Game On, Man!

Saturday is fast approaching, and so is the drop of the puck on my first official league game on ice. What makes things even more interesting is the fact that I might even be taking the first face-off as one of the teams centers. I am really not sure anyone else wants to play center for some strange reason. Yes, I am on a team of wingers... and that should make life interesting. I am not expecting much from game one given we are playing a team that won last weekend... without a goalie in net! I would like us to look respectable if nothing else, but these are teams that have played together for a while. We, on the other hand, are a bunch of people the other teams felt little to no need for on their teams. While this makes for motivation, we are playing for fun first.

How do I feel knowing that in less than 48 hours we will be dropping the puck and skating hard in an attempt to at least score one goal? I am a bit nervous, and that comes with good reason. I have watched some of the other teams (especially the one we will be playing) and I sense there might be 2 teams in the C league who dropped down in order to win a championship. If you don't believe me, remember what I said about the team playing without a goalie holding down a shutout after 1.5 periods! That takes more skill than a C level team should have given I saw how the other team was playing.

What do I expect from myself this season? I am sure there are people out there who think I will be skunked in the 8 games and not appear on the score sheet for any reason. Personally, I think there might be a goal or two and a couple assists. Hell, I am the center after all, and if I don't pick up assists then there really isn't much hope for us is there? If nothing else, I know there will be at least 2 penalties to get my name in the paper. I owe Mike (a "ringer" goalie from USC I have met) a good "interference with the goalie" penalty just for the fun of it, and there has already been some smack talk in my direction. I figure that should lead to a retaliation penalty down the road for unsportsmanlike. :)

What colors are you wearing this season? I really have no idea yet as they have not let me know. I guess I will be bringing my white and blue hockey socks. Hopefully, one will work well with the team colors.