It's a Hockey Thing

First win in September

Leaving for practice in Maryland

Top 15 in Points within USPHL

Starting over with a new hockey club this year is nothing new for my twins: their 7th team in 10 seasons. And it is never easy to be in a new league. Sniper and Playmaker have high hopes and are working hard for the Skipjacks in Baltimore. They love the coaching staff, the abundant ice time, and the workout facilities (former practice rink/weight room for Washington Capitals NHL).

"Skipjacks U16" Teammates

#23

But injuries have kept their bench short and led to very few wins. Not that winning is everything, but it can be an important part of the mental game after a few weeks. Today they called and said the team is finally gelling! They are playing back in Boston for the Beantown Classic and have won their first three games handily! The twins are dominating the offense, setting up their line mates, and racking up their own points, too. Sniper had a hat trick today. Playmaker works so hard as the starting center, plus he fills in at defense because of other injured players. I'm glad they got a taste of success today, but I wish we could be there to watch. Last year, we were lucky enough to stay the whole week with Cousin Laurie and Tom--and enjoyed feasts at Aunt Jean and Paul's.

 #25 on Bus Trip

Doing Their Bit of the Chores

I have been putting the twins to work in Missouri so that our house stays appealing to potential buyers. They have mowed twice, trimmed bushes, spread fertilizer, and sprayed edges for dandelions. Yesterday they were very helpful as I wanted to split hostas. We have also spent three afternoons cleaning oak leaves from under bushes, behind pool furniture, and along the fence line. Today they stained the worn patches on the front and east sides of the house. Tomorrow we vacuum the pool and clean the cover. It's almost enough to make me swear off home ownership.

As a reward, the guys are headed to Buffalo Wild Wings to see game 3 (or 4?) of the series between the Blackhawks and the Blues. 

OHL Cup News

Only 20 teams are invited to the end-of-season showcase called the OHL Cup. The top AAA teams from Ontario Canada have to qualify, although there were also three Wild Cards and TPH Thunder was invited. The OHL sponsors the Cup for its final look at U15 Prospects before the draft. So it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this year for all 98 hockey players. Including my Sniper (Polar Bear) and Playmaker (Winger). Here is my report:
There were scouts watching from the upper bleachers. Quite a few. The rink was packed with spectators, too.

Overall, Thunder won two and lost two, so they just missed advancing to the quarter finals from round-robin play. Their second game was the worst they have ever played (no carbs at lunch), and Twin #1 got smashed into the boards by player who is considered to go #1 the draft from Toronto (Adam Mascherin of the Vaughan Kings named Greater Toronto Hockey League Player of the Year).

But the best game came yesterday afternoon against Whitby, who happened to be ranked #3 in Canada. Captain and I love it when the other team has fast skaters, because then our twins will skate and think faster. I heard they took their twin-telepathy into high gear with the other-David as their new linemate. My "Playmaker" scored in the first period to tie the game at 1-1. It was a sweetly feathered back-door pass from his brother that he hammered into the net.
Then Jakubowski scored and put Thunder up 2-1, but Whitby tied again right away.
Midway through the third period, the twins stepped up for a 2v1 breakaway. My "Sniper" pulled wide, and passed it over to "Playmaker" early in the offensive zone. Captain reminded me of the Tic-Tac-Toe passing they used to create with Dane. Similarly, these quick passes causes the defense to change from backchecking to forechecking. With perfect timing, Playmaker sent it quickly back to Sniper--right betweent the skates of the defenseman. With no chance to lay on the ice, the defenseman is out of ways to block the shot now. There's only Sniper against the goalie. He lifted it powerfully into the back of the net. His scoring was the go-ahead point. Thunder won this game 3-2 against Whitby, and most teams don't go home after a big win. But it was worth it.
Sniper was named MVP of the game by the coaches. An honor he should share with you-know-who. He was awarded an OHL duffle bag in this photo, and everyone claps their sticks on the ice to congratulate him. Do you think he will share the bag with his twin?! I'm happy how they gave a team effort.
An OHL radio announcer did a 5-minute interview with Sniper after the game. He said his favorite player is Vladamir Tarasenko (Blues rookie of the year in 2013).

The Hockey Family

The hockey team peaked at the right time--winning 20 of their last 21 games! More importantly, the players seemed to pull together and that makes for a strong emotional bond. The games this weekend were almost eclipsed by watching the Indy Ice USHL team, then playing in the Pacers Arena themselves, and finally making it a traditional roadtrip with Mr. Evans and Miles.

Before the trip

During the trip

After the trip

Mrs. Evans threw an early birthday party for the twins with a Thunder logo and cupcakes.

