back on the ice, yikes!

Well I was back home in the DC Area for a few days over Christmas Break. My brother Paul skates on Monday nights and asked if I wanted to skate with him. I had not skated since June so I thought this could be interesting. Getting back out on the ice was fun to do and I had a great time skating but I was also frustrated because I am not that far removed from playing Div. I Hockey and my skills seem to have deteriorated exponentially. Here are a few things I took for granted when I played 6 days a week in college.
1. Skates are always sharp and prepared by the equipment staff.
2. The puck feels a lot heavier when you don't handle it everyday. It feels heavier on your stick.
3. Catching passes and having soft hands comes from handling the puck everyday.
4. My ability to read angles on the ice is completely gone. No longer do I know exactly how to bank a puck off the boards to another spot on the ice or angle another player away from a scoring area.
5. Making a flat crisp pass is hard to do.
6. My shot is still very weak. (perhaps weaker now)

But I did learn some things that are encouraging.
1. You can still get a great workout in skating and playing pick-up hockey.
2. The smell of the rink and cold air on your face is a unique thing and stays the same no matter how old you are or where you play.
3. I still know how to tie my skates.
4. Beer tastes really good after a game. (that's something you don't realize when you have a game the next day and you are pounding pasta and Gatorade after games)

All in all I am very happy I got back on the ice. Although the speed of the game is slower and my skills are deteriorating exponentially, its always a great feeling to be in a locker room, be on the ice, make a good pass, feel the puck on your stick, and sweat. I am not sure when the next time I will skate but I certainly can't wait.

Top Christmas Movies

1. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (island of misfit toys)
3. Elf
4. Home Alone
5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)
6. Scrooged
7. The Family Stone
8. Polar Express
9. Bad Santa
1o. Fred Claus