Starting off the season, home to Trafford. Trafford were a quick side, and a good group of lads that new how to move the puck. Having said that, we matched them in periods 1 and 3. But we all know hockey is a 3 period game and we let ourselves down in the 2nd with penalties and they just over powered us. Just shows, we can run with the N1 teams but, taking penalties will cost us games. But goals from Ayersy and new captain Adz, shows we can score in this league. A few positives to take from the game though, MOTM Hayden stood on his head all game long. Luke Smith played great in his first senior game, along with Andy Whitehouse and the rest of the first year players none look out of place. End of the game 7-2 loss.

Training that week focused more on defensive points from Sundays game and what we could do better as a team at. There was the usual banter from the usual suspects, not mentioning names (Eddie and Lui).

Sunday 11th September, Blackburn away. Easily the coldest of rinks. Ever. The first away trip of the season, started off with the usual rituals that people have. People sitting in certain seats and the new lads just fitting into the empties. We got to the rink in good time, and everyone piled in the rink and changing room, all fresh and newly painted. Off-ice warm-up resumed outside, the good old game of 2touch. Same faces most years trying to cheat their way to the final. Same old faces out first round, Hayden. All fun and games though, until someone loses the ball. It hasn’t happened yet, but by the end of the month it will.

With Sam in net, the game started. Equally as fast paced as the previous, but with Blackburn having slightly more handy players in their roster. But we held our own. On 17ish minutes on the 1st period, newly signed no nonsense player Martin Chembo O’Brien shows that we wont be a team messed around this year and goes with Blackburn player Tom King.

Periods two starts, we hit penalty trouble again. Sam and the PK units doing everything possible to defend our net. And to be honest, they did a good job. And some light at the end of the second, Hammertime snipes a slapshottop shelve from great work from Snowy and Whitehouse. I’m sure he had his eyes closed or something and I am surprised we’ve seen nothing about it on Facebook, yet. Start of the 3rd, and we looked a different team. Just again shows that if we stay out of the box, we will be fine in this league. End of the game 7-1 loss. Despite the scoreline, we looked a better team than the previous week and it will take a little bit of time to adapt to this league.

Hope to see you through the season in your red and white.

Bucky #71