The 2010 Flames played a pair of games in the Eastern Hockey League over the weekend. They ended up losing 4-3, and 3-2. Both games were obviously tightly played. But there was feeling (to me) over the weekend just didn’t seem quite right.
Out of four games scheduled for the weekend, only one was played. Between the flu going around and varying degrees of a snowstorm across the state, two games were postponed due to weather, and one because a team had no players due to sickness.
It’s the roster. They’re our kids. The ones we love and the ones we drive the miles for.
They all measure up whether we know it or not, remember, we aren’t the ones.
They wear the numbers on the line, if we did anything different, it would only be more.
We should give them space and take them home, odors, and all the gear, our loves, our sons.
For the first time in weeks, the 2010 Flames had most of their players in the line-up for a game. There are still a couple of dear players out, and we hold them in our thoughts and prayers. Yes, really, we do. Kids should be afforded the joy and unencumbered freedoms to be young, healthy, and active. So, yes, we really do hope, pray, and ache for a full roster again, healthy, and having the times of their lives.
It seems that the 2010 Flames team has not been whole for weeks and weeks now. With 2 t0 7 players missing from the lineup in any given game since early November, the wear and tear has taken a toll. The trip on the Saturday before Christmas left them with nothing up north.
The 2010 Flames played just one game over the weekend which was a major blessing to the team. They were able to beat the Plymouth Panthers, 4-2 at JFK Memorial Coliseum.
With the annual Army-Navy (Army won, 17-11 at Gillette Stadium) game being played just up the road, the 2010 Flames played three games against the Providence Hockey Club in Rhode Island over the weekend. With Providence being closer to the stadium than Boston, the Rhode Island capital was buzzing with activity. On the ice, the Flames played their hearts out.
For the second consecutive month, the 2010 Flames posted a 9-2 (won-lost) record. Going into the first week of December the team was 26-5 for the season. That’s a pretty impressive record for any team.
Can you believe it’s December already? The 2010 Flames kicked off the month of December with three games in 24 hours. All three were home games which was a bonus. Next week they play three games in Rhode Island.
For the team we have and the hockey family we are apart of, we give thanks.
Wins, losses, and games galore matter less than the people involved, if I may be frank.
While I was away in Canada, surrounded by family as we paid tribute to my Uncle Vernon, the 2010 Flames were busy. They played four games over the weekend, one in Vermont, two in NH, and one in Massachusetts. They managed three victories, three for the road.
Thank you to our Veterans. Thank you. Seriously, what else do you say? They are willing to sacrifice their own life for the betterment of ours, based on a belief system that relies on fellow humans, many of whom would never lay down their life for another. Thank you.
The 2010 Flames played three games over the weekend. All three games were played in New Hampshire where some of us would still stand and fight for the right to “Live Free or Die”. Happy Veterans Day! I truly wish that all of our Veterans were/are happy. We should do much to make sure that they are.
November started with a thumping down at Boch Ice Center, as the Blazers handed out a 8-1 beat down to the Flames on Saturday. Then the Flames traveled up to the new and improved Pop Whalen arena to play Back Bay, and won, 7-2. So a split for the weekend, against a pair big, physical teams.
The 2010 Flames finished the month of October with a 6-1 win at JFK Memorial Coliseum. The win gave the Flames a 7-0 record in league play during the month, including a 6-game win streak since the trip to DC. They head into November following an impressive October run.
3 wins and 250 miles later, the Flames earned three victories, and puck possession, teamwork, and goaltending were the keys to the victories. Now it’s Monday night and the team is back on the ice for practice.
The 2010 Flames played their opening game in the Granite State League on Saturday against Hanover. The Flames got their legs going and skated to a 6-3 win in the GSL opener. Then on Sunday, the team made the long trip down to The Bog. The 2010 Flames played the Bay State Breakers Hoyle and they were able to erupt for 3 goals in 3 minutes in the second period, and earned a 6-1 road victory.
The 2010 Flames are made up of players born in 2010 and 2011. They are a U14 Minor 2 team (meaning there is a Minor 1 team ahead of them) in their home organization. I have called this team a development team for years. Yet, every year, this team seems to be a great place for players and families to land. Monday they played a very good team in the Congressional Cup Fall Classic SemiFinal, the Stamford Sharks (U14 Major), and lost, 9-1.
The 2010 Flames battled and found a way to win a tough game against the Delaware Ducks, 4-0.
During the game I was talking with an official for the tournament who was off duty for the game. He was a real nice guy, and we chatted some. He asked me about our team, our team dynamic. I told him how much the kids have had enjoyed playing with this group primarily due to the kids being able to play in all situations, line after line, shorthanded, power play, end of game, etc. installing confidence in the kids from top to bottom no matter how you slice it. I told him that we were fortunate to have a coach, one voice, that just let the kids play.
After all the players and assorted members of their families arrived in Washington, DC or Sterling, VA to begin tournament play, it was time to take the ice. The first game was scheduled at 1:50pm and started a few minutes late. The 2010 Flames took a 2-0 lead after one period and squeezed a third goal out of the second period, before adding three more in the final period. The Flames were off to a good start with a 6-0 victory on Saturday afternoon.
While sitting in my backyard during the early morning hours this weekend while sipping hot coffee, I took time to pray, to ponder, and to slow down. I slowed down in order to embrace the quality of life I am fortunate to have.
A night of broken sleep led to another cool, early morning. I didn’t rest as well as I wanted to but I was better rested than when I went to sleep the night before. I started moving, and praying along the way, to go forward and go with the flow.
Is it me, or do long days seem to run together with more long days? Are long days just long because I am overtired, or are the days just really long? Either way, the day started cool, windy, and bright. Clean. Clear. Crisp. A fresh start.
May, 2023 – To My Friend, Ben – It was November, 2015 and despite having three older kids that played sports, including varsity sports at Goffstown High School, we had not experienced hockey at GHS…
Thank you Coach Slocum, not just for the 16 years. But for the joys, the celebrations, and maybe even a few tears.
Undaunted by adversity, and what others may deem; you were fair and honest. Years weren’t about you, but rather, the team.
Your teams exceeded predictions and set records, the wins they did amass. But nobody can take away your 16 seasons of exuding class.
The program must carry on, but it, I, will miss you. And this winter when I’m in the booth, I hope you’ll be on a beach, with a view.
I know that you would be the last one to do what I am about to do, but this one, Ben, this one is all about you.
So, spring of ’23 and I roll out some words in this rhyme, a Thank You Coach Slocum, words and numbers one last time.