Here are the direct links to the photos I've posted online.
2009 Gopher Hockey Team Party
2009 Gophers Squirt Tournament
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Gophers vs. Wolverines - Video Highlights
Here are the goals
Sobiech (Tuin assist)
Sobiech (unassisted)
Sundhiem (Santelman assist)
O'Brien (Santelman assist - credited to Sundhiem - over ruled after video review)
Tuin (Schmidt assist)
Tuin (Sobiech assist)
Sobiech (Tuin assist)
Sobiech (unassisted)
Sundhiem (Santelman assist)
O'Brien (Santelman assist - credited to Sundhiem - over ruled after video review)
Tuin (Schmidt assist)
Tuin (Sobiech assist)
Monday, March 9, 2009
What is a Champion?
Champion.
[cham-pee-uhn]
–noun
1. a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place.
2. anything that takes first place in competition.
3. an animal that has won a certain number of points in officially recognized shows
4. a person who fights for or defends any person or cause
5. a fighter or warrior.
If you ask 10 people what the definition of the word is, I think you will receive 10 similar answers. Try it. They'll all sound like the definition I've provided above.
Just don't make me one of the ten people you ask.
Not anymore.
A small and very special group of 10 to 12 year old student athletes and a soft-spoken man I had never met erased the definition of a word I thought I knew.
Certainly our Hastings Gophers fulfilled the definition, as listed in the dictionary, in its entirety this past weekend at the 2009 Hastings Squirt Invitational Tournament. They defeated 3 tough hockey teams in consecutive games, including defeating a team that had owned them all year.
The Gophers were all over their arch-rival and nemesis Wolverines. They were up 6-1 until their opponents scored with less than 2 seconds remaining in the game. They played brilliantly as a team, and never once did I get the impression in the days leading up to the game, that they felt they would not emerge victorious. They defeated the Wolverines with the type of play that earned them the conference’s 2nd best record during the season. It was teamwork, passing, tough defense, great goaltending, constant hustle, and a never quit attitude that propelled them to tournament glory. Whether it was Sunny and Jonathon or Woody and Blake masterfully patrolling the blue line, their superior efforts were crucial in maintaining possession of the puck in the zone. Brett, Payton, Anders, Kannon and Garrett played a great offensive passing game and were always present on the backcheck as well. Zach and Joe traded off handling the center iceman’s position, and once again dominated face-offs, a trend repeated in virtually every game this season. They really put it all together for three periods and played their little rodent hearts out! (yes, just one more rodent reference!) I saw Anders throw himself on the ice, sliding headfirst into the boards just to defend a shot and keep it from getting through to Jake! This type of effort exemplified the Gophers’ play Sunday.
The victory qualifies our Gophers, by any measure of the working, established definition, as "Champions".
But what I witnessed this past weekend gave me pause to reconsider that definition as I see it in my mind's eye.
Winning the tournament made them the Champions of Squirt hockey in Hastings for 2008-2009. That is something that will never be taken away from them now, and is a moment that will live forever in the hearts and minds of these boys as they continue to grow into young men.
I know it will also live in mine for just as long.
Rewind…
Let me tell you a personal story before I continue...
It's the story of a boy.
He is a quiet, attentive, thoughtful, bright and athletic boy. This boy had never played hockey before this winter. Beyond that, he had only laced up skates and attempted to stay standing while on ice a mere 8-10 times prior to deciding he was going to go out in front of all his classmates and friends and willingly endure falling down through three days of evaluations.
After the first day of evaluations, this boy was dejected, frustrated, and felt very alone. His friends, afterall, were almost all accomplished skaters and hockey players already. In fact, after the first hour of evaluations, while I helped him remove his dripping wet, snow and sweatsoaked practice jersey and socks, one of his closest friends who was sitting next to him on the bench, whispered to him,"Was this your first time skating too?"
I swear I saw that boy's internal spirit nearly spontaneously crush right before my eyes. But he quietly shook his head no, and continued undressing. He must have felt as though he was peeling away layers of his soul, baring the most sensitive layers for all to see. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
The quiet car ride home was interrupted by his ten year old voice. He looked at me and said, "Dad, I thought I'd be better." and his voice broke on the last word to escape his trembling face. I was forced to look out my own window as I spoke to my son, fearful he would see the tears of sympathy well up in my own eyes as I recited to him the last two stanzas of a poem called "Don't Quit!" I memorized that has carried me through more than one hard time over the years.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
I'm not sure how much of that he absorbed, or whether I spoke the words for his benefit or my own at that exact moment; but our eyes locked as I spoke the final stanza of that poem. When I was finished, I told my son that the decision was his, and I would support that decision regardless of what it was.
My son told me he wasn't quitting.
End of personal story and fast forward…
Sometimes when people come into your life, they don't merely brush anonymously past or pass silently through your life, they truly touch it. Perhaps their generosity and compassion make them virtually unaware of the depths their positive influence touches. Coach John Dale drafted my son to play on the Hastings Gophers in the fall of 2008. It was one of the most thrilling moments of my boy's life. He was going to be a hockey player. He was on a TEAM!
As my son played with this great team of boys over the winter, subtle changes took place in him. He was happier and had more self-confidence than ever. He practiced his new favorite sport nearly every day of the week for hours on end, and he even worked harder in school. He spoke of his coaches and teammates often and looked forward to each and every time he would get to see them. He was driven to be the best he could be so he wouldn't let them down. He refused to miss a practice and even to arrive late was unacceptable to him.
