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I realize that as a goaltender I'm insane. I actually enjoy standing in front of hard, vulcanized rubber pucks which are being shot at me at high speeds. But to be honest I don't even remember why I liked being a goalie so much. I haven't really spent much time playing out at all.
But I like it. And it's fun even when it hurts. I don't like pain - which is why I'm glad that I have new pads with more protection - but there's also something really satisfying about stopping a really hard shot. Nope. I'm there - you can't have that one.
Today I filled in for a friend's pick-up hockey game (organized enough to have two goaltenders - otherwise pretty relaxed) and was reminded that boys shoot harder than girls.
There were some mitigating factors naturally - I think that most of these guys were closer to my age than the women on my team - and almost certainly none of them were beginners. It was a much faster paced game than what we play in women's rec. And it was a lot of fun. They scored a bunch of goals - but I was about equal with the guy in the other net (pick-up hockey means no scorekeeper - and I wasn't paying that close attention), and I had some pretty wicked saves. It's really cool to see that I can keep up with these guys. I like our team and we have a great time - but it's also cool to see that I can hold my own at a higher level of play. Maybe someday I'll join one of the upper level women's divisions - there's at least one league that has some more competitive play.
But man do those guys have harder shots than I'm used to. And all of them seemed keen to hit me in the left upper arm. I've got a bit of a bruise forming there already. And two on the palm of my trapper hand from catching slapshots (take that!). I also took a really hard shot in the left boob (what is it with these guys shooting to the left?).
I don't like pain - but I earned these bruises. And that's kinda cool. (also they don't hurt that bad)
But I like it. And it's fun even when it hurts. I don't like pain - which is why I'm glad that I have new pads with more protection - but there's also something really satisfying about stopping a really hard shot. Nope. I'm there - you can't have that one.
Today I filled in for a friend's pick-up hockey game (organized enough to have two goaltenders - otherwise pretty relaxed) and was reminded that boys shoot harder than girls.
There were some mitigating factors naturally - I think that most of these guys were closer to my age than the women on my team - and almost certainly none of them were beginners. It was a much faster paced game than what we play in women's rec. And it was a lot of fun. They scored a bunch of goals - but I was about equal with the guy in the other net (pick-up hockey means no scorekeeper - and I wasn't paying that close attention), and I had some pretty wicked saves. It's really cool to see that I can keep up with these guys. I like our team and we have a great time - but it's also cool to see that I can hold my own at a higher level of play. Maybe someday I'll join one of the upper level women's divisions - there's at least one league that has some more competitive play.
But man do those guys have harder shots than I'm used to. And all of them seemed keen to hit me in the left upper arm. I've got a bit of a bruise forming there already. And two on the palm of my trapper hand from catching slapshots (take that!). I also took a really hard shot in the left boob (what is it with these guys shooting to the left?).
I don't like pain - but I earned these bruises. And that's kinda cool. (also they don't hurt that bad)
