The Iceholes are back in our men's league. That is great news to me. While I love my wife and kids more than anything, there is nothing like hanging out with friends and entertaining ourselves during some competitive hockey games for two hours each week. So far we lost our first game 4-3 and won the second 6-5 on the back of our goalie. If not for him we would have lost 17-6!! He definitely stole that game for us.
As it was a close game going into the third period, I told all of the forwards, "Do NOT take any penalties". I knew that if we went shorthanded, the game could get out of hand quickly. I'm wise that way! :)
What happened in the last twenty seconds was slightly different. We were up 6-5 and just prior to my shift to close out the game we were on a power play. My very good friend, Larry, was literally tackled trying to carry the puck through the offensive zone and was holding his shoulder when he came off the ice. No call. Then my shift. Nick, a good worker and rookie in the truest sense of the word. He had not played hockey until about 6 months ago. He was taken hard into the boards and he was also grabbing his shoulder and was very slow getting up. This is a no-check league. I was not happy about that non-call either. The puck came back to our end and was taken behind our net. 10 seconds left. The puck was thrown out front. The best palyer on their team, #22, was in front. I pushed him out of the crease (probably a cross check). When he regained his balance, another friend of mine Kevin, who was bumped on the play, had his head down. Upon seeing Kevin's head down, #22 decided that he would knee Kevin in the head. At that point I completely lost it. I'm stupid that way! :(
Now is the slightly embarrassing part. I just jumped on or at least attempted to jump on this idiot for the simple reason of explaining to him that it was unacceptable for him to knee my teammate and friend. OK, so it was to punch the shit out of him for being dirty. Either way, not a great thing to do for anyone, let alone a 33 year old with his wife, kids, sister, niece and many friends watching and doing so at my place of employment. There were more words exchanged with another idiot who could not shut his trap throughout the game so I decked him on the way to the box. Again, not a smart idea. FLASHBACK... to me, the captain of the team, telling the forwards, "Do NOT take any penalties".
Luckily, the game ended with us winning and my penalty not effecting the end of the game score-wise. However, after two days reflecting on my actions, I am only embarressed that my family saw that. I am not at all sorry that I tried to fight this guy. Thanks to Kevin for not letting me get up after I flipped over the guy though because if it was deemed a fight, I would have been kicked out of the league.
How pathetic am I that I acted like that and feel no remorse, in fact knowing that if my friends and teammates were treated like that again, I would do the same thing?
I am a likable guy. I have alot of friends. I am a little hot tempered at times, especially when I fear that I am being bullied. I think that comes from the two years that I was in a wheelchair. In any event, need help!!! Maybe I can act my age next week.