But my son merely being selected and coached by John isn't what touched our lives. It was the way in which he coached; the manner in which he taught, and the sensitivity to each player's psyche, that touched our lives. I believe that all of our boys probably have a greater sense of teamwork and class than before, due to their coaching.
When the final buzzer sounded on Sunday evening at Hastings Civic Arena, and the Gophers had emerged victorious, equipment flew into the air, hands were thrust upwards in elation, and the boys celebrated together by hugging and mobbing their goaltender. They then stood and honored their opponents as they received their second place medals.
As the coaches, John, Brian and Todd stepped forward to receive the 1st place Championship trophy, the Gophers players all moved instantly, and in a coordinated fashion, into the traditional Minnesota Gopher Stick Salute.
This was an awe-inspiring sight for me!
These young men, with not even so much as a teenager among their ranks let alone an adult, showed me something that night. Class, honor and integrity topped that list.
No sir, Mr. Webster. "Champion" as you define it, does not match what I know of the word.
Being a Champion is an attitude. It's a way of living life. John Dale, Brian Tuin, and Todd Sundheim are Champions and they helped a dozen fantastic boys have the time of their lives this winter and achieve a common dream through hard work and perserverance.
I have never been so proud of my son as I was on Sunday, March 8th 2009.
On that day, his team of Gophers became Champions.
[cham-pee-uhn]
–noun
1. a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place.
2. anything that takes first place in competition.
3. an animal that has won a certain number of points in officially recognized shows
4. a person who fights for or defends any person or cause
5. a fighter or warrior.
If you ask 10 people what the definition of the word is, I think you will receive 10 similar answers. Try it. They'll all sound like the definition I've provided above.
Just don't make me one of the ten people you ask.
Not anymore.
A small and very special group of 10 to 12 year old student athletes and a soft-spoken man I had never met erased the definition of a word I thought I knew.
Certainly our Hastings Gophers fulfilled the definition, as listed in the dictionary, in its entirety this past weekend at the 2009 Hastings Squirt Invitational Tournament. They defeated 3 tough hockey teams in consecutive games, including defeating a team that had owned them all year.
The Gophers were all over their arch-rival and nemesis Wolverines. They were up 6-1 until their opponents scored with less than 2 seconds remaining in the game. They played brilliantly as a team, and never once did I get the impression in the days leading up to the game, that they felt they would not emerge victorious. They defeated the Wolverines with the type of play that earned them the conference’s 2nd best record during the season. It was teamwork, passing, tough defense, great goaltending, constant hustle, and a never quit attitude that propelled them to tournament glory. Whether it was Sunny and Jonathon or Woody and Blake masterfully patrolling the blue line, their superior efforts were crucial in maintaining possession of the puck in the zone. Brett, Payton, Anders, Kannon and Garrett played a great offensive passing game and were always present on the backcheck as well. Zach and Joe traded off handling the center iceman’s position, and once again dominated face-offs, a trend repeated in virtually every game this season. They really put it all together for three periods and played their little rodent hearts out! (yes, just one more rodent reference!) I saw Anders throw himself on the ice, sliding headfirst into the boards just to defend a shot and keep it from getting through to Jake! This type of effort exemplified the Gophers’ play Sunday.
The victory qualifies our Gophers, by any measure of the working, established definition, as "Champions".
But what I witnessed this past weekend gave me pause to reconsider that definition as I see it in my mind's eye.
Winning the tournament made them the Champions of Squirt hockey in Hastings for 2008-2009. That is something that will never be taken away from them now, and is a moment that will live forever in the hearts and minds of these boys as they continue to grow into young men.
I know it will also live in mine for just as long.
Rewind…
Let me tell you a personal story before I continue...
It's the story of a boy.
He is a quiet, attentive, thoughtful, bright and athletic boy. This boy had never played hockey before this winter. Beyond that, he had only laced up skates and attempted to stay standing while on ice a mere 8-10 times prior to deciding he was going to go out in front of all his classmates and friends and willingly endure falling down through three days of evaluations.
After the first day of evaluations, this boy was dejected, frustrated, and felt very alone. His friends, afterall, were almost all accomplished skaters and hockey players already. In fact, after the first hour of evaluations, while I helped him remove his dripping wet, snow and sweatsoaked practice jersey and socks, one of his closest friends who was sitting next to him on the bench, whispered to him,"Was this your first time skating too?"
I swear I saw that boy's internal spirit nearly spontaneously crush right before my eyes. But he quietly shook his head no, and continued undressing. He must have felt as though he was peeling away layers of his soul, baring the most sensitive layers for all to see. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
The quiet car ride home was interrupted by his ten year old voice. He looked at me and said, "Dad, I thought I'd be better." and his voice broke on the last word to escape his trembling face. I was forced to look out my own window as I spoke to my son, fearful he would see the tears of sympathy well up in my own eyes as I recited to him the last two stanzas of a poem called "Don't Quit!" I memorized that has carried me through more than one hard time over the years.
Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
I'm not sure how much of that he absorbed, or whether I spoke the words for his benefit or my own at that exact moment; but our eyes locked as I spoke the final stanza of that poem. When I was finished, I told my son that the decision was his, and I would support that decision regardless of what it was.
My son told me he wasn't quitting.
