Who here actually plays hockey?

[dubbie31]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

You know what I can't stand? People who come into a pick up game and play like there are scouts in the stands and league points are on the line. Gain some perspective, people.

I took a two-hander to shins (not a big deal), but then this same guy crosschecks me twice in what's supposed to be a non-checking game. I said something to him after the game, telling him he has to cool it because he's acting like an ***. He responds that I have to "get the sand out of my vag." I detail the crap he did to me, while two others are saying the junk he pulled with them and then he finally apologizes as I'm walking out of the locker room to my car. I really hate when jackasses play pickup hockey.

That is part of the reason I have hung up my skates. I'd played since I was 4, but too many idiots out there think its the Stanley Cup and I got sick of trying to avoid cheap shots. With my knees shot to hell, no need to risk it anymore.

 

[HockeyBum]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

You know what I can't stand? People who come into a pick up game and play like there are scouts in the stands and league points are on the line. Gain some perspective, people.

I took a two-hander to shins (not a big deal), but then this same guy crosschecks me twice in what's supposed to be a non-checking game. I said something to him after the game, telling him he has to cool it because he's acting like an ***. He responds that I have to "get the sand out of my vag." I detail the crap he did to me, while two others are saying the junk he pulled with them and then he finally apologizes as I'm walking out of the locker room to my car. I really hate when jackasses play pickup hockey.

So it's probably a good thing I went to Mariucci last night instead of playing hockey with you guys. Was he asked not to come back?

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

So it's probably a good thing I went to Mariucci last night instead of playing hockey with you guys. Was he asked not to come back?

Did you take Bob's tickets?

And no, Kirk did speak to him, though. He's on the Ak Bar team, so I think Kirk might be reluctant to pull the trigger. He might say something after this coming weekend - the Hockey for the Heart tournament.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

So we had a league game tonight, and it got a little heated/chippy, starting up early in the game, and the big instance happening around the end of the second period. This guy on the other team comes barreling into our defensive zone while the only other skater down the zone was one of our defenseman, taking the puck from our goalie. Unabated, their guy steamrolls right over our guy, right next to our goalie. The refs' (both of them) arms go up immediately, now waiting for them to touch up for the whistle. In the meantime, our goalie (HockeyBum) starts tracking down the guy who plowed our teammate, swinging his stick like a mad man the whole time! As soon as HockeyBum started swinging his paddle the whistle blows. We have Ogie Oglethorpe in net, folks! Their guy gets a major and ejected - I think that was for jaw-jacking with the refs after the call - and then HockeyBum got a minor for slashing, which I had to serve. Our games are run-time, and that probably ate up three minutes of clock to get that all straightened away, on the conservative side.

We ended up winning the game 2-0. My line got the first goal, using the age old game plan of plant-the-fat-guy-in-front-of-the-net-to-screen-the-goalie. It worked like a charm, they couldn't budge me. The goalie got all flustered, their d-man trying to tie me up in front, completely ignoring the other winger while he slammed it home.

 

[HockeyBum]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

So we had a league game tonight, and it got a little heated/chippy, starting up early in the game, and the big instance happening around the end of the second period. This guy on the other team comes barreling into our defensive zone while the only other skater down the zone was one of our defenseman, taking the puck from our goalie. Unabated, their guy steamrolls right over our guy, right next to our goalie. The refs' (both of them) arms go up immediately, now waiting for them to touch up for the whistle. In the meantime, our goalie (HockeyBum) starts tracking down the guy who plowed our teammate, swinging his stick like a mad man the whole time! As soon as HockeyBum started swinging his paddle the whistle blows. We have Ogie Oglethorpe in net, folks! Their guy gets a major and ejected - I think that was for jaw-jacking with the refs after the call - and then HockeyBum got a minor for slashing, which I had to serve. Our games are run-time, and that probably ate up three minutes of clock to get that all straightened away, on the conservative side.

We ended up winning the game 2-0. My line got the first goal, using the age old game plan of plant-the-fat-guy-in-front-of-the-net-to-screen-the-goalie. It worked like a charm, they couldn't budge me. The goalie got all flustered, their d-man trying to tie me up in front, completely ignoring the other winger while he slammed it home.

Yeah, not my finest moment, that's for sure. I've been playing in that league since 2003 and I've never seen such a blatant cheap shot. Still, that was dumb on my part.

 

[DaveStPaul]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Noob question: What do you wear when you skate outdoors?

I've never played much, but now that my 8-yr-old is playing, and since we live right next to a city park outdoor rink (Groveland in Saint Paul), there'll be lots of playing over at the park this winter. Any basic advice is appreciated; otherwise I'll be the guy in jeans and a parka. Snow pants? Long johns? Those expensive tights they sell at like REI? Thin gloves for under my hockey gloves? Etc.

