Fun-damentals

Saturday The Boy had a hockey tournament in a neighboring town. They played two games, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

The kids play five on the ice at a time, in one or two minute shifts. When the buzzer sounds they know to skate back to the bench and the next line comes out to play. It is the first time The Boy has played an organized game.

It is important to mention here that at this level they play with nets to score in, but without goaltenders to guard the nets.

I've wondered many times how the kids know what to do in a game. Sure they know to skate after the puck and to try to shoot the puck into the net, but what about the rest?

Apparently they haven't learned the rest. Because, towards the end of the second game The Boy finally scored. Twice. For the other team.

Everyone cheered. The parents, the other kids, the referee. The Boy celebrated his goals. The coaches gave him high fives. It was really quite cute.

Thank heavens at this level they don't keep score.

I know the goaltender's purpose is to keep the puck out of the net. Maybe it's also to remind the rest of the team to shoot at the guy wearing the different jersey.