The Grand Finale Weekend

It was bittersweet to return to Nashville for a hockey weekend, so I was determined to make it a fun farewell for my twins. We drove all day Thursday, and Captain stayed here with his father who is in the hospital. We woke early on Friday for 7:10 a.m. mass at Father Ryan High School with Quinn, Caleb, and Aaron. Then we ate breakfast at a 1940s diner near Vanderbilt with Jimmy. Such an intimate setting for close friends to put their heads and hearts together and see where God is leading everyone. The Holy Spirit is definitely at work and consoling my sons along the way with Godly friends who will last a lifetime eternity.
We started our tourist adventure downtown:
1. Viewed the Civil Rights photo exhibit inside the beautiful Library

2. Took self-guided tour of State Capitol
(only 33 senators and 99 representatives who were not in session today).
3. Stayed the longest at the Frist Art Museum. Wonderful exhibit of European impressionists paired with nearly-identical Japanese works from same time period.

We were delighted to see three Mary Cassatts, four Monets, a Van Gogh, Degas, Lautrec, Renoir, and even a Munch (not The Scream, of course). We learned a bit about the war in Baghdad from an artist's perspective...

and the war in Spain against Napoleon in 1808....

4. Went to Centennial Park to see a full-scale replica of the Parthenon (complete with Athena statue inside)...

 and Parthenon Doors.

5. Stopped at Centennial Ice Rink to see if the Nashville Predators were practicing... but they weren't.
6. Drove by the Cathedral and Union Station and Carnton Plantation... too many sites for one day.

Sarcasm and Victories

The twins and their Thunder team have kept up a 17-game winning streak. Tomorrow they will play for the Championship in the U16 American bracket in Minnesota against their rival, Belle Tire. They have enjoyed spending time this weekend with Aunt Mary, cousins Charlie, Kara, Sophie, and Pam. Charlie hosted a taco bar for his birthday for everyone. Tomorrow will be the sixth time they play against their rivals. They have beaten Belle Tire twice and lost to them three times. Two former match-ups went into overtime! Winger is so nervous he didn't want to go to bed. But earlier he had the funniest Tweet: "Oshie has done more for America in eight rounds of shoot-out then Obama has done in eight years."

Miracle Shootout

This is your time.
This is your moment.
Do you believe in miracles?

In another Olymic match-up between USA and Russia, that moment came six times over for a St. Louis Blues forward as he went 4 for 6 in a hockey shootout thriller. He almost single-handedly led the American team to victory--on Russian ice in front of President Vladimir Putin no less. The international rules allow for the same hockey player to take multiple shots after the first three rounds of a shootout, so USA coach kept sending out TJ Oshie to face Russian goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who plays for the Columbus Bluejackets. Let's not forget the other goalie: Jonathan Quick had 29 saves and stopped 5 shootout attempts.
Oshie later said he was afraid he was going to run out of moves. Ha. The 27-year-old native of Minnesota was almost the final pick for the USA team, but was added precisely because of his shootout success in the NHL. Reminds me of Winger's shootout victories.
Meggar said she and Spencer got up early for the 6:30 am game. She was glad it was so worthwhile to waste sleep for.

Sochi Olympics mascot

Our Polar Bear said he watched the online replay three times with Winger looking over his shoulder. They missed the live game because they were on the ice: Winger had two goals in first game, coming back to life after not scoring in the last 10 games; and in the second game, Polar Bear scored his signature snipe shot after another one ringed loudly off the post.
Great hockey news!

Southern Hospitality

What do you do when long-lost cousins come to town? Invite them over for the Super Bowl, I guess. Captain has a Nebraska cousin who recently relocated to Atlanta, and he and his wife unexpectedly turned up at the hockey games. What a pleasant surprise! Rob must have gotten a nudge from Aunt Wilma because he found the Thunder website and the game schedule. He lives 5 minutes from the rink. Althought the twin's team lost the Sunday Championship in a shoot-out, Rob and Kari were able to see Polar Bear and Winger succeed at the 1v1 attempt on the goalie. Afterward, they knew how to celebrate (aka feed hungry teenage boys). We are not big fans of professional football, but Dorito pointed out that the Seahawks owner is a Phi Kap alumna. Overall, it was nice for my boys get "extra special treatment" at the Koch and Kirschner homes. And Captain was happy to be closer to the interstate this morning, especially with the Atlanta traffic.

Back on Track with Hockey

The twins are back together on the ice, and their team seemed to play better together, too! They pulled off five wins this weekend in Nashville!
Our high point was a defeat of their arch-rival Belle Tire team, who is No. 1 in their division. This is the second time Thunder has defeated that team from Detroit and their loud-mouth moms in the stands. I was so excited that I convinced the team manager to let me spend some of the meal budget on ice cream sandwiches to celebrate!
We are also excited that former Russell Stover '97 player Finnegan committed to Quinnipiac University!  This is big news for dedicated players from the Midwest! Remember that Quinnipiac is in Connecticut, and we saw they currently had twin brothers on the starting line-up!
Joining us in the stands this weekend were new TN friends:
Jimmy and Quinn on Friday, and

the whole Morel family on Sunday (boys shown here).

Win Some and Lose Some

The twins played hockey this weekend with the U16 National Team, and helped win one and lose one game. It was easy to return to the Independence Events Center for the games (our old rink). It was fun to play against five former teammates (even on face-offs). It was nice for me to catch up with the other travel parents (between periods).
The boys enjoyed the team bus, buffet dinner at Golden Corral, and free tour of the Topeka Roadrunners rink before their NAHL game.

