To a rookie player in his first season, this was a good game. I've gotten compliments on my improved vision, skating, and overall skill level. I'm not blowing the barn doors off, and I'm certainly not playing up to the level of our better players. But I have improved significantly, and I hope to continue that trend.
To a neutral observer, this was a very good game. Usually, one doesn't think of a 4-4 tie as any sort of resolution. But this game had drama, emotion, a good deal of physical play (i.e. penalties), and all the players were clearly motivated.
What motivated the Enforcers was that the lowly Bulldogs handed them a loss earlier in the season. Which is exactly what motivated our lovely bulldogs. Because we know we can beat them. And we will likely meet in the first round of the playoffs.
We led after the first period, 1-0, and again after the second, 2-1. Then the wheels looked like they fell off. We were in a 4-2 hole. We ground out a third goal late in the third period; I had gotten in a pile-up on the right point which probably tied up enough defenders to get an advantage. As I was getting up, the goal was scored.
We planned to skate our best players during the final two minutes of the game, but those plans were fouled up by penalty trouble. In particular, one of our centers was ejected for irrational exuberance while chasing the puck near the boards. In other words, it looked more like an NHL-style thundering body check which nearly stapled an opposing player into the boards. It didn't help that we were already on a minor penalty at the time. So we put our three best skaters on the ice. Somehow, due to a funny bounce or a mishandled puck, our relentless attempts at offense paid off as the puck slid by a confused Enforcers goaltender for the tying goal in the last minute of the game.
Games like this are a very good reason to watch hockey, if not play it.
I was tapped for defense again. It was a good game on defense, with shots blocked and offensive chances fouled up. I had some very good shifts, and some okay shifts, and some downright lousy shifts. But I learn with every shift.
For two of our four goals against, there was nothing I could do. The Enforcers' first was on a power play; the puck was stuck between our goalie's skates as he was standing just in front of the goal line, and a player managed to poke it in. Our goalie tried to argue, given the officials' inconsistent and confusing calls about offensive players in the crease, but it didn't matter. The other goal I couldn't handle was a 2-on-0 breakaway, and I had to skate through the trailer to get to the puck carrier. Taking down the trailer probably wouldn't have prevented anything.
It was the most fun I've had all season, and it wasn't even a win.
The usual plug: If you feel like following the team, look for the Bay Area Bulldogs in Conference D of the Pacific Hockey Association.