Stick and puck day 1

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   With the playoffs going, and the bug biting, I went to my first stick and puck skate day here in Nebraska.  Been almost 21 years, all my skates needed was a good sharpening, a change in radius, and new laces.  Bought the obligatory helemt, mine was 'too old' and no longer certified, and a new KOHO Crossover wooden stick, heavy wood, not a big whipper.  Oiled up my glove facings, leather was a little dry but softened up nicely.

Got to rink, a few folks there mainly bussiness types on lunch break.  A two hour session.  Dressed up in my 'girdle' style waist pads, my new moto-cross knee braces, my old shin guards, taped as elastic straps were dried out, pair of sweat pants, pants, laced up the skates, buckled on ankle guards, on went elbow pads, jersey and I stepped out on ice, first time again in 20 years and now with artificial knees.  A few tentitive laps both directions, stretched out to do crossovers, skate and spin to skate backwards, can't or forgot how to go backwards from a standing stop.

Started to puck handle, little sloppy but doable, then fired off a few wrist shots from top of slot, accuracy a little to be desired but a pleasent surprise.  Was shooting at goal board, hitting corners top and bottom, about a 40% in the net rate.  A young goaltender skated on and invited us to take shots, maybe 5 foot 4 and a lightweight teenager, so a lot of space to shoot at.  Simple wristers from slot, a few wristers from point, stick is too rigid for slappers, had a good drill.  Me and another old timer did some passing drills, I hold stick to rigid yet, a lot of bounce offs, but getting the feel.

Going to do stick and pucks all summer twice maybe three times a week to get in shape for fall 'old timers' no check league, the folks can tell I played before, but the skill level really needs to be practiced, and my old speedboat tight turns have turned into battleship radius turns, but such is age.  The have multiple levels here and a very serious 'no ringer' rule.  If you are too good or skilled for the group you are with, you must move up to next level, no exceptions.  I am going to start with novice/beginner to get back into game and see where it goes.  Defense or Foward is next decesion.

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oldsoldier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Crazy old guy Joined: 10 June 2002 Status: Offline Points: 6725	Post Options Post Reply Quote oldsoldier Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Stick and puck day 1 Posted: 17 May 2011 at 7:19pm
	With the playoffs going, and the bug biting, I went to my first stick and puck skate day here in Nebraska. Been almost 21 years, all my skates needed was a good sharpening, a change in radius, and new laces. Bought the obligatory helemt, mine was 'too old' and no longer certified, and a new KOHO Crossover wooden stick, heavy wood, not a big whipper. Oiled up my glove facings, leather was a little dry but softened up nicely. Got to rink, a few folks there mainly bussiness types on lunch break. A two hour session. Dressed up in my 'girdle' style waist pads, my new moto-cross knee braces, my old shin guards, taped as elastic straps were dried out, pair of sweat pants, pants, laced up the skates, buckled on ankle guards, on went elbow pads, jersey and I stepped out on ice, first time again in 20 years and now with artificial knees. A few tentitive laps both directions, stretched out to do crossovers, skate and spin to skate backwards, can't or forgot how to go backwards from a standing stop. Started to puck handle, little sloppy but doable, then fired off a few wrist shots from top of slot, accuracy a little to be desired but a pleasent surprise. Was shooting at goal board, hitting corners top and bottom, about a 40% in the net rate. A young goaltender skated on and invited us to take shots, maybe 5 foot 4 and a lightweight teenager, so a lot of space to shoot at. Simple wristers from slot, a few wristers from point, stick is too rigid for slappers, had a good drill. Me and another old timer did some passing drills, I hold stick to rigid yet, a lot of bounce offs, but getting the feel. Going to do stick and pucks all summer twice maybe three times a week to get in shape for fall 'old timers' no check league, the folks can tell I played before, but the skill level really needs to be practiced, and my old speedboat tight turns have turned into battleship radius turns, but such is age. The have multiple levels here and a very serious 'no ringer' rule. If you are too good or skilled for the group you are with, you must move up to next level, no exceptions. I am going to start with novice/beginner to get back into game and see where it goes. Defense or Foward is next decesion.