Here are four big moments that stood out to me for my first season with the Detroit Falcons:

Second Practice - First Prank

Managing to switch out the water in the big cooler with pickle juice was absolutely a masterpiece in my opinion. It didn't get anyone too sick, it was harmless, and it definitely loosened everyone up trying to find the culprit. Now that the regular season is over I feel safe admitting doing it, and that I'm planning my next prank. Don't worry - it'll be equally as epic!

Game 16 - First Goal


My first goal came in our third game, which was unfortunately a 6-2 loss to the Kraken. I retrieved the puck after they had dumped it in our end, and then caught the Kraken on a bad change. Making sure that everyone was on-side, I skated the puck in, and passed it to Reid who was following up in the slot. He made a hard shot on net that was turned away by Hroch. Lhotsky tipped the rebound to Renkrac, who then set me up on a one-timer from the left point. That slapshot made the most satisfying "PING" sound I've ever heard as it went far post and in on Hroch, who could only watch it go past. The boys mobbed me on the boards, but unfortunately we couldn't come back to make it a game. That puck is up on my mantelpiece - 1st goal, and 1st point, in the SMJHL.

Game 22 - First Assist


Funnily enough, my first assist came after my first goal - not the usual for defencemen, at least! This one was a pretty simple play but one was that satisfying. I managed to read Powers' intent on the pass, blocked it at their blue line, and then got the puck to Eddy right at the right-hand hash marks. He made no mistake and put it bar down, he's got such a nice shot. This puck is also up on my mantelpiece, and sometimes people ask if I have the games turned around in terms of order.

Game 38 - 2-point game, 2nd star of the game, first multi-point game


This memory was of my first multi-point game, so that was awesome.

The first point was an assist on Reid's first goal - couldn't be a more deserving guy, really - after he won a faceoff in their zone. We were down a goal to the Berserkers and we were really pouring on the pressure. We got the puck and set up in their zone, and started cycling the puck and putting shots on net. They were pretty tired, I think it was an icing that caused the faceoff, so the Newfies were pretty static. I think Reid got 3 shots on goal in total for that shift - and a bunch more that missed! O'Shea and I were moving the puck back and forth, making the defenders spend energy to cover our lanes, and then setting Reid up for shots from the slot. It was pretty sweet when it blew past Vassallo glove-side and found the back of the net. I made sure to grab the puck and give it to our trainer for Reid later!

The second point, Burlok already described pretty well above. He grabbed the loose puck as the Berserkers went on another bad change, he passed it to me as we started the break out, and then I passed it back to him at the Berserker blue line. He got it in, shot it, and I picked up the rebound off Okabe's shot block as I was crashing the net hard. That was a pretty sweet goal, as it was a tough backhand shot - I wasn't sure that I could elevate it enough but I did the job!

Both the game puck and the game stick are up on the mantelpiece as well. I really need to find a better way to display them.