End of personal story and fast forward…
Sometimes when people come into your life, they don't merely brush anonymously past or pass silently through your life, they truly touch it. Perhaps their generosity and compassion make them virtually unaware of the depths their positive influence touches. Coach John Dale drafted my son to play on the Hastings Gophers in the fall of 2008. It was one of the most thrilling moments of my boy's life. He was going to be a hockey player. He was on a TEAM!
As my son played with this great team of boys over the winter, subtle changes took place in him. He was happier and had more self-confidence than ever. He practiced his new favorite sport nearly every day of the week for hours on end, and he even worked harder in school. He spoke of his coaches and teammates often and looked forward to each and every time he would get to see them. He was driven to be the best he could be so he wouldn't let them down. He refused to miss a practice and even to arrive late was unacceptable to him.
But my son merely being selected and coached by John isn't what touched our lives. It was the way in which he coached; the manner in which he taught, and the sensitivity to each player's psyche, that touched our lives. I believe that all of our boys probably have a greater sense of teamwork and class than before, due to their coaching.
When the final buzzer sounded on Sunday evening at Hastings Civic Arena, and the Gophers had emerged victorious, equipment flew into the air, hands were thrust upwards in elation, and the boys celebrated together by hugging and mobbing their goaltender. They then stood and honored their opponents as they received their second place medals.
As the coaches, John, Brian and Todd stepped forward to receive the 1st place Championship trophy, the Gophers players all moved instantly, and in a coordinated fashion, into the traditional Minnesota Gopher Stick Salute.
This was an awe-inspiring sight for me!
These young men, with not even so much as a teenager among their ranks let alone an adult, showed me something that night. Class, honor and integrity topped that list.
No sir, Mr. Webster. "Champion" as you define it, does not match what I know of the word.
Being a Champion is an attitude. It's a way of living life. John Dale, Brian Tuin, and Todd Sundheim are Champions and they helped a dozen fantastic boys have the time of their lives this winter and achieve a common dream through hard work and perserverance.
I have never been so proud of my son as I was on Sunday, March 8th 2009.
On that day, his team of Gophers became Champions.
Party at Anders' House!
The Gophers players happily accepted an invitation to a hockey party at Anders' house on February 7th. The boys played outdoor hockey, ate pizza and probably made a mess. :)
Gopher Time Trial Results
Before I post my final articles on this unforgettable season, I'd like to also post this. As a benchmark of their improvement as skaters, Coach John had the players perform a timed drill.
The drill was skating across the rink, hockey stop and touch the boards with their stick, skate back and hockey stop and touch the boards to stop the clock.
Last Name, First Name - - Time 1 (Nov) -Time 2 (Jan) - Time 3 (Mar)
O'Brien, Kannon - - - - - - - -9.40 - - - - - - - 9.30 - - - - - - - - 9.00
Sobiech, Zachary - - - - - - -10.70 - - - - - - 10.10 - - - - - - - - 9.60
Duclos, Jonathon - - - - - - -10.70 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.00
Schmidt, Joe - - - - - - - - - 10.40 - - - - - -10.00 - - - - - - - - 10.00
Sundheim, Jacob - - - - - - -10.90 - - - - - - 10.60 - - - - - - - - 10.00
Burr, Blake - - - - - - - - - - -11.00 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.20
Anderson, Payton - - - - - - -12.00 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.30
Santelman, Anders - - - - - -10.90 - - - - - - 10.70 - - - - - - - - 10.30
Tuin, Garrett - - - - - - - - - 10.90 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.40
Peine, Brett - - - - - - - - - - 10.60 - - - - - - 10.60 - - - - - - - - 10.60
Woodward, Mike - - - - - - - 11.50 - - - - - - 10.50 - - - - - - - - 10.80
Dale, Jake - - - - - - - - - - - -12.60 - - - - - - 12.00 - - - - - - - - 11.40
The drill was skating across the rink, hockey stop and touch the boards with their stick, skate back and hockey stop and touch the boards to stop the clock.
Last Name, First Name - - Time 1 (Nov) -Time 2 (Jan) - Time 3 (Mar)
O'Brien, Kannon - - - - - - - -9.40 - - - - - - - 9.30 - - - - - - - - 9.00
Sobiech, Zachary - - - - - - -10.70 - - - - - - 10.10 - - - - - - - - 9.60
Duclos, Jonathon - - - - - - -10.70 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.00
Schmidt, Joe - - - - - - - - - 10.40 - - - - - -10.00 - - - - - - - - 10.00
Sundheim, Jacob - - - - - - -10.90 - - - - - - 10.60 - - - - - - - - 10.00
Burr, Blake - - - - - - - - - - -11.00 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.20
Anderson, Payton - - - - - - -12.00 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.30
Santelman, Anders - - - - - -10.90 - - - - - - 10.70 - - - - - - - - 10.30
Tuin, Garrett - - - - - - - - - 10.90 - - - - - - 11.00 - - - - - - - - 10.40
Peine, Brett - - - - - - - - - - 10.60 - - - - - - 10.60 - - - - - - - - 10.60
Woodward, Mike - - - - - - - 11.50 - - - - - - 10.50 - - - - - - - - 10.80
Dale, Jake - - - - - - - - - - - -12.60 - - - - - - 12.00 - - - - - - - - 11.40
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Gophers Advance to Championship!
