Day 165 Ice Hockey Is Like Coming Home

Walking into the locker room, I was not sure I could remember how to put on my gear. Regardless, I was 2nd to last to leave the locker room and I was in full sweat. Who needs a warm up?

But once I hoped over the boards and my skates touched the ice, I was transformed. I can't remember the last time I felt so alive. Everything about hockey is linked directly to my soul; the smell of the pads drenched in sweat like dripping sponge; my foot scrunged into the boot so tight and comfortable that the skate literally feels like it is me; the soft sound of ice shaving under the blade; the cool air filling my lungs as I breath in and out so deeply that my ribs hurt; my aortas' pounding so hard it feels like it's going to open up my chest (just like the Grinch when the spirit of Christmas enters is heart) but also so hard it feels like a two cylinder piston with turbo.

This must be what Bobby Orr felt when he took the ice in Parry Sound, Ontario at the age of six.

The real story is I stunk up the ice. Sixy Five minutes of ice time--pure torture. The first time I looked at the clock was the 38 min mark (meaning I had only played 28 minutes), I thought, "I still have to skate THIRTY EIGHT MORE MINUTES. What the hell am I doing here?" I was ready to go home. But I stuck it out. We were losing 2-1. And I was already minus one (meaning the other team scored a goal when I was on the ice). Well, I ended up minus 5 and we lost 6-1. So If I had not been on the ice at all maybe the game would have been tied. LOL!!!

As I walked out of the locker room, I understood why I love hockey so much. It is the physical battle almost medieval. I am still convinced that hockey players are the strongest physical athletes in any sport. The are in the best shape bar non. I challenge anyone who thinks hockey is stupid to put on all the gear and play. For me it is a work out that take you to the edge. I would love to see Tony Hawk put on skates. PX90 would become pointless. I am starting to feel sore. By Wednesday I will hardly be able to move.

I have never felt so good after playing so bad and then losing in all my years of hockey.