Finally!

This weekend, I played two full games and got a lot of ice time. I think it was like a tryout for me. I played OK on Friday night. I was really nervous, but I just kept telling myself that I belong here in this league. I tried to boost myself with a lot of positive thinking. I made some good plays, some good passes, but I made one very bad mistake and gave up a goal. We lost 5-0, but I don't think the score dictates how hard we played or how well we played. It was a much closer game than the scoreboard read. The pucks just didn't bounce our way. I was a little disappointed with the game I played on Friday night because I know I can play better than that. I think the nerves and just the fact that it was really my first game in the NAHL combined to make it sort of a tough game for me. I don't think I played bad, but I know I could've played better.

On Saturday night, I bounced back and had a really good game. I just played solid. I made some very good passes and played a really smart game. I wasn't as nervous on Saturday, and I was determined to fix my mistakes and prove that I can play on this team. I used my long stick to get in passing and shooting lanes in the defensive zone, made some good passes in the neutral zone, and played conservatively, but smart in the offensive zone, taking a few shots. I used my body in the corners, and I think I made some really good passes to get things started in the defensive zone. Again, the bounces didn't go our way; our team took a few inopportune penalties, and we couldn't put the puck in the net. We lost 3-1, but our effort was there. I really think the game could've gone either way. We had a chance to make a statement against a first-place Texas Tornado team, but we came up a little short this weekend. I think we were definitely close, but we have to bear down, bury our chances, and limit our mental mistakes to compete with the best teams in this league every weekend.

After the game, Coach walked by me and said, "Much better tonight." I think I played a lot better on Saturday too. I think I will only continue to get better as I get more confident and experience more game situations. I'm going to talk to Coach this week and hear more about how he thinks I played. I'm really excited I finally got to play, though. I know I have a lot more to work on in the next few months, and I'm not going to shy away from the workload. I'm confident that I am here for a reason and that I can be a difference maker on this team. It's not just my mind telling me positive thoughts anymore. I really do belong in this league.