Front Yard Hockey

Some people like hockey so much that they flood their back yards to make their own rinks. In fact, men could see a service advertised at a certain location at Parade that offered to bring a tanker truck full of water to flood the yard as soon as they turned on the hose. (Hint: that was an appropriate image at this particular location.)

After they build their rinks, homeowners probably put down plywood paths so that they can get out there with skates. Maybe they even have nets or other goal markers. In extreme cases, they might even have boards. Well, Dylan has gone one better than all that. He convinced Ruth to put the rink in their front yard.

Here's part of the crew that were using some ice time last Sunday afternoon. Left to right it's Dylan, Ben (who's not on the Spartan team, but plays a lot for another team), Gavin and Willy. Max B. had already gone home by the time I got there, but he was playing in this game, too. When I showed up the score was something like 42-46, but the first period had lasted, like, 3 hours, so there was plenty of time to score.

Here's the view of the rink, with Ben demonstrating some puck, er, ball, handling on the ice. Note the community garden across the street. Only a few hundred yards beyond flows the mighty Mississippi. It's pretty impressive set up: nets, plywood over the sidewalks leading to the house, a shovel to stand in for the Zamboni and flashlights hanging from the trees for night play. There's even boards, even though they're only the right height for hamsters.

Dylan mentioned that cars often slow down to gawk at the rink. Great job, Dylan and Gavin for setting it up.

Scrimmage v Edina, Part 5

The game continued with some rough play.

Here's Max D. in front of the net, nearly in the crease, trying to tip in the rebound as our offensive lines have been taught and attempt several times each game.

Next thing we see, Max is on the ice, surrounded by the white jerseys of our opponents, whose fists are rising and falling! I think they got the penalty this time.

Later, Max took a pretty good hit out by the red line. But he got up and kept skating.

It wasn't all fighting. Here's another shot of Garrett, looking happy to be in the game.

The game ended finally, the teams having played a slightly long third period to use up the ice time. Jackson had a reason to smile as he accepted his team mate's congratulations: the final score was 6-1 in Richfield's favor.

Scrimmage v Edina, Part 4

This game against Edina was the most contentious we've yet played. It all started because they just weren't able to score on either Andy P. or Jackson.

Here Jackson has snagged the puck, and all the players start to close in looking for the rebound. But Jackson held on, and the whistle blew.

Next, we were astounded to see Jackson punching one of the players in front of the net. Now Jackson is no angel, but he is well respected by the other boys on the Spartan team for being level-headed.

It turns out that one of the opposing players had slashed Jackson's hand on the back side, where there's no padding, after the whistle, hoping to dislodge the puck. The coaches restrained them, and the game went on, but not until Jackson received a penalty. It's not very common for a goalie to get a penalty. Eric sacrificed himself, serving Jackson's time in the box in his place.

Jackson continued playing, and playing well...

...he did let one goal in (the puck is already behind him in this photo) but it was a good shot from the opposing side.

It's great to see our skaters stick up for themselves, especially when the opposing team plays a little too hard. The Edina team continued to do that, as we'll see in the next, and final, post.

Scrimmage v Edina, Part 3

More photos from the game.

Dylan moving the puck.

Henri.

Garrett.

Instructions from Coach Johnson between periods.

Henri being congratulated for one of his goals.

Scrimmage v Edina, Part 2

The Spartans scored 6 goals to Edina's 1.

Marco.

Jacob.

Henri congratulating Jacob after Jacob's goal. Henri scored twice himself.

Jackson, who had an unusual game (more later.)

Jackson again, spearing the puck.

Scrimmage v Edina, Part 1

The Spartans beat Edina on Monday, February 23, at the St Louis Park rink. The game was fast moving, our offense was awesome and our defense nearly impenetrable.

Andy P. in the net.

Hunter.

Max K. watching the action...

...and in the middle of it.

There's lots of strategizing on the bench. Here Matthew comments on a play.

Scrimmage v Bloomington Kennedy, Part 5

This is the last post from the game against Bloomington Kennedy on February 19.

Andy P. made several saves.

Andrew S. with a pass.

You can't see the puck here, but I think it's hidden behind the blade of the opponent's stick. Max B. is about to take it from him.

Willy on defense.

Let's end the coverage of this game the way it began in part 1 with a photo of Gavin handling the puck. This photo gives shows the explosive starts that leave many of his opponents wondering where he went.

Scrimmage v Bloomington Kennedy, Part 4

More shots from Thursday night.

Henri was a ball of fire in the corners and against the boards.

Marco contemplating his next move.

Max D. falling off a pass.

Max K. is the last line of defense here, although with him in position and Matthew and Max B. coming up from their flank the offense don't really have a chance.

Now this is a really unusual photo, one that I'm really proud of. Hunter wears his helmet really low on his forehead, and he usually has his head angled slightly down as he handles the puck or watches an opponent. But here's proof that he doesn't play by sense of smell. You can see his eyes!

Scrimmage v Bloomington Kennedy, Part 3

Here are some more shots of offense and defense, offense first.

This is a pass from Andrew S. to the front of the net.

And a similar pass from Max D. As you can see, our opponents had some very large players on defense, here accentuated by the perspective in the photo.

Marco was on the receiving end of this pass.

On to defense. Here are two shots of Jackson making saves.

It looks like the shot will get past him, but he prevailed here.

This shot came from number 26, just visible at the far right side of the frame.

Scrimmage v Bloomington Kennedy, Part 2

The north rink at Parade is the best rink for photography, bar none.

Garrett looking for a pass.

Wyatt just after sending the puck over the red line toward the opponents goal.

Matthew getting ready for incoming offensive skaters.

Jacob crossing the red line.

Max K. in control after breaking up a play.

Scrimmage v Bloomington Kennedy, Part 1

On February 19 at 7:00 PM the Richfield Spartans played against Bloomington Kennedy at the north rink of Parade Ice Gardens. The Spartans won 2-1, but their score would have been much higher if it reflected their domination of the other team. The Spartans were passing effectively, but both teams seemed to play slowly. Possibly all the skaters are just tired after a long week of school.

As always, Gavin was responsible for moving the puck past the blue line.

Marco and Jacob scored here. I think it was Jacob who scored, and Marco had the assist.

Henri kept the opponents very busy.

Gavin in the corner.

Max B. in front of the net.