Thanks very much!

 

[ericredaxe]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

So we had a league game tonight, and it got a little heated/chippy, starting up early in the game, and the big instance happening around the end of the second period. This guy on the other team comes barreling into our defensive zone while the only other skater down the zone was one of our defenseman, taking the puck from our goalie. Unabated, their guy steamrolls right over our guy, right next to our goalie. The refs' (both of them) arms go up immediately, now waiting for them to touch up for the whistle. In the meantime, our goalie (HockeyBum) starts tracking down the guy who plowed our teammate, swinging his stick like a mad man the whole time! As soon as HockeyBum started swinging his paddle the whistle blows. We have Ogie Oglethorpe in net, folks! Their guy gets a major and ejected - I think that was for jaw-jacking with the refs after the call - and then HockeyBum got a minor for slashing, which I had to serve. Our games are run-time, and that probably ate up three minutes of clock to get that all straightened away, on the conservative side.

We ended up winning the game 2-0. My line got the first goal, using the age old game plan of plant-the-fat-guy-in-front-of-the-net-to-screen-the-goalie. It worked like a charm, they couldn't budge me. The goalie got all flustered, their d-man trying to tie me up in front, completely ignoring the other winger while he slammed it home.

These type of plays (no offense intended) is pretty much why I stopped playing in men's leagues. It only takes one person to make everybody forget that they all have to get up and go to work in the morning.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Noob question: What do you wear when you skate outdoors?

I've never played much, but now that my 8-yr-old is playing, and since we live right next to a city park outdoor rink (Groveland in Saint Paul), there'll be lots of playing over at the park this winter. Any basic advice is appreciated; otherwise I'll be the guy in jeans and a parka. Snow pants? Long johns? Those expensive tights they sell at like REI? Thin gloves for under my hockey gloves? Etc.

Thanks very much!

For pants, just wear what you're comfortable wearing. I have an outdoor league and when it's above ~10 degrees, I'll just wear sweatpants over my shin pads and cup girdle. When it gets colder than that, I'll break out the long johns, but the ice generally goes to hell, so you're better off not taking to the ice those days. Dress for the weather and take into account the amount of skating you'll do as it'll affect how warm you get.

As for the gloves, if you're wearing hockey gloves, those should do fine for the relatively warm days. I do have a pair of thin stretch gloves that I'll wear under my hockey gloves, and those held up nicely in the -15 to -10 weather of the US Pond Hockey Championships a few years ago.

Rather than a parka, I'd suggest a heavy sweatshirt over a a t-shirt and thermal knit shirt (like a Henley shirt) during the warmer days. On the colder days, augment that with a polar fleece, and you'll be fine. Again, take into account how much skating you'll do as the more you work, the warmer you'll be.

These type of plays (no offense intended) is pretty much why I stopped playing in men's leagues. It only takes one person to make everybody forget that they all have to get up and go to work in the morning.

Yeah, some guys get carried away and they're generally mocked by everyone else when they start yapping at the refs - even by their own teammates. Thankfully, I've only really had one issue myself that caused me to rethink playing, but I'm still at it. Even then, it wasn't an egregious act, I just slid into the boards wrong after getting bumped while off balance.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Out on the pond I like wind pants over the shin pads. I have a pair of lined nylon wind pants with zips on the legs that make it easy to put the shin guards on. I have a pullover wind shirt kind of thing and then the layers under depend on the temp. I like under-armor type shirts (the cheap Target brand are just fine).

I learned the value of the shin guards early on with the mites. Getting your shins whacked by errant sticks is no fun.

 

[MaizeRage]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Noob question: What do you wear when you skate outdoors?

I've got a pair of fleece sweat pants from Old Navy that worked really well for pond hockey. If it's super-cold, I'll put on a pair of gym shorts underneath. I just wear a fairly heavy sweatshirt up top. Again, if it's super-cold, I'll go with a hoodie(more coverage of the neck area), and an extra layer like a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath. I don't think gloves are necessary. Hockey gloves block the wind, and your hands sweat more than you think. My feet are what tend to get cold, so I'll often double up on athletic socks. or thicker wool socks would work as well.

It's really about comfort and warmth than looking good or spending a lot of money.

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Out on the pond I like wind pants over the shin pads. I have a pair of lined nylon wind pants with zips on the legs that make it easy to put the shin guards on. I have a pullover wind shirt kind of thing and then the layers under depend on the temp. I like under-armor type shirts (the cheap Target brand are just fine).

