Random thoughts....
As the weekend gets closer, we are reluctantly changing gears from what has happened to what will happen.
This DU team, and its fans, must find the inner strength to come together and play (and cheer) with inspiration, passion and purpose. The way the team responds to their fallen teammate, their ever depleting roster and their arch-rival itching to get the Gold Pan back presents an amazing opportunity for this DU team of brothers to define their collective identity. Right now, they are .500 hockey team that is now sitting at something of a cross-roads in their season. Addtionally, we DU fans also need to come together to put aside our stoic resolve for a whille and simply find our joy and catharsis in the all-out support of our players and our school. The team needs us, and, frankly, we need them.
I think this weekend's performance will tell us a lot about that identity and how they respond to the really difficult set of cards they've had to play this year. How can they deal with intense emotion, stress, distraction, doubt, friendship and duty? Coach Gwozdecky talked about them "completing the mission". They now have a clearly defined inspiration for their season, but they are a young and somewhat hampered bunch right now. The old saying goes that adversity doesn't build character, but does reveal it. Gwoz has a very tough coaching job in front of him as he must turn a range of new emotions and uncharted territory as he channels the output of these young men into something hopefully positive.
I want to see the whole DU community rally around this team and give them the emotional boost that a full building and and arch rival provides. While nothing compares to what the Martin family and the DU players and staff are feeling right now, I will not discount the emotions that we die-hard fans are feeling, too. Many of us are also sharing this sense of being kicked in the gut - anger, pain, blame, constant questioning and a real deep fear for a young man and the program we all follow. DU fans are missing sleep, calling each other often, and sitting on their computers waiting for the next shred of information, wishing we all could help in some way.... Sometimes, this board is a even form of therapy and connection, as we share our hopes in the silence of night with others who feel what we feel...
The best therapy right now for us fans is to help Magness become the place where we all gather to let out a week's worth of shared hell in some serious fan thunder. I want to hear the student section erupt. I want to hear the fight song. I want our fans standing and yelling and giving these guys the support they need to complete their mission. I know I am going to shed some tears when they come out of the tunnel and I don't care.
Our team needs us now more than ever, but in reality, I think we need them just as much.
