Life in the UK: The First 50 Days

Hello goalies, goalie fans, and parents!

I hope this first update of the year finds everyone enjoying the start of yet another hockey season. I am shocked that it has already been fifty days since I last stood on American soil...

Since my Thomas Cook Airlines outbound flight - direct from JFK to Manchester - touched down that sunny day in mid August, it has been a series of highs and lows, as is the perpetual cycle of hockey life.

In late August, the pre-season saw my new team, the Manchester Storm, short of a few players who were still awaiting official approval to enter the United Kingdom. However, our abbreviated squad mustered up the energy for several dramatic games which included a home shootout victory against Nottingham, and a road win in a very cold, archaic arena straight out of the 1980's (I don't think it has been updated since) in Peterborough, England.

The boys in our team polos and tracksuits (a.k.a. "trax-edo") at a meet-and-greet event with the fans

The Storm then travelled to Cardiff, Wales, the second country visited in as many weeks. In our first Challenge Cup game of the year, we suffered a tough 5-1 loss in front of a spirited packed house. Although we didn't come out with any points, a rowdy and energetic atmosphere was provided by the Welsh spectators in my first official game in the Elite Ice Hockey League. After a long bus trip back to Manchester and a quick sleep, the Storm captured its first home win against the Edinburgh Capitals in an impressive 8-1 win the next afternoon. It was definitely a well-deserved win for all those involved and an honor to be a part of a very important milestone for the team. It had been 13 years since the Manchester Storm had played a competitive game after the team ceased operations in 2002.

Barely making a save in Wales against the Cardiff Devils -- I swear that one didn't go in 

The following weekend, the team made its first real "roadie" to Northern Ireland where we would battle the Belfast Giants. We caught our flight from Manchester in the morning, grabbed a quick bite and nap at the hotel in the afternoon, and played in front of another great crowd that very same evening. As a result of this trip, I have a newfound respect for players in the NHL who play on the same day of a flight. Travel can be extremely draining no matter how long or short the duration. We ended up losing 6-2. However on a positive note (all press is good press), we made The Hockey News, playing the part of the victim on a couple of amazing individual plays by Giants' player and former Boston University forward Chris Higgins.

You can see the video clips on The Hockey News website below. I am obviously the guy in net doing an impression of a deer in headlights on both goals:  http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/watch-eihl-player-dish-two-of-the-most-jaw-dropping-assists-youll-see-all-season/

Remember goalies, it's good to be humbled once in a while.

Game Day: our plane to Belfast -- not the biggest plane ever

The following week was one of the more memorable weeks of my time spent in the UK so far. After a few tough losses on the ice, it was great to get some down time to take my mind off hockey for a while and experience the city of Manchester. A few teammates and I took the train downtown, where we did some sightseeing and snapped a few photos of the picturesque buildings.

Manchester Town Hall in Albert Square

Later in the week, a couple of my teammates and I were lucky enough to get great seats to a Manchester City football (soccer) match. Up against the top team from the Italian league, Juventus FC, the blue and white 'Man City' put in a valiant effort but fell short 2-1 in Champions League action. The sheer beauty of the stadium and energy of the crowd was enough entertainment in itself, let alone witnessing up close the talent of some of the best in the world.

Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City FC. Attendance for this game was 50,000+ fans! 

The fellas and I (wearing my new 'Man City' blue and white scarf)

After a few days of fun, it was back to work for the Storm where we eventually got back on the winning track and defeated the Coventry Blaze to snap a four-game losing streak. Over the next couple weeks after a few tough games in Scotland, our team showed its character and came up with another home win against Edinburgh in exciting shootout fashion --see video highlights of the match https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6BpGZONQEc

As I said earlier, hockey can be a roller coaster of ups and downs, so it is especially important for you younger 'tendies to keep a positive attitude and not get discouraged when things don't go as planned. We all get beat once in a while, but it's how you respond that counts. It's this part of the game -- the emotional aspect -- that will become very, very important in years to come as many goalies that move up the hockey pyramid already have the physical skill (e.g. skating) and mental skill (e.g. reading the play).

So remember...keep your head up, put the work in, trust in your abilities, and the saves and wins will come !!!

Until next time, keep the biscuit out of the basket...

Cheers,

Zane