I learned the value of the shin guards early on with the mites. Getting your shins whacked by errant sticks is no fun.

aren't you too old to be playing hockey?
(Personally, I don't think ANYONE is too old for such an amazing sport.)

When I play outdoors, as long as it's warm enough, windpants, I have old warm up suits and what not I wear, but it's basically all for comfort. I like throwing on a jersey over an under armour or sweatshirt depending on the weather, etc.

 

[goldy_331]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

aren't you too old to be playing hockey?

Yes, yes I am.

 

[DaveStPaul]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

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Thanks very much, fellas. Obviously nothing beats getting out there and learning the hard way but I really appreciate the tips.

goldy: I cracked up when you mentioned getting whacked by the mites. At my son's 1st mite practice this year (Edgcumbe rec team) one coach took an errant stick right across the bridge of his nose. Split it quite nicely! (Got a band-aid over it and was back on the ice in about three minutes.)

 

[gscott13]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Play in two leagues, DI and an over 30 here in Portland. Tonight my DI team took down a team that features the following guys on their roster:

Doug Friedman - BU
Pete Metcalf - Maine
Matt Libby - Providence
Eric Turgeon - Maine
Chris Ladner - Colgate
John Laliberte - BU

of course, we caught a break in that Trevor Roenick (Maine) and Jeff Libby (Maine) were not around... they've also got a couple of other guys on the roster that played either in Europe or in the ECHL as well...

it doesn't hurt that their goalie is terrible...

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

So DI, that's like an A league here in MN, a top league? If not, there might be a ringer team in your midst.

 

[gscott13]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

So DI, that's like an A league here in MN, a top league? If not, there might be a ringer team in your midst.

yeah. for whatever reason they went away from A, B, C etc. They run 3 divisions with 1 being a place for former pro/college/high level former high school level, 2 being a little more geared towards former high school players, and 3 being straight rec league. they also have an over 30 and an over 40 league...

most teams in DI (A) have a couple of former college guys on it. my team has three kids that played NCAA DII hockey out east, but other than that, we are a bunch of former all-state caliber high school heroes.

 

[MavHockey14]

yeah. for whatever reason they went away from A, B, C etc. They run 3 divisions with 1 being a place for former pro/college/high level former high school level, 2 being a little more geared towards former high school players, and 3 being straight rec league. they also have an over 30 and an over 40 league...

most teams in DI (A) have a couple of former college guys on it. my team has three kids that played NCAA DII hockey out east, but other than that, we are a bunch of former all-state caliber high school heroes.

Are we talking out east all state or Minnesota style all state..there's a clear difference..

 

[St. Clown]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Just getting home from the final game of the regular season for Fall League. The Rubes lost 3-5, but we were pressuring, getting our chances towards the end of the game. Well, it's what turned out to be towards the end of the game. See, our game ended six minutes early because our goalie was ejected for excessive retaliation. Some bad blood was drawn tonight.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Like many, I stopped playing men's league around age 27 or so. 42 now. Just couldn't deal with the d-bags out there any more.

I play hard and I compete and work my butt off, but I just don't have the **** and vinegar anymore to be in all the BS scrums that happen. I enjoyed that crap on some level when I was younger and I was ALWAYS right in the middle of it. I don't (didn't) want to be that guy anymore, so I retired.

Now I play in a couple of relatively high level groups of mostly like-minded individuals. It's a fun group as we've got people from all over the upper mid-west. Wisconsinites, a bunch of Minnesotans, a few from Michigan, a couple from North Dakota and even a sprinkling of Canadians and even a couple of Russians. From guys who played high school to a few who played junior and D-3. Play games to 5 and then the goalies switch ends. Then we drink beers although not as much as 10 years ago.

Twice a week, year round. Hope to do it well into my 50s as the body still works fine although I'll probably have to move to an old man group at some point. Can still keep up with the younglings who play with us, but gets more challenging by the year.

One thought to end with which may be true for many of us...

I'm not as good as I was 5 years ago and I'm getting slightly worse with each passing day. Getting old(er) is an interesting journey. Can't wait for incontinence!

 

[jen]

Re: Who here actually plays hockey?

Still waiting for win #1 on the season. Yeah, we're awesome (the level above us doesn't have enough teams, so we cross-schedule with their division, and all our games against them were first half of the season - which was actually nice to get out of the way, but not so great for confidence - especially given that we moved up a level from last year, so our games against them were theoretically TWO levels up).

I sort of miss playing on a co-ed team..... but not enough to go back to the same league. I need to find a sucky team to play on, but it's hard to find a new group of guys when most of the guys I've played with are still on my old team, and most of the girls I know don't play co-ed (especially during winter). I don't want to join a team of randoms and end up playing with a bunch of *******s.