Kaz's Entry - Things that make me Happy

Timbit's hockey.

Now, I confess this adorable thing has really only been in my heart since meeting one Nathan whom I've dated now for 3 and a half years. He loves hockey and because of that, I've come to love it too. Timbit's hockey is the first time little future NHL'ers will touch the ice with gear on (usually). Ages 5 or so they arrive at the rink with all of their gear on except for their skates. This makes for some adorable little waddling and stories of being dressed on the way to the rink in the backseat of a van or the side seat of a pick up truck.

These little guys play what we like to call "swarm hockey" positions don't really matter, all that matters is puck. Touching the puck is your only goal. Only goal. This makes for some heart attack inducing cuteness as you watch 10 little specs on the ice all chase after this piece of hard cold rubber. Once the lucky guy reaches the puck they take that mini stick of theirs and hit it as hard as they can, knocking themselves and anyone close over onto their bottoms. They all get up in time to watch the second wave reach the puck and fall over and they get the puck again.

Now, once they get close enough to the goalie to be within scoring distance that little boy inside all that padding is probably so excited to be in the game and have that puck so close it's a miracle he can stand. I mean, all that padding and that use stick and weird gloves. It makes for some squeeing on my part. This is the guy that had to be placed on the ice by a coach because he cant bend his knees enough to do it himself. However, that puck gets closer and closer and once it's close enough it pounces on it. In this all or nothing move it really comes down to luck as to whether or not he even gets the puck. If he does, the benches erupt with cheering and if he doesn't the benches erupt with cheering.

The smiles that you see on the faces of these small children are the same smiles you'll see on the faces of hockey players who are the lucky ones who still play this game they love and will always love.