A Tale of Two Cities.

Wednesday February 27, 2008 - Orangeville - LLFHL Playoff

It can be said that passion can carry a team to great heights. However even youthful enthusiasm can only take you so far.

While I take nothing away from our opponents, we were once again the masters of our misfortune on this night.

The energy and desire to play the game was there and for a great deal of the contest, the game was in doubt. The Tigers came out and pressed the attack and a goal that our keeper would like to have back was more misfortune than bad play. We all seemed to turn the wrong way at the exact wrong time. The puck was put into an empty net, despite Katelyn's valiant effort to get across and make the save.

Never the shrinking violets we tried to fight back. We tied the score early in the second period and looked as if we may actually swing the momentum our way.

Alas, it was one of those nights that if it could go wrong, it did. If the puck could bounce over one of our sticks in front of the net, it did. When we tried to shoot or if a pass could pick the most unfortunate time to take an inexplicable hop it did. Conversely, when they had a chance, they buried it, to their credit, they earned the win.

The way we have approached this season is to never obsess about things out of your control and I have made it a personal mission of mine to analyze games based on the level of effort. It was there, unfortunately it just didn't amount to much.

Nothing to do but regroup for tomorrow night in Scarborough. Orangeville 4 - Storm 1

Thursday February 28, 2008 - Scarborough - OWHA Playdown

A coach can sometimes sense things. On these rare occasions what you are going to say to your team before the game comes easily, naturally.

I got that sensation waiting to play this evening. Looking around the room, I saw a focus that inspired me. My pre-game words just seemed to flow and they all fit together for a change.

We left the room with an enthusiasm that was similar but somehow different to last night. I could almost reach out and touch the energy, it seemed to be that thick. Or perhaps, it was that unexplainable odor that greeted us when we opened the door to the dressing room. No, it was the energy.

They were ready. Ready to play, ready to exact revenge for a earlier schooling we received from this opponent, ready it seems, for anything.

As I think back now, almost twenty-four hours after the fact, the words in the room seemed almost prophetic. I told them this was the night we were going to bust out, to fill the net, the night everyone was going to contribute -the night it was all going to come together.

I take no credit for what transpired out on the ice. It was all the team - every bit of it. A team of players showing and I pray, finally realizing just how good they are and how great they can be.

They played for each other and really demonstrated that they care.

What more can a coach ask for? How about - Storm 6 - Scarborough 2.

We need to ride this wave and sustain our momentum.

Next Game: Sunday March 2 - Final OWHA Playdown against Leaside.