being Nanc the Net

Okay, I'm stoked.

I still can't speak much and hack a liter of phelm around hourly.

But... I'm pretty stoked.

I have a hobby, like about 1/3 of my fellow canucks have: hockey. I watch and play it. Ice and ball hockey, so it's an all year activity for me. I luv it. It pumps my adrenaline plus is a great stress reliever. I started playing as a forward before my training bra years. However I am the antithesis of the song "She's like the wind". I'm big boned and according to the BMI index obese, so I wasn't banking on hockey to build my nest egg. However one year, my coach suggested that I could put my physique to good use: play net. I'm big... but that meant I filled up the net. I groaned, I moaned... playing net is like being the sacrificial lamb. Usually if you played net, it was because you drew the shortest straw in the dressing room. However I decided to give it try. The first game I hated it... the second game, meh. But somewhere after that, the position started to feel right. Soon, I traded in my gloves for a blocker and mitt, and for the past 15 years never skated outside the crease unless of course I knew I could play the puck to my D-wings

Am I good? Naw, I consider myself average. However this depends on which team I play with. My provincial league is high-caliber, thus I'm just an average goalie. I can make some big saves. But I also allow crap shots in as well. However with unversity rec teams... it's a lil different. I'm one of more experienced players and plus since I call the goal position, everyone else on the team is relieved that there's no dreaded straw drawings. Thus to my rec teams, I'm considered "amazing".

Tonight we had ball hockey finals for my university rec team. A T-SHIRT was on the line folks. That's our holy grail in which we strive for: a 100% cotton T-shirt. So, despite my lungs at 50% capacity, filled with phelm and a voice softer than a mouse, I'm committed. I still suit up. We believed that we had a pretty good shot in nabbing it. However within 2 minutes into the game we're 0-1. FUCK! The opposing team had us on the defensive for most of the 1st period. We weren't getting any chances in their zone. Despite the goal that was my fault (I do take blame for some goals and that was definitely my error... I was late shifting), I was doing pretty good. I figured they had about 15 good chances which I denied them.

2nd period, we're determine to get even. Half way into it: BINGO! 1-1

Alright, now we've got a game. But still need another for the win. They have us on the run. We're getting more chances though in their end. However 3 minutes left in the game, a shot into back boards... which you need to know are just make-shift boards from 1 ft benches on their sides. This is a REC league, we're playing in a standard gym. Unfortunately, the boards aren't continuous and easily moveable with minor scuffles. My D-wing passes behind the net to my other D-wing, however the ball catches an exposed bench edge and gets deflected outward... to THREE tangos! Scuffle.. shoot, save, scuffle... rebound, I dive... too late. 1-2.

The clock is ticking. FUCK FUCK FUCK

However, I see determination in my team mates. They are pissed just as me over that frickin' board edge. Being pissed about something can work to your advantage though... you start to REALLY play. But the clock is ticking, the ball is passed back to zone from zone... no real chances.

45 seconds left, nothing much to gain, the opposing team is stick handling the ball to tick down the clock.

30 seconds, we're starting to think who wants another crappy Tee anyways...

23 seconds, Laura takes the ball and runs it to their zone, bats it to the back boards

18 seconds, they try to dump it back out, but fail, my D-wing blocks it, dumps it back in

10 seconds, a shot! DANG wide

7 seconds, well there's always next year

5 seconds, a scuffle in front of the net, a shot! nope, rebound! AUGH... but Connie's able to get a piece and...

2 seconds, SCORES!

ZOMG! UNBELIEVABLE! Even the refs are in shock.

But but but WAIT... this is the FINALS... tied game. Only enough crappy Tees for one team!

Now the words that every player dreads to hear: SHOOT OUT

At this point, I honestly don't care... I run over and congrats my team for pulling off a HUGE upset. Is the pressure on? Sure... but honestly I've handled this scenario before. Both good n bad outcomes. I'm just stoked about that last second game tieing goal.

The refs come over, the captain needs to choose the shooters for our team, I go back, don on my painted mask and start focusing on what's going to happen next. I see that the opposing team is picking their best player to start in the line up, so the first shot will set the tone.

Now I must let you all in on an aspect about myself. When I play hockey, I'm deaf. For day to day living, I wear two aids which enable me to function so-so and I speak two languages fluently. But the mask make it impossible for me to wear aids while playing. So I just go au naturelle. This is often a plus for me, as I can maintain total focus during the game and not be distracted by colourful remarks from players and fans. My team mates know this. So in order to pump me up, they bang HARD on the wooden floor to cheer as I can feel the vibrations.

It begins... I size my opponent up right away. A lot about being a goalie is psychological. You must read your opponent's body moves, but also become menacing to them. Stand your ground. So bring it on biatch! She fakes a shot then just shoots straight ahead, easy save, I smother that ball and feel the floor come alive.

Our forward Sara L is up first for us... she takes her time, shoots. BOOM! 1-0 for us.

Half way there girls!

I look at my 2nd opponent. She's predictable... she'll try to shoot left, I make a half butterfly slide to my right and bat that orange beaner away. The floor comes alive again.

Next for us Christine. Strong player for us again. Like Sara, she takes her time, shoots, but too late, their goalie bats it away.

Final player... if I save this one, we go home with our holy cotton grail. The floor roars for me. Then all goes quiet. The player advances, I get into position, the ball comes closer.

Now freeze.

Looking back on it, I see everything in slo-mo. The tension in the gym was high and all eyes were on me. Eventhough I don't hear it, I feel the gasp of the shot and my decision on how to bend my legs. Thinking about this, this is why I'm majorly stoked. Because eventhough it's a rec league for a crappy Tee, for 5 seconds there tonight, it was up to me. There are few times in a person's life that you have a moment like this. This is why I LUV hockey and being a goalie. This is my moment. Whatever happens, I own it...

... along with a shiney new crappy T-shirt.

Final score 3-2, WTG Roaches!