In a very exciting game, the Gophers played a full three period game of high intensity hockey and defeated a very talented Pioneers team 2-1 to advance to Sunday evening's Championship game.
Their opponent will be no stranger, even though the spot on the bracket still doesn't have a team name on it. That will be decided before lunch today, or brunch for those of you who forgot the DST change overnight!
Who will it be, the Pioneers or the Wolverines??
The Wolverines have to beat a team they haven't beaten all season in order to play the Gophers, a team that hasn't beaten THEM all season.
The Pioneers have to defeat a team they haven't lost to all season in order to play the Gophers, a team they haven't BEATEN all season.
In other action yesterday, the determined Badgers defeated their rival, the Sioux, to keep their shot at the Tournament Championship alive, but later fell to the Wolverines in a high scoring 7-5 game. The Sioux got another shot at the Badgers this morning and beat them to advance to the 3rd place game.
Their opponent will be no stranger, even though the spot on the bracket still doesn't have a team name on it. That will be decided before lunch today, or brunch for those of you who forgot the DST change overnight!
Who will it be, the Pioneers or the Wolverines??
The Wolverines have to beat a team they haven't beaten all season in order to play the Gophers, a team that hasn't beaten THEM all season.
The Pioneers have to defeat a team they haven't lost to all season in order to play the Gophers, a team they haven't BEATEN all season.
In other action yesterday, the determined Badgers defeated their rival, the Sioux, to keep their shot at the Tournament Championship alive, but later fell to the Wolverines in a high scoring 7-5 game. The Sioux got another shot at the Badgers this morning and beat them to advance to the 3rd place game.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Gophers, Pioneers Win and Advance!
Tournament buzz was in the air Friday evening at Hastings Civic Arena as the 2009 Squirt Invitational Tournament began.
The stands were filled with proud and excited parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other Squirt players - eager to see which friends' teams would be victorious, and which teams would fill slots in the tournament brackets intersecting with their own intended paths to the Championship.
The first matchup featured the 3rd seed Pioneers facing the 5th seeded Badgers.
The Badgers held tough through most of the first half of the game, but after a valiant effort succombed to the Pioneers' scoring machine, as team in white and red couldn't quite match their opponents' passing and teamwork, and the Pioneers went on to a 5-2 victory.
As the bleachers switched fans, the Gophers team had a private, players only meeting. What was discussed is known only to them, but whatever it was the results on the ice were unmistakable. In an exciting and fast-paced game, the Gophers dominated possession of the puck and exhibited the type of teamwork and hustle for which they have become to be known this season.
All Gophers skaters showed a heightened sense of urgency and Garrett started the scoring on his team's first shot on goal just 10 seconds into the first period. He followed it up with a 2nd goal later in the first to make it a 2 goal lead. Team Captain Kannon had a goal and an assist, and Assistant Captain Zach also each scored a goal with Brett and Anders earning helpers as well!
Defensively, the Gophers' defense was a swarming, attacking herd of maroon marauders; who seemed to always have willing help from a teammate in separating a green jerseyed opponent from the puck. Sunny exemplified this effort when he poke checked a puck from a Sioux skater an instant before he would have had a near perfect scoring chance!
Between the pipes, Jake saved all 9 Sioux shots on goal to earn the shutout.
The Gophers' celebration was short, as they instantly begin preparation for Saturday afternoon's game, in which they'll face-off with the winner of the 10:00AM game between the Pioneers and Wolverines.
Great job to all the teams in the tournament on both sides of the scores!
The games have been very exciting!!
Oh, and GO GOPHERS!!!!!!
The stands were filled with proud and excited parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other Squirt players - eager to see which friends' teams would be victorious, and which teams would fill slots in the tournament brackets intersecting with their own intended paths to the Championship.
The first matchup featured the 3rd seed Pioneers facing the 5th seeded Badgers.
The Badgers held tough through most of the first half of the game, but after a valiant effort succombed to the Pioneers' scoring machine, as team in white and red couldn't quite match their opponents' passing and teamwork, and the Pioneers went on to a 5-2 victory.
As the bleachers switched fans, the Gophers team had a private, players only meeting. What was discussed is known only to them, but whatever it was the results on the ice were unmistakable. In an exciting and fast-paced game, the Gophers dominated possession of the puck and exhibited the type of teamwork and hustle for which they have become to be known this season.
All Gophers skaters showed a heightened sense of urgency and Garrett started the scoring on his team's first shot on goal just 10 seconds into the first period. He followed it up with a 2nd goal later in the first to make it a 2 goal lead. Team Captain Kannon had a goal and an assist, and Assistant Captain Zach also each scored a goal with Brett and Anders earning helpers as well!
Defensively, the Gophers' defense was a swarming, attacking herd of maroon marauders; who seemed to always have willing help from a teammate in separating a green jerseyed opponent from the puck. Sunny exemplified this effort when he poke checked a puck from a Sioux skater an instant before he would have had a near perfect scoring chance!
Between the pipes, Jake saved all 9 Sioux shots on goal to earn the shutout.
The Gophers' celebration was short, as they instantly begin preparation for Saturday afternoon's game, in which they'll face-off with the winner of the 10:00AM game between the Pioneers and Wolverines.
Great job to all the teams in the tournament on both sides of the scores!
The games have been very exciting!!
Oh, and GO GOPHERS!!!!!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
T'was the Night Before the Tourney!
T'was the night before the tournament, and all through the town,
not a Gopher was stirring, not even Joe, the locker room clown.
