Hockey parents really are the best fans. They trudge through ice covered and snow piled roads to get to a hockey tournament to ensure their child’s team has an enriched weekend of hockey away from home. They take over four hours to get to a hotel in bad road conditions for a trip that should take two. The parents sit in the bleachers cheering on their team and hear others heckle from the stands. Of course, only so much can be heard before we crack and words are exchanged. The quiet one speaks up in an attempt to have an end to the unwelcome yelling. It always is worse when there has been a fight, or many on the ice.
Parents are on edge as they are concerned for all participants playing during the game. The game ends and there is relief on the faces of the fans as most ultimately want to be on route to the hotel or restaurant without worry for someone who was hurt and especially relieved that any bad hits did not result in a severe injury of another player.
That is the heart and soul of a hockey parent, particularly a mom, so I understand from chatting with the other moms at our most recent gathering of the minds at the arena.
The mitchell Local League teams attended a tournament at Wainfleet near Welland during the weekend of January 13. The boys came out rusty having not played a game in a number of weeks due to weather, Christmas and scheduling conflicts. That showed as plays were hard to make and the boys got the feel for their team and the opposition. Passes were fumbled and breakaways easily intercepted. We left our 8 am game against the London Oakdale boys knowing that we tried but had some things to work on or our next game at 5 pm.
Returning to the arena after having lunch at the Falls, most sporting a smiling face as their restaurant choice did not disappoint, the boys took to the ice once against to play New Hamburg. There were many rushes down the ice and improved passing. Shots on net were strong and one could see the boys were getting their hockey minds back on the ice. With that came more attitude beginning received by our or boys and definitely being given by our boys. Again moments some fans hold their breathe on. The Mitchell boys played a strong game and showed their love for the game and pride in team faithfulness as they left the arena following their second loss. We later were informed that we played the two top teams in the tourney and that those teams are also amongst the top in their area.
A night on the town was requested and the boys went in groups to check out some Niagara attractions including a 4d movie and the arcade. Fresh minds after a good night of fun and some sleeping the Wainfleet Arena at 11 am Sunday morning. Our opposition was once again the London team we played the day before. The boys took to the ice with strength and confidence. The puck dropped and the game began. Shots on net fired with scurrying at the net. The puck goes in...one for London. The game continues with the same action and speed. The mitchell meteors are playing well and shots are hitting the net. The defence and goalie for London are on their gaming keeping our men and the puck out of the net. The Mitchell boys are defending well at our end and our goalie is keeping us in the game. The Mitchell offence is pressing hard. London presses back and tempers begin to build. Into the third period we wait in anticipation for Mitchell to regain some confidence and a goal would certainly do so. A small hit into the boards sends the players into a frenzy and a fight ensues. Players on both teams become more aggressive. Penalties are regular (throughout the game) and our no contact rules are again forgotten. One Mitchell player is sent to the room and the boys are struggling to play hockey. A strong attempt at the beginning of the game however throughout it looked like the demeanours changed and the team gave up on themselves. We could not move on to the next level.
You can’t give up boys! You need to push to the end as you never know if you might turn it around. The same happens in life. Don’t give up working toward your “goals.”
A big thank you to the Wainfleet tournament organizers and volunteers for inviting us to participate. It was a well run tournament. Also a big thanks to the refs who had their work cut out for them with the attitudes of 15 to 17 year old boys. Lastly, thanks to the coaches of the Mitchell team for being such good role models during the tournament.
The tournament definitely brought the parents together and we shared a lot of laughs over the two night stay. I enjoyed that time with all of you. Thanks also to my chauffeur for the weekend!