CFF Hockey Benefit Game
This weekend I was invited to play in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Hockey Benefit game here in Richmond. The premise is that this event gets together the best hockey players in the Richmond area for a USA vs. Canada match-up. I was asked to play a week or so before the game, after playing in an A league game in the adult league.
I suited up for Team Canada, despite the fact that I'm not Canadian. I told them I spent my summers in Lions Head, Ontario at my grandparent's farm, so they allowed me to adopt that as my Canadian hometown. They needed a goalie, anyway, so I stepped in and played.
Each team had two goalies who were to split the game. Unfortunately, the other team Canada goalie had a rough first period, and we found ourselves down 5-1. So, I was up to start the second period. Our team definitely picked up the pace to get back in the game, and I shut down the USA's shooters during the second, including a break-away by one of Team USA's best players, as we rallied to within one goal (5-4). The third period saw Team Canada knot up the score at 5-5, after which Team USA would get their sixth (and only regulation goal against me). Canada would tie it up 6-6. After much deliberation, both teams decided against a five minute overtime, and in favor of a five man shoot-out.
Of course, I was a little nervous, as this was a pretty serious game. The opposition's goaltender just happened to be former NCAA D1 goaltender Joe Blackburn, of Michigan State University. Unfortunately, in the shoot-out, the first one would get by me, and Team USA would lead 1-0. From there, I stopped the remaining four shooters. Our last shooter of the five would score one on Blackburn, for a 1-1 tie in the shoot-out, and one round of sudden-death. Unfortunately, the first sudden death shot by Team USA got by me, and our last shooter didn't score. The result, a 7-6 Team USA win in the shoot-out.
All in all, it was a very good game. There was some great action, and it was pretty intense. I actually ended up winning player of the game for the Canadian team.
It would be nice to be able to play at that level every game. It was fast, good hockey. I play a lot better the faster the play gets, and find it hard to adjust to some of the adult leagues. Now that I'm going back to DC, I hope I can find a league where the play is as good as it was in this game. I also hope that I get invited back to play in this game someday...