Hello New York and everywhere else, welcome to the Birdcage. The following is just a little something to help you get pumped up for the upcoming season.
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You wake up and if it's a big game like the playoffs or a division rival, you know it right away. Game day is different than other days, that's just a fact of life when you're a hockey player. The little aches and pains are overcome with some stretching. Coffee and Advil for breakfast, Mmmmm. The rituals kick in. Doing certain things in certain ways give an order to the day. Not that you will lose if you don't do these things.....but do these things you must.
The concentration has begun. You deal with distractions but never lose focus. You make sure the extra adrenaline flow is curtailed so as not to waste it. It's the calm before the storm. You go about your day doing the same things others are doing but they know it's game day by the look in your eye. Words of encouragement are acknowledged. As your mind wanders you inevitably begin to feel fear. Fear of losing, of getting hurt, of letting the team down. You know that you can't think this way so you go back to the mindless rituals that allow you to clear the mind of negative thoughts. The day can't pass fast enough. Finally it's time to go to the rink. Thank the Hockey Gods. You got through another day without angering them.
You arrive at the rink early as you always do. A quick glance at the sky let's you acknowledge a higher power as it's not possible that the things you have done in the past or the things you are about to do could possibly be done by you alone. Inside, workers at the rink say hello knowing you'll nod but not speak. Straight to the locker room you find your spot, the same spot you always take. It's not superstition, it's ritualistic. You lay out your equipment as your teammates begin to arrive. Some joke, masking their own fears and demons while others silently perform their own rituals. Each player has his own way, things that work for him. At some point your teammates will remind each other of an opponent who has earned some revenge. You smile realizing that both you and your teammates are prepared to do whatever it's going to take to win. It's never silent even though some guys are quietly taping sticks. Others engage in nervous chatter.
As you undress your street clothes you realize the hard part is over. The clock is now on and in control. You put on your first layers, your pants then skates. You begin to visualize yourself moving correctly from side to side. While stretching you can see in your mind the different types of saves you will make. Now it's time to put on your equipment. Left pad first, always. You finish with just enough time to hear the pre game instructions from the coaching staff. The guys are reminding each other and themselves of the importance of the game. "C'mon boys! Let's get 'em". It's time to take the ice.
With the beginning of warm ups a whole new set of rituals begin. You skate the rink a few times with a nod to the opposing keeper and then take your spot to stretch. You glance at the rest of your opponents with distain. No longer holding back you can feel the adrenaline flowing through your veins. Preparing the crease is only interrupted by the taps of teammates sticks to your pads. You need to feel the puck. The first few shots are slow and right at you on purpose. As the shot velocity picks up you move with ease into the right positions. Out, in....left then right. You snap one out of the air with your glove and you know that's it, you're warmed up. The horn sounds and warm ups are over. Everything now is as it should be. The noise in the arena is one of anticipation but you don't hear it. You can however hear your teammates exchanging last minute info on your opponents.
It's gametime and you glide to your prepared crease. Down on one knee before the left post you tap the post three times. "You and me Ma, just you and me." The last of your teammates taps your leg pad and now it's done. All the preparations, all the rituals are over and now it's time to do what you came here for. You feel good as you have a decent sweat going, you're loose and your mind is on one thing and one thing only, stopping the puck. One last splash of water and you turn and face center ice. The teams have lined up and the ref has his hand in the air. You nod as he looks at you asking if you're ready without speaking. There is no place else in the world you'd rather be than this place at this time. Drop the puck as you are ready to win. If the Hockey Gods smile on you that night, then win you will.
----}- Bird
Posted by Bird at August 05, 2005 02:20 PMeMail this entry!
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