Dec 07, 2014 | Craig McLaren | 706 views
PHEW!!!!!!!
Danny Rose was a man on a mission this afternoon as the HAWKS took on the Waterloo Wolves. His mission was to help stop the bleeding in the HAWKS recent slide. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
"It has certainly been a tough stretch for us" indicated a relieved Coach Craig. "I think we were all a little stressed right from the players, to the staff and I am sure the parents as well. We really need that W today and we got it. The thing that was lost in the win was the fact that we beat a team that was higher then us in the standings and that has beat us a number of times this season. I don't think it was our best game but right now a win is a win. I can't say enough about how well Rosie played!!! Great game for him for sure."
As I walked through the hallway by the dressing room before the game there seemed to be a lot of tension around the room. That said, trainer John (Rudy) Papalia was on a mission to change that. "The boys definitely seemed a little stressed and a bit of a losing streak like we have been going through will do that to a team. It was my goal to get things back in line. Sure the boys have to meet expectations of playing hockey but we wanted to put the fun back into it...help alleviate the stress and focus on the game. The coaches have always told the boys that hockey is a game of mistakes and the staff expects them to make mistakes. There are two types of mistakes...ones that happen out of being lazy and ones that happen even when a player is working hard. The mistakes made when the boys are working hard are 100% forgivable. ALL hockey players make mistakes and we just want the boys to understand that. They are gripping their sticks a little too tight and they need to relax a bit and just play."
The HAWKS did just that. They worked hard through three periods and held on for a big win!
"So after that game we are 2 points out of 4th! That's pretty impressive" indicated Coach Dave. "I think at this point we don't need to worry about the standings but just play the game. We will have a few good practices this week and get back to work next Sunday. I think its important for the boys to learn it takes hard work and focus to be a consistent hockey team. They can't just show up and expect to win without doing what it takes to win in both practices and games. There were a lot of smiles around that room tonight and the boys know that with hard work they see the rewards. Hard work is not just lacing up the skates and skating as hard as they can - hard work also includes doing the right things, sticking to the game plan that the coaches have prepared for them on top of working hard. I am really looking forward to practice and get back on the ice with the boys!"
That same hallway I walked prior to the game seemed to be a totally different place afterwards. Smiles from the coaching staff (yes even Coach Craig!!) said it all. The tension was lifted and there stood 4 proud staff members and behind closed doors the sounds of 17 relieved hockey players, 10 year old boys from the Atom MD HAWKS was music to their ears.
(HSN...From the HAWKS nest)
HAWKS Chirps
- GREAT to see Fraze snipe a big goal today and get the monkey off his back!
- Best hit of the night...Trainer Rudy clothes lining Pimmy during a post goal celebration!! Atta boy Rudy! Happy to see Pimmy smile about it afterwards...that said, when doesn't Pimmy have a smile on his face?
- BIG weekend for ex on-ice helper Leah Whittaker. A strong weekend vs. a tough Toronto team! Great job Whitts!!!
- Ummmm did I hear the HAWKS have a new mascot??? "CAW CAW!!!"
- Lol...ohhh there goes Nelson...AGAIN!!!