Chill out, it’s beer league! 25th September, 07

Ok, so I play in a recreational (aka:beer) hockey league, I have for years. Over the years I have had my share of fun, exercise and unfortunately, injuries from these leagues.Which leagues do I play in, or have played in?

Each of these are respectable leagues, some better than others. I personally liked my spring league at the Great Pacific Forum the most. The team I was on was competitive enough where we actually won the playoffs (and the ‘cup’). However, what was most enjoyable was the league, and how the referees were consistent and cracked down on the cheap shots.

Getting to my point; (as the proverb goes) there is always a few bad apples. In Richmond, unfortunately one of those guys was on our team. So it wasn’t uncommon for our games to get rough. It’s the Richmond League I can thank for why I now play with a full face mask. My first game as one of the ‘Ice’ saw a fight and some nasty work with the stick. Specifically, one of our players ended up with a stick bruise across his back. That’s right, from one corner to the other, he had a bruise in the form of a diagonal line across his back.

Fast forward to UBC; where I joined the Iceholes (and still play with these great guys). Last game of the regular season, we’re winning our game by a goal or two, seconds left and I collide with the *&%@wad on the other team. We both go down, and as I turn to get up he swings his stick to hit me on the back of my thigh. I tell you, I could barely get up after this. Turns out I ended up with a bruise that resembled a full-size football. With a distinct mark where his stick made contact. Definitely not cool. The ref gives him a penalty; big deal. That was it.

Since then I’ve played fairly regularly and again I’m with the Iceholes for this winter at Burnaby 8-rinks. Just last game, there was yet another jerk on the opposing team. All game he was lippy and passing threat s to a couple of our guys. Unfortunately for me I had a run-in with this guy in front of our net where he continued to bark pissy remarks (common in hockey). Big deal, who cares… I just ignore that bullshit. What came next, was his stick, leaving some pretty ugly bruises on the arm and a nice gash on the back of my knee. So the ref gives him a 2 minute penalty for his lame use of the stick. Big deal.

So, what is it with the few that can’t manage to control themselves? It’s inevitable, once you get out on the ice (or any game for that matter) the blood is pumping and the adrenaline has all on edge. Of course, one has to assume some risk when you play sports but gimme a break, it’s beer league!

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