Update: playing in my first C-/D level tourney this weekend. Our team is a bunch of D level misfits. Nobody has played with each other before. A lot of guys in their 1st year, including me.
We had 2 games today. The first game we lost 6-2. They were a better team but only because they play together often. Also, our lines were a mess, under 10 shots total, and our D was weak. Also lost a D man to puck on wrist.
Second game was much better. Down 2 guys, but good passing and hustle. The D stepped it up and our goalie was solid. We still lost 5-1 but to a much better skilled team.
This second game was my first experience with any real chippy hockey. I only play pickup which is 99% friendly. The other team were big boys. They started it with a leg to leg hit. Also sending another guy yard sailing with a cross check from behind. Both non calls. We chatted up the ref and he kust looked at us like we had three heads. Figuring we were out skilled and outsized and down 3-0 early I started to give a bunch of unsuspecting shoulders and shoves from behind along the boards and mid ice buzzes. No calls on me either. At 5'9 185 im no beast nor do I go looking for fights but I refuse to be pushed around. After going down 4-0 I also decided to test the opposing goalies focus by tucking the puck into the net after a whistle. He was pissed obviously. We then scored next shift with 2 mins remaining in 2nd.
While it was fun to play "physical" and try to gain an "edge" it became quite obvious to me that good clean hockey is the way to go. Other than that, and getting called for bogus offsides twice, it was a wicked fun day.
3rd and final game tomorrow. Pride on the line.
