Fall season just started in Michigan, and while I was happy to be back in the swing of things, I forgot how much I hate the role testosterone plays in people's behavior.
Start the game as forward, and I get in front of their goaltender as he has the puck, not taking a swing at him trying to pry it loose. Another guy gives me a stiff elbow after the whistle, so I give him a one-handed slap to the shin in a "come on, I don't appreciate that" gesture. He gives me a two hand to the arm as I'm skating away and I just ignore it.
I moved back to defense shortly after and didn't see much of him then, but I had a loose puck on a rush and looked to get something going in the other team's zone. I chip it past one player but the same guy is able to get it before me. He knocks it away and I anticipate skating around him and looking to backcheck, but instead of moving on he turns around and goes for a reverse check on me. Thankfully I saw him coming and braced myself for it, so we just ran into each other. As I skated back he continued to talk trash as if I was the one trying to lay body contact. From there he stops in front of me a second time and keeps talking trash.
It's like, dude, we are one game into fall league and you are getting aggressive already. Get over it.