How'd ya make out, did she embarrass ya out there, to the point that you won't take her again after she got picked before you?
Man oh man... That was one of the most nerve racking experiences I've ever been in. We got there a bit later than I wanted to (she drove, go figures lol) so there was only room for one more player. Considering she's really shy AND forgot her stick (I brought a spare for her, but it's pretty much a toothpick), we decided I'd be the one to play tonight and she'll just watch, so that worked out good cause she was scared of playing in the first place, especially without me.
Unfortunately though, the only reason I wanted to go was so we BOTH could play, and we both could look like fools! We do everything together, so when I realized I'd have to walk onto that bench by myself I was ****ing bricks.
Anyways, we enter the rink and everyone's already doing their warm-up, so I rush into the change room and lo and behold it takes me like 30 minutes to put my gear on. I practiced putting it all on at home before, but it's different when you're stressed and trying to go fast. It also doesn't help when you do up your skates, and then forget to put the socks on
. I almost ripped my socks trying to get them over my skates, but then realized I had to take it all off again. 30 mins later I successfully exit the change room and the game has already started ahah.
That 20 second walk to the bench was some of the scariest **** I've ever done, but as soon as I sat down I made sure I told the guy that it's my first time so I might need some help learning how to get on/off the ice and in what order. I could go on for a year about this game, but long story short... HOLY CRAP IS HOCKEY SO MUCH DIFFERENT WHEN WEARING ALL YOUR EQUIPMENT! I think it was mainly the helmet cage and bulky shinguards which prevented me from seeing the puck as well as I'm used to, and I also felt like it prevented me from seeing my skates in my peripheral vision and that also hindered my skating abilities. Whenever I'd get the puck, it just felt so weird was if I had no control over it and I'd lose it so easily. I got a goal or an assist with a scrum in front of the net, but the other guys seemed to go easy on me there.
The number one thing I learned from it though was that in order to play hockey, you have to actually play hockey!!! All those hours of public skate and sticks and puck and just simple pond skating seemed absolutely pointless (or at least it would look that way to everyone watching me). Simple solution though, next time I go to practice I'm gunna wear my cage (and maybe shin guards).
Still though, I'm excited for the next time. Hopefully I can step my game up if I practice a bit more in the right conditions!