Hockey! (for real this time)

As I mentioned the other day it was impossible for my brother and I to get on the ice due to rink renovations. Renovations finished at long last and just in time for my brother to return to town. Unfortunately for us, everyone else was just as excited about the ice as we were.

Today was spent in eager anticipation about playing. Honestly, the last time I was this excited to hit the ice I was midget-age and playing at Mimico Arena. That’s a very long time. Since the ice was so crowded there really wasn’t room to bag skate but it just felt great to be out there. I absolutely loved playing in a visor. It’s not a small visor, to be sure, but I learned to tilt it in such a way that I’m not constantly fogging it up. This was actually my first time in a non-instructor role getting to see the ice without a full cage. Not that playing in a full cage would bother me; I’d definitely wear a cage again if I was playing a real game. What can I say? I like my teeth.

Continuing with the hockey theme: Did you see that first goal in the Pens/Caps game?? Poor Fleury, that was an incredibly unlucky bounce. Sucks that the Bruins/Canes game is on at the same time. I want to see them both! You know what’s going to be the most exciting series? It’s a no brainer, Jim Balsillie taking on Gary Bettman and the NHL. I’m completely serious.

I’d love to see a second team in Southern Ontario. I pray for it. I’m a fan of anything that forces the Toronto Maple Leafs to at least try and be better. My expecations are so low that even the appearance of making an effor would appease me. It’d also be great for Southern Ontario as whole. I completely agree that there are enough fans to support two teams. The Leafs haven’t made the playoffs in the last few years and they still sell out. As usual, Bob McKenzie has great coverage of everything going on.