Their gear was hastily stuffed into their bags with no care,
And the foul smelling odor, you wouldn't smell on a dare!
The Gophers were burrowed deep into tunnels with no lights
With dreams of festering Wolverine bites!
With Jonathon and Sunny preparing their minds for the game,
Anders and Kannon talked of penalty minute fame!
When out on the East rink there arose such a clanging!
It was pucks hitting crossbars and boards and players banging!
There were gold jerseyed Gophers skating with passion
and coaches John, Todd and Brian shouting "Gophers! Let's see more passing!"
The fluorescent lights of the arena shown brightly below
on Payton and Brett shooting shots from down low.
When what to my amazed and wide eyes should appear
But a wrist shot from Sunny hitting Jake right in his ear!
With Coach John changing drills so deftly and quick,
I knew in a moment, a Gophers shooting drill was next!
He shouted to them each and called them by name
as he reminded them all "Tomorrow's a big game!!"
"Now Woody and Zach! Blake, Garrett and Joe!
Get off your butts, it's time to go!"
Keep both hands on your stick! Someone go to the net!
Vegas says I could win 20 on a 10 dollar bet!
As the zamboni cleaned the ice after the hour of hockey,
I was reminded of a lesson my own dad once taught me.
He told me to always take pride in my play
and play the game the way it's meant to be played
and even if the buzzer sounds and you've lost on that day
There's something you get, that won't ever go away
The great feeling you feel when you look down the bench
and see friendships so tight, they're as strong as a wrench
You played hard as a team and they can't take that away
And you're stronger as young men for playing this way
So, win lose or draw, know you fought the good fight,
And whatever place you're in, when they shut off the lights,
Know your parents are proud of you, no matter what the score
And the friends that you've made, could last forever more!
Go Gophers!!!
not a Gopher was stirring, not even Joe, the locker room clown.
Their gear was hastily stuffed into their bags with no care,
And the foul smelling odor, you wouldn't smell on a dare!
The Gophers were burrowed deep into tunnels with no lights
With dreams of festering Wolverine bites!
With Jonathon and Sunny preparing their minds for the game,
Anders and Kannon talked of penalty minute fame!
When out on the East rink there arose such a clanging!
It was pucks hitting crossbars and boards and players banging!
There were gold jerseyed Gophers skating with passion
and coaches John, Todd and Brian shouting "Gophers! Let's see more passing!"
The fluorescent lights of the arena shown brightly below
on Payton and Brett shooting shots from down low.
When what to my amazed and wide eyes should appear
But a wrist shot from Sunny hitting Jake right in his ear!
With Coach John changing drills so deftly and quick,
I knew in a moment, a Gophers shooting drill was next!
He shouted to them each and called them by name
as he reminded them all "Tomorrow's a big game!!"
"Now Woody and Zach! Blake, Garrett and Joe!
Get off your butts, it's time to go!"
Keep both hands on your stick! Someone go to the net!
Vegas says I could win 20 on a 10 dollar bet!
As the zamboni cleaned the ice after the hour of hockey,
I was reminded of a lesson my own dad once taught me.
He told me to always take pride in my play
and play the game the way it's meant to be played
and even if the buzzer sounds and you've lost on that day
There's something you get, that won't ever go away
The great feeling you feel when you look down the bench
and see friendships so tight, they're as strong as a wrench
You played hard as a team and they can't take that away
And you're stronger as young men for playing this way
So, win lose or draw, know you fought the good fight,
And whatever place you're in, when they shut off the lights,
Know your parents are proud of you, no matter what the score
And the friends that you've made, could last forever more!
Go Gophers!!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Lies, Darned Lies, and Statistics?
The phrase (ok, it's been slightly modified to protect the younger readers) refers to the persuasive power of numbers, the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments, and the tendency of people to disparage statistics that do not support their positions.
Whether that's the case or not here is up to you to decide, but here are some interesting statistics regarding the Sioux and Gophers, who face-off in the 1st round of the Squirt tournament this Friday evening in Hastings.
In their last 6 games the Sioux are 1-4-1 averaging 2.33 goals per game while allowing an average of 3 goals per game.
The Gophers are 5-1-0 averaging 4.33 goals per game with a team Goals Against Average of 2.5.
The Gophers have a 3-0 record against the Sioux this season and the average score of those games has been 4.67- 2.33
The Gophers had a 6 game unbeaten streak from 11/23 through New Years Day outscoring their opponents 25-9.
The Sioux's longest consecutive win streak of the season was 3 games which were also the first 3 games of the season. (Before playing the Gophers in week 4!)
From 1/11 - 2/22:
The Sioux were 0-5-2 and averaged 1.6 goals per game.
The Gophers were 6-1-0 and averaged 5 goals per game.
The Sioux scored a total of 3 goals in 3 games against the Wolverines this season.
The Gophers scored 10 times in their first 3 games against the Wolverines this season.
The Gophers were 2-0-1 against the Pioneers, outscoring them 11-6.
The Sioux were 2-2 against the Pioneers, with scoring between them even at 11-11.
The Sioux scored only once or not at all in 5 games this season.
The Gophers were shutout one time, but scored 3 or more goals in every other game this season except one, and they tied that game 2-2.
The Gophers are 6-2-1 in games following a win.
The Sioux are 1-3-3 in games following a loss.
