Ah, hockey

So it's 12:15a and I'm almost ready to make the trek upstairs to sleep.  I got home around 11:30p after the game and have been preparing tomorrow's food most of the rest of the time.

The game went well - a 4-3 win - and I noticed a few differences in my play.  First and foremost I didn't run out of energy for the game and my lungs stayed right with me.  I needed to play a double-shift a few times, but it didn't hit me too bad.  I continued to play my slightly conservative style of defense which didn't give me a lot of opportunities to see what sort of speed or reaction boosts I might have, but maybe for the next game.

I spent most of the game thinking it would be just the breath that would be different, but my final shift of the game gave me an opportunity to test my strength.  We were up 4 - 3 with 3 minutes remaining and the opposing team put out their strongest set of guys.  They really wanted that tying goal, so it was a lot of physical action.  Mind you, this is a "no checking" league, but it doesn't mean we don't do a little pushing and shoving from time to time. All night I'd been paired against #1 on their team and we'd been battling nicely.  Here at the end we were locking up continually.  Prior to PCP I probably would have had a lot more difficult of a time keeping my balance and / or keeping him off the puck, but tonight I held my own, which (I figure) ultimately made a difference in them not scoring.

It was equally nice to come home with an even energy level - it used to be that I'd be exhausted, but completely hyped-up from the game.  Tonight it feels a lot calmer and certainly not exhausted - just well worked.  I also found myself a little more even-minded during the game, whereas I used to be a little more of a hothead when things got physical I just went with it tonight and gave back what I was given.

I'm afraid I'm going to fail the sleep portion of our routine, but if I go now at least I'll be close.

Go Team Cookie Monster! (?)