Unrealized
Have you ever left everything you had on the playing field? Walked off knowing you were too tired to lift your arms, unsure about how you were actually going to drive home? That you had given everything you had for your team? And worst of all, your best wasn't enough?
It's only a game, but it is so much more than just a game.
We came in last night needing a win to get in the playoffs. A loss or tie, and we were out. We played against a team that we had never beaten, never played a close game against. And twenty minutes before game time, we found out our top defenseman wasn't playing.
But our team never gives up. We have battled with shortened benches before, and last night was no exception. We got brilliant games out of our offense, Shaya and Tzadok and Ephraim and Sidney caused havoc, controlled the puck, forechecked and scored goals. The defense played strong too, fighting for pucks in corners and pushing people around. There was Ralph clearing out the area in front of the net, and Moshe making key stops.
The goaltending was there too, keeping us in the game for the entire three periods.
The first period ended with us in the lead, 3-2, and after two, we led 5-3.
We knew they weren't going to give up, and proved us right, even scoring a shorthanded goal when they tied it up at 6 with a few minutes to go.
Just a few minutes to go, and needing a go ahead goal to take the lead, Ephraim picked up a loose puck and slid it by for a 7-6 lead.
Were we thinking it was over. Did we get lazy. Or just run out of gas. The puck was loose, our offenseman didn't come back to cover his man, and just like that, we were tied at 7-7.
With less than two minutes to go, we put out our best scorers. Their goalie made a few great saves, and we watched as the time disappeared off the clock. Off our season.
7-7 final. A great game. Entertaining to the twenty people who were around to watch the game. But heart breaking. With the loss, we lost our chance to make the playoffs, and fight for the championship.
There is no next game for us. This was our last with this league, at least for a while. Next season we will be switching to a Sunday league, with different teams, different rules, and a different style of play.
It's only a game, but it is so much more than just a game.
We came in last night needing a win to get in the playoffs. A loss or tie, and we were out. We played against a team that we had never beaten, never played a close game against. And twenty minutes before game time, we found out our top defenseman wasn't playing.
But our team never gives up. We have battled with shortened benches before, and last night was no exception. We got brilliant games out of our offense, Shaya and Tzadok and Ephraim and Sidney caused havoc, controlled the puck, forechecked and scored goals. The defense played strong too, fighting for pucks in corners and pushing people around. There was Ralph clearing out the area in front of the net, and Moshe making key stops.
The goaltending was there too, keeping us in the game for the entire three periods.
The first period ended with us in the lead, 3-2, and after two, we led 5-3.
We knew they weren't going to give up, and proved us right, even scoring a shorthanded goal when they tied it up at 6 with a few minutes to go.
Just a few minutes to go, and needing a go ahead goal to take the lead, Ephraim picked up a loose puck and slid it by for a 7-6 lead.
Were we thinking it was over. Did we get lazy. Or just run out of gas. The puck was loose, our offenseman didn't come back to cover his man, and just like that, we were tied at 7-7.
With less than two minutes to go, we put out our best scorers. Their goalie made a few great saves, and we watched as the time disappeared off the clock. Off our season.
7-7 final. A great game. Entertaining to the twenty people who were around to watch the game. But heart breaking. With the loss, we lost our chance to make the playoffs, and fight for the championship.
There is no next game for us. This was our last with this league, at least for a while. Next season we will be switching to a Sunday league, with different teams, different rules, and a different style of play.
posted by Air Time at 9:35 AM
2 Comments:
Sorry to hear about the game last night. Thats a tough way to end a season. You guys are my favorite team to play against. It's always a hard fought game, but still respectful and clean. Sorry to hear you will not be in the league for awhile. I hopr you do come back sometime. Hey, if you happen to need another player for your sunday night league, I would be interested. I can play forward or and just as happy to play defense. Anyway, hope to see you guys around again. take care
Chris - Thanks for the offer to play. I think we have enough people for this coming season.
We liked playing SlackJaws, and hope you guys are still around when we come back to Dumars.
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