In games following a loss, Jake and the Gophers are undefeated at 4-0 with a stifling 1.75 GAA and have gotten goal support to the tune of a whopping 5.75 scores per game.
Do these statistics guarantee a victory against the Sioux in the 1st round of the Hastings Squirt Tournament this Friday?
Ask anybody who watched the 1980 Winter Olympic medal round matchup between the 100-1 underdog USA and the USSR...
Whether that's the case or not here is up to you to decide, but here are some interesting statistics regarding the Sioux and Gophers, who face-off in the 1st round of the Squirt tournament this Friday evening in Hastings.
In their last 6 games the Sioux are 1-4-1 averaging 2.33 goals per game while allowing an average of 3 goals per game.
The Gophers are 5-1-0 averaging 4.33 goals per game with a team Goals Against Average of 2.5.
The Gophers have a 3-0 record against the Sioux this season and the average score of those games has been 4.67- 2.33
The Gophers had a 6 game unbeaten streak from 11/23 through New Years Day outscoring their opponents 25-9.
The Sioux's longest consecutive win streak of the season was 3 games which were also the first 3 games of the season. (Before playing the Gophers in week 4!)
From 1/11 - 2/22:
The Sioux were 0-5-2 and averaged 1.6 goals per game.
The Gophers were 6-1-0 and averaged 5 goals per game.
The Sioux scored a total of 3 goals in 3 games against the Wolverines this season.
The Gophers scored 10 times in their first 3 games against the Wolverines this season.
The Gophers were 2-0-1 against the Pioneers, outscoring them 11-6.
The Sioux were 2-2 against the Pioneers, with scoring between them even at 11-11.
The Sioux scored only once or not at all in 5 games this season.
The Gophers were shutout one time, but scored 3 or more goals in every other game this season except one, and they tied that game 2-2.
The Gophers are 6-2-1 in games following a win.
The Sioux are 1-3-3 in games following a loss.
In games following a loss, Jake and the Gophers are undefeated at 4-0 with a stifling 1.75 GAA and have gotten goal support to the tune of a whopping 5.75 scores per game.
Do these statistics guarantee a victory against the Sioux in the 1st round of the Hastings Squirt Tournament this Friday?
Ask anybody who watched the 1980 Winter Olympic medal round matchup between the 100-1 underdog USA and the USSR...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Gophers Finish Strong, Look Forward to Tournament!
After seeing the Badgers play several times this season, it's difficult to imagine it's the same team out there on the ice with only 2 conference points.
"They played hard." Payton commented about the Gophers' final regular season opponents.
Final Score: Gophers 5, Badgers 3
"They played hard." Payton commented about the Gophers' final regular season opponents.
Nevertheless, the outcome was the same as the Gophers finished their regular season on a high note, defeating the Badgers 5-3 Sunday morning on Hastings Civic Arena's West Rink. They clinched the 2nd seed in next weekend's tournament with the victory.
Showing the same unselfish teamwork, accurate passing, tenacious defense, and timely and effective goaltending that kept them near the top of the standings all season, the Gophers outshot the Badgers 38-19, and only some fancy flashes of the leather, waffleboard deflections and stick and pad saves by the Badgers' goaltender kept the score as close as it was.
Sometimes, even with the aggressive backcheck of the Gophers, the Badgers were able to put good shots on goal and test Jake in the net. Here is an example of this, as the Badgers attack on the breakout and are able to chip the puck into the zone.
Jake used every part of his body to keep the Gophers in the game Sunday. Here, Jake shows he's got his head into the game:
Sunny got in the scorebook again this week on this pretty deke and shot: (We're not sure how pretty the dance is...)
The game was aggressive and defensive on Sunday. Here Blake, Zach, Payton, Brett and Woody battle the Badgers for possession of the puck.
Passing in the offensive zone was good again Sunday as shown by this pass through traffic by Kannon to Anders who almost scored on the one-timer! Anders and Kannon were among the penalty earners today. Congrats to Anders on his first 1:30 of PIM this season! Way to go! :)
Final Score: Gophers 5, Badgers 3
Hastings Ice Arena Zamboni Driver Strikes it Rich!!
When I was a teenager in Stillwater, my friends and I used to collect the meager bounty on gophers by returning the tails of the furry rodents to the appropriate game management officials.
I believe the Zamboni driver of Hastings Ice Arena who resurfaced the West rink following the Gophers/Wolverines game Saturday might be in the market for a new luxury SUV.
The Gophers played their tails off Saturday afternoon against the Wolverines, outshooting their arch rivals 33-14, but lost the contest 1-0.
Mohammed Ali had Joe Frazier. Magic had Bird. Tom had Jerry. Itchy has Scratchy...
The 2008-2009 Hastings Wolverines seem to have the Hastings Pioneers.
But the Hastings Gophers might have the Wolverines...
(are you still with me??)
In a matchup needing little external build-up or fanfare to boost its anticipation, the 10-3-2 1st place Gophers (in the Conference) met the 11-3-1 2nd place Wolverines in the blue and gold's final conference game of the season.
The game lived up to its pre-game billing and was an exciting defensive game. The Wolverines scored first on a rebound goal that ended up being the only marker of the game despite being outshot by a margin of 33-14 and winning 58% of face-offs for the game.
I believe the Zamboni driver of Hastings Ice Arena who resurfaced the West rink following the Gophers/Wolverines game Saturday might be in the market for a new luxury SUV.
