Breakfast Club: Week Five

We are now halfway through the fall program. Attendance was pretty good despite opening day for deer season. Would you rather be sitting in a swamp or playing hockey at sunrise? It was more skating and puck handling today. We started out with quick skating between the red and blue lines; we completed that without incident but we might as well go right to the ‘Scottie Play of the Day.’ The next drill was a one-on-one. Scottie is carrying the puck. Laura is playing “D”. He dekes right, then left and she is hanging with him. He’s running out of room so he breaks for the net. Get the video running, it’s time for “Running of the Bulls, Scottie style”. Laura takes the hit. Oh no, do we call 911 or the county morgue? Wait, she bounces back to her feet. This is like surviving a grizzly bear attack. Good job Laura! Tune in next week for another Scottie Play of the Day. He doesn’t plan it; it just happens. Oh yeah, Scottie scored in scrimmage today.

The skating skill drill of the day. Ready for this one? I can’t even explain it. Another player sits behind you, moves his stick back and forth, you jump over the stick as it passes by while you’re dribbling the puck and looking down the ice. I felt like the dog act in a three-ring circus (too bad Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus left town last week!). No way! What sicko thought this one up? I wonder … I give everyone credit for doing this one. People were doing it well, excellent coordination.

Speaking of Lyle … did you guys hear it today during the pivot drills? Drill Sergeant Lyle was loosing his voice, but he recovered, Thankfully? I think one of the worst feelings while playing hockey is when you’re playing D and the puck carrier blows by you because you didn’t power pivot with the puck carrier. Doing a power pivot without skipping a beat is a very valuable skill.

How about Ronnie our goalie today? He was the fourth coach on the ice giving tips to shooters. I didn’t even know Ronnie could talk. We ought to put him in caffeine shock before every session. I figured out there is a hierarchy in the coaching staff. We all know who’s at the top of the pyramid. Scott must be somewhere in the middle, but poor Dave. Come scrimmage time, hey rookie Dave, play goal. He didn’t even flinch. Granted we don’t have dangerous shots, but no gear playing goal? You Da’ Man Dave.

Jeff C made it twice in a row now. He must have worked things out at work. He and Randy team up a lot and are probably the better skaters on the ice. Everyone has a routine before the session. Jeff has a dozen donuts and coffee in the parking lot before class and is ready to go. This comes from years of police training. Are you guys as worn out as I am after the session? Folks, have a great week. Kirk out.