Roll out!

It’s Spring! And with Spring comes Playoff hockey, sundresses, and the start of rollerhockey season. Opening day of 2011 season saw 110 teams and over 1600 players registered with the VIHL. I remember when it was 32 teams and 400 players back in 2007. That year, I joined the league and was drafted to a team that I have remained with to this day. I had no idea what to expect at the draft and was very apprehensive of the thought of being picked last. I would finally understand Phil Kessel’s anguish. But wouldn’t get a car.
In any case, I was drafted into a team along with a few other randoms who attended the draft. None of us knew each other. But after 4 years of blowout losses, forfeited games, line brawls, costly turnovers, come from behind wins, blowout wins, two consecutive tier final appearances and several, several suspensions, a wolf pack of 10-16 guys was formed. This summer, the entire team will be attending one of our teammate’s wedding in June.
But this is much too much bromance for my liking and I will move on. The point is: rollerhockey is awesome and you can meet cool people whilst honing your hockey skills and getting a workout. So do it!

This season, the VIHL website has been pimped out. One of the many new additions is the suspensions link listing all that have occured in the league to date. As of May 26th 2011, there have been 24 players suspended, and we are just over a quarter of the season through. I don’t get paid to play for my team so I definitely do not want to get slashed, hacked, boarded or speared and I’m certain the referees don’t want to hear: “Hey Ref are you pregnant? ‘Cuz you missed the last period!” being hollered at them from the bench. We all just got off work and want to get our dose of hockey. Things happen in the heat of the moment and everyone’s got their game face on but being kind and respectful goes a long way.
I have seen referees do a terrific job and referees who are… having a bad day. In any case, the Ref’s first job is keeping the players safe while maintaining the integrity of the game. Cussing and swearing at the officials is just going to turn the remainder of the game into a chore for everyone. The zebras probably just got off work too so cut them some slack!
If Ryan Kesler and Alex Burrows can ease off, so can you. Here’s a TSN blog by retired NHL Referee Kerry Fraser explaining what really ticks off a ref. Hilarious yet insightful!

Also, this is a shout out to VIHL player, Andrew of Metrotown SportChek; Andrew managed to negotiate a 25% discount for members of the VIHL at his store. Our teams played each other in the finals last summer and on many instances, I vividly recall trash talking Andrew but he was very professional in helping me save close to $50 on my equipment. I am now the owner of two brand new high quality composite sticks with money left over for my team’s beer fund. Hello! Bi-Winning! Thanks Andrew!

And I just cannot publish this blurb without mentioning the ‘Nucks, your 2011 Western Conference Champs!
As big a fan as I am of Luongo, there were a number of instances in game 4 where I was nervous with his play; in game 5 however, there were sequences where you couldn’t get a Tylenol past him. Case in point: Joe Thornton and his seven shots, and a couple of those were grade A chances and all were turned aside, no big deal. Defensive miscues cost Lu two lame goals.
And how about the twins, or as Alberta hockey enthusiasts say, the Sedin Sisters? Kesler was in on 11 of the 14 Canuck goals against Nashville; Hank and Danny were in on 14 of the 20 goals against the Fish.
And what about Kesler, Burrows, and Bieksa, who at some instance had their careers as Canucks questioned, but now cause heart palpitations if we see them limp. The Canucks were playing just to advance to the next round; the Sharks were playing for their lives.
But the Whale prevails!
And is it just me or does Keith Ballard have some shades of Ed Jovanovski to him? The only difference is Jovocop got more minutes.

Roll out!

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