This hockey team is young. 1 senior. 2 juniors...mostly comprised of 7th-9th graders. We've been overmatched against a varitable who's who of the top 10 Single A teams in the state. Playing through arguably the toughest strength of schedule that you could imagine, our young team has not backed down once and continue with their best attitude and relentless efforts regardless of the score. Our reputation is "pesty" and we like it.
Last night we again matched up against an older more experienced opponent that iced double digit numbers of upperclassmen. The team from Duluth was formed by all of the schools in Duluth not named Hermantown or Marshall....that is a large population to pull from. And our pesty Dragons played on. We gave up a fluke goal early in the first period and it seemed like it might be another long night where the bounces just don't go our way but the momentum changed when our girls ramped up their energy levels and poured their guts out in the second period. Although we didn't light the lamp that period, the ice tilted in our favor as player for player proved to their teammates that each was willing to do the "little things" the coaches were asking of them: Block Shots, Win Races, Control Rebounds, Mark Up, Forecheck Hard, Draw Penalties and just keep fighting.
Our #17 was leading from the front. She drew two physical penalties that period proving to her team that she was willing to pay the price necessary for the team to compete on a high level. The physicality of the game is taxing and many of her teammates were making regular check-ins with the team trainer. Point blank, the young Dragon squad was relentless and strong. Still down by 1 goal at the second intermission, no one would argue that we weren't in control of the game although the scoreboard didn't reflect it as such.
We continued to push the pace and play aggressively in the third period and were rewarded for our efforts on a bit of a flukey goal ourselves. Regardless, with the score even at 1-1, the small crowd was on the edge of their seats and pulling for the underdogs that refused to back down. Our first Overtime game ended just as we had hoped - Lena Roubinek potted a backhand goal about three and a half minutes in. Her heroics wouldn't have been possible without outstanding goaltending, solid defense, a heavy forecheck and belief and support pouring from the supporting cast on the bench....this we all know.
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The legendary late nights of being a hockey family have to be embraced when you're in the moment. Friends remind us to enjoy the chaos while you can because one day the kids will be grown and gone. Yet, a 9:30 Bantam practice following a late night Varsity game can sometimes lead us to a pity party and begging for more sleep. Logan's late night on the ice followed right after Emma's team buried their opponents from the north. Emma would be home, showered and in bed and Logan and Dad would still be at the rink.
Riding the high of a triumphant OT winner, I knew that it would be a while before my head hit the pillow. I did worry though about another late night for our 8th grader. Logan and I got home at about 10:45 pm and visited for a few short moments before I ushered him off to the showers. I knew he'd be begging for a few extra moments in bed when the alarm clock rang the next morning.
And in the kitchen was his lunch pail with a sticky note on it left from his Big Sister... Even though she had fought through one of the most physical games she had ever been a part of, she found the strength to do something nice for her little brother. She made his lunch while he was at practice. And that to me is worth as much and maybe even more than an Overtime game winning goal.
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