The Gophers played their tails off Saturday afternoon against the Wolverines, outshooting their arch rivals 33-14, but lost the contest 1-0.
Mohammed Ali had Joe Frazier. Magic had Bird. Tom had Jerry. Itchy has Scratchy...
The 2008-2009 Hastings Wolverines seem to have the Hastings Pioneers.
But the Hastings Gophers might have the Wolverines...
(are you still with me??)
In a matchup needing little external build-up or fanfare to boost its anticipation, the 10-3-2 1st place Gophers (in the Conference) met the 11-3-1 2nd place Wolverines in the blue and gold's final conference game of the season.
The game lived up to its pre-game billing and was an exciting defensive game. The Wolverines scored first on a rebound goal that ended up being the only marker of the game despite being outshot by a margin of 33-14 and winning 58% of face-offs for the game.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Pictures from 4-1 victory over Pioneers
Kannon rubs elbows with a Pioneer player while heading towards the defensive zone.
Sunny patrols the blue line.
Payton gets set for a center ice draw.
The Gold Line waits for the puck to drop.
Payton's out front while Joe and Garrett battle for the puck along the boards.
Jake makes the save! The rebound was put into the net by the Pioneers' #5 seconds later.
Jake eyes the puck as it goes into the corner.
Sunny patrols the blue line.
Payton gets set for a center ice draw.
The Gold Line waits for the puck to drop.
Payton's out front while Joe and Garrett battle for the puck along the boards.
Jake makes the save! The rebound was put into the net by the Pioneers' #5 seconds later.
Jake eyes the puck as it goes into the corner.
The Maroon Line helps out on defense as Jake guards the net.
The Gophers talk strategy during the 2nd Intermission.
The Gophers led by 2 with less than a half minute remaining.
Garrett stuffed home the coup de grâce to put it further out of reach.
The Gophers talk strategy during the 2nd Intermission.
The Gophers led by 2 with less than a half minute remaining.Garrett stuffed home the coup de grâce to put it further out of reach.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wolverines, Watch Out!
The Gophers want another shot at you...
And next week they’ll get it. And this time, the Wolverines may be meeting up with the Gophers on Hastings Civic Arena ice one time too many for their liking.
The guys in gold are hitting on all cylinders as the season draws closer to tournament time. Passing is sharper than ever and their defense has just come off a game in which they stifled several of the conference’s scoring leaders, and one of the best teams in the league, and left no doubt of the victor.
In a scene as familiar to Gophers opponents as a Megan Parker prank on Drake and Josh, the Gophers once again scored first and early and applied intense defensive pressure for three full periods in their Sunday evening matchup against the high scoring Pioneers.
Brett scored from the left face-off circle with under 7 gone in the 1st period, and less than 6 minutes into the game, Kannon scored the eventual GWG.
But the keys to this game were defensive pressure and possession of the puck. Most of the contest was spent in the Pioneers’ defensive end of the ice, as the maroon and gold delivered timely, crisp passes and built upon the team defensive effort that has stifled more than one opponent this season. These efforts were apparent on paper through a 34-9 shots-on-goal advantage and team face-off winning percentage of nearly 60%.
Any first-time viewer of Blues Clues could compile those statistics and make an educated analysis of the likely outcome…
The Gophers’ Gold Line brought the heat Sunday, putting 25 of the team’s 34 shots on the Pioneers’ net minder who remarkably allowed only 3 goals while being peppered by 33 Gopher shots for a .909 save percentage on the game. The Gold line finished with a +2 rating, and the Maroon with a +1, as each shift on the ice was marked with a distinct sense of urgency.
The first period ended with the Gophers having more goals scored than the Pioneers had shots-on-goal and found them up 2-0 on a formidable foe with several dangerous offensive weapons. Those dangerous offensive weapons of the Pioneers did put a puck in the net on 7 shots in the 2nd period, but their scoring chances on the game were limited to single digits, as their only goal came off an alert rebound stuff by their #5, Nick who criss-crossed behind #10 Dylan on the way to the net, and was right where he needed to be when the save left a bouncing puck dancing in front of him on the ice 2 feet from the goal line.
Joe earned two penalties in a 7 minute time span during Sunday’s game, but those PIM were masterfully killed off by a determined Gophers PK unit. To their credit, even skating 4 on 5, they didn’t even look outnumbered!
And really, for how much hustle and team play the Gophers were exhibiting, and with how much pressure they were applying on defense, the Pioneers may just as well have put every skater on their roster out on the ice.
Every Gopher player showed superior effort and concentration and should take great pride from this game!!
Brett would score again shortly after the 3rd period began, to boost the lead to 3-1, and Garrett put back the rebound off Joe’s 2nd shot of the period into the back of an unguarded net with under 20 seconds to go, to seal the victory at 4-1 and set up a final chance at redemption for the Gophers as they prepare to meet the Wolverines again for the last time in regular season play.
From spending time around these Gophers players this weekend, I can tell you there’s no other team they’d rather face next Saturday than the team in blue and gold.
One can’t help but notice that the Wolverines are standing between the Gophers and sole possession of 1st place. And the Maroon & Gold locomotive has no plans on stopping, and I thought I saw a Gopher player smiling devilishly at the helm of the mighty Gopher Express with the rest of the Gophers shoveling coal as fast as their little clawed paws can shovel, and that doesn’t bode well for the small animals standing in harm’s way…
Look out, Wolverines…
The Gopher train is coming full speed.