Old and New Hockey Friends

The twins were thrilled that Hockey Henry was coming to Kansas City to see his grandparents over Thanksgiving. Even better, they heard about a stick-and-puck session at the rink. Three friends from their old team met up with them to scrimmage against the three Thunder players.

Gaining Wisdom

Captain had two wisdom teeth pulled yesterday, so he stayed home to rest while I took the twins to their friendship games in Cincinnati. This was not the best timing, and I was sorry I couldn't be around to assist my husband when he was feeling crummy. But it was a good weekend for the twins. Polar Bear was back on the ice (after missing 9 games due to his hip injury). He scored the first goal of the first game today on a big break-away. Then he helped set up Winger who scored the second and third goals, leading their team to a 4-1 victory. We're baaaaaacckkk!

Hockey Games in Pittsburgh

Yes, all my posts are about hockey lately.

Polar Bear is keeping stats for the Super Series in Pittsburgh this weekend. Captain said knows more about the game than we imagined. He can see the full ice and the strategies of other players. He would make a terrific coach. We tried be happy about having won four games, but today's loss against Belle Tire was hard to stomach. They are our rival and appeared to roster three players from their National squad this afternoon. Plus their crowd of moms was rowdy and plain rude. On the bright side, Polar Bear remains the only Thunder player to score against the Belle Tire team, as we lost 0-4 today without him.

Paying for One Hockey Player

I told the parents that this was ridiculous -- driving all this way, paying for hotels and tournament fees, plus eating out -- for only one hockey player!

(We all wish Polar Bear could play. Even Winger! But his MRI showed a large hematoma requiring some rest and healing.)

Watching Even More Hockey

The hockey schools are so close, you can throw a rock and hit seaveral of them... Not quite, but it feels overwhelming to have this many choices nearby. I called Merrimack, Boston College, and then settled on the Holy Cross v. Quinnipiac game (they had the cheapest ticket prices at $4 per student). Lots of our teammates joined in the Friday night "field trip," too! Boston traffic was thick, but Quinnipiac took second in the Frozen Four last year, so everyone was excited to see their offense. Captain noticed they have twins on their first line and Power Play (one plays center and one plays left wing just like our twins do.) I noticed they had long hockey hair (called "flow" by the teens) compared to the clean-cut fellas from the Catholic college. Polar Bear liked the purple helmets and purple gloves of Holy Cross. Winger was quick to point out the priest at the game. Small rink so we stood on the glass and had a great view! Holy Cross scored the first two goals, but lost 2-4.

Cousins Come Watch Hockey

My Connecticut cousin brought her son to the hockey game today! We are only 2 hours away, and Laurie let Jack (age 11) skip school to come along. Happily, Winger scored the first goal for the Thunder team, which was exciting. Unfortunately, it turned out to be the only goal and they lost. They have played well enough in first three games to advance to quarter-finals tomorrow.

We will get to see the rest of the family as we are staying at Laurie's house for the entire week. Can't wait to see their new addition on the beach house and to see her continued genealogy research (I brought more old, family photos to add to her collection).

Hip Injury

Polar Bear crashed into the wall at Saturday's out-of-town practice and kept playing. He tied to practice on Sunday with the pain but fell down and then the coach knew it was bad.  Lots of ice, intensive physical therapy treatments (twice a day) but still bruised and tight. X-rays showed nothing was broken, but he is disappointed he's not enough better for the Boston tournament this weekend. He's on crutches as we begin our second day on the road to finish the 20-hour drive.

Columbus Day Hockey

We had our final game of the Super Series this morning. It went down to a shoot-out and Winger scored! Unfortunately Polar Bear missed in the 3-shots allowed, but yesterday his shoot-out goal was the 3rd one and went in to win the game! Exciting hockey all around. I even got a few good photos.

Hockey in Philly

Heck of a drive. Luckily Captain is a good navigator around D.C. in the rain.
The twins were excited to face their rival Belle Tire from Detroit, who beat them last month in overtime. It was our only loss so far. Today they played like a machine. Polar Bear had the goal to tie the game in 3rd period. Thunder managed to score in overtime and win! The whole team went out to EAT steak dinner to celebrate.

A Referee Advances

Dorito is ready for Level 4 USA Hockey referee certification. This is the highest you can go. There are not many Level 4 referees, and there are not many clinics where you can complete the assessment. Unfortunately, he missed the only one held in Kansas City because his car broke down. So Captain signed him up for one in Wisconsin. Yes, that is the closest destination which is not being held the same day as a home K-State football game (Dorito has priorities!). So, we made a beautiful drive north to Madison, and I am enjoying a book on tape from my literary friend, Constance. The connection here is that the story is written with a 15-year-old autistic boy as the narrator. He is just like my friend, Eli! (I'm so glad that I get the humor.) And in the story, Christopher is trying to relate to Sherlock Holmes in "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Brenda might or might not like this story! But I am still on my Sherlock-kick, and this is a great way to pass the time while driving.