Go Gophers!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Two Score Two as Balanced Gophers Attack Sinks Sioux
Pregame chatter in the Gophers' locker room Sunday circled around the key injuries to Garrett and Zach, who earlier in the week had suffered a concussion and broken toe, respectively. So it almost seemed more like a gesture of toughness, than anything when Zach walked through the door into the locker room... Except for the fact that he was fully dressed and ready to play. The boost the Gophers must have felt from seeing their Assistant Captain (and scorer of 5 goals in the last 2 games, including each game's GWG) stroll in with his familiar beaming smile, and seemingly oblivious to any pain whatsoever, must have been tremendous.The first period jumped off with the Gophers' typical fast start, as Kannon fired one into the net from the slot after only 3 and a half minutes of play to give his squad the early 1-0 lead. The lead was short-lived however, as the Sioux answered just a minute and a half later as their #4 put in a rebound off a shot from #10 to knot it at 1.
The tie was broken 3 minutes later, as Payton skated the puck towards the Sioux goal and put a shot on net that bounced right out to Blake who easily netted the puck to put the maroon and gold up again, 2-1.
But the first period would end in a tie as the guys in green scored with under 3 to go, on a goal by their #10, this time assisted by #4. That same combination would get together for another marker late in the 3rd, and accounted for 10 of the Sioux's 25 shots on goal for the game, for 3 of their 4 goals and all 4 of their assists.
The second period was more of a defensive battle, with the Gophers leading in shots by only 5-4. The only scoring of the frame came on the first shift of the period. The Gophers' second line took the ice for the opening draw which was won by Sunny and picked up by Joe who fired a shot from inside the right face-off circle that went off a pad, got collected by Sunny and promptly got put right back at the goal and into the back of the net. This pattern of winning face-offs was repeated all game, as Gophers' centers Kannon and Sunny dominated the draws. Kannon won an outstanding 11/18 overall, and was 7/7 in the 3rd period. Sunny took an amazing 17/19 face-offs for the game, led all skaters with 8 shots on goal, and scored twice.
The third period began with the Gophers up 3-2, and in one of their most intense contests of the season. Jake and Joe got together again in the opening of the third much the same way as they did in the 2nd, and with that the Gophers held a 2 goal lead until Blake took the puck in unassisted and put home the eventual game winner with just over 8:00 to play to give them a 5-2 lead that seemed to put the game out of reach.
But the Sioux weren't about to give up without a fight, and with 3:00 to go, the Sioux's #4 once again put in a pass from #10 to close within 5-3. And then it got really interesting, when on their very next shift on the ice, the same line scored, with #22 taking the feed from #10 this time and the game was all of a sudden 5-4 and the Sioux were revitalized and surging.
But time was running down under 2 minutes, and they pulled their goalie for the man advantage.The strategy nearly allowed them to earn the equalizer, as they logged 6 shots on goal in the final minute and a half. Jake was up to the task between the pipes however, even making several diving saves and having to lunge out of the crease to cover a few loose pucks.
But Jake stonewalled the Sioux's efforts at stealing a tie, and the Gophers were able to clear the puck from their zone and Joe went with it, carrying it all the way down the ice ahead of the Sioux defender and deposited it neatly into the net with :20.4 remaining to seal the 6-4 victory for the Gophers' 9th triumph of the season.In another solid effort on defense, Jonathon played well, and during the 3rd period as the Gophers were on the attack and our #5 was patrolling the blue line, the puck was stolen and a Sioux winger started streaking down the center of the ice towards the Gophers' zone and Jonathon found himself all alone, the last line of defense. I'm not sure if Jonathon yet knows who General George Custer was, or about the Battle of Little Big Horn, but either way, he faced a daunting challenge at that moment. He held his composure, skated backwards down the center of the ice, not allowing his opponent to take the middle away and get a good scoring chance. It worked. He was able to poke the puck away and stifle the 1-1 rush without allowing a shot or a pass! Jonathon and his line mates, both offensive and defensive, each ended with a +2 rating on the game. Both Gopher offensive lines manufactured 13 shots on goal and scored 3 times, demonstrating the balance in their attack.
Also playing with distinction Sunday were Anders, Woody and Brett who didn't make it into the scorebook with goals or assists this week, but whose hustle, determination and teamwork were decisive in achieving the outcome.
Payton skated hard again this week, earning an assist on the first of Blake's 2 goals, and putting 4 shots on goal. Kannon scored the first marker of the game, had 5 shots on goal and played the center iceman's position nearly flawlessly as he repeatedly led the backcheck effort on defense, and never let a play by an opposing skater go unchallenged. 
Joe assisted Sunny on both the Gophers' 3rd and 4th goals of the game, and had the empty net deal-sealer at the end.So the top 3 teams in the conference each added a W to their record this week leaving the standings the same as they were when the weekend began, with the Gophers leading the conference points list, and the Wolverines up a point on the Pioneers and Gophers in the overall standings.
It won't get any easier next week, when the Gophers take on the Pioneers who share their overall record, but have one more conference loss than their rodent rivals, at 6-3-2 compared with the Gophers' mark of 7-2-2.
The Pioneers defeated Farmington White on Sunday 3-2 with their own #25, Jake, leading the way with 2 goals and an assist.
Thanks to Doug Thooft for game photographs!!
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