When in Rome....

Our Bantam boys team had yet another good hockey weekend. Now with six wins in a row, they also had an interesting Sunday afternoon playing a very talented girl's team. Going into today's scrimmage with the Lysander U-16 girls team, the boys mistakenly thought the game would be a cakewalk. But the girls proved them wrong and both teams worked hard the whole game. While there wasn't supposed to be any checking, I'm told the girls found a way to "bump into" a few boys. Good for them!

The morning matchup with Rome was a real nail biter. At least for me it was. (I'll book an appointment with my salon first thing in the morning). The teams were very evenly matched and both goalies were outstanding. After trailing much of the game, our boys battled back for an exciting 3-2 victory that had everyone in the stands buzzing and remarking on that's how hockey at this age ought to be played. Very few penalites. Good clean hockey.
Good memories.

Good Banter for Bantams

I'm all for giving our texting teens thumbs a rest and replacing those cellphones as often as possible with a good book that will get them thinking, especially when we can get them thinking about stuff that matters. Coach Mike Zandri's suggestion for our young bantam hockey players to add the book, "My Personal Best" to their reading list is an excellent recommendation. It's a good read, not very weighty and chalk full of good lessons for any young athlete (and coach).

The book shares the journey of legendary baseketball coach John Wooden, detailing his triumphs and struggles. What he learned along the way will no doubt inspire your teen and perhaps your whole team. John Wooden is a man who got it right on and off the court.
Our copy of the book is filled with highlights and dog ears where I know we'll want to keep going back to look again at his earned wisdom and pyramid defining success. While there are too many to list, here are a few of our favorite takeaways;

" No player is bigger or better than the team."

"If you do enough small things right, big things can happen."

" Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worthwhile or long lasting."

"Be more interested in finding the best way, not just in having it your way."

" Motivation must come from the belief that ultimate success lies in giving your personal best."

John Wooden celebrated his 99th birthday this month. Happy birthday coach.

Check out John Wooden's website here.

Good Banter for Bantams

I'm all for giving our texting teens thumbs a rest and replacing their cellphones as often as possible with a good book they'll want to read. Coach Mike Zandry's recommended reading for our bantam hockey team

Good Banter for Bantams

I'm all for getting our texting teens thumbs a rest and replacing those cellphones as often as possible with a good book in their hands. Coach Mike Zandry made a great recommendation for a book that underscores the value of

Good Banter for Bantams

I'm all for giving our texting teens thumbs a rest and replace those cellphones with a good book that will get them

Let the "Fun"draising Begin

Time to put on our thinking caps, roll up our sleeves and put our best fundraising feet forward so our kids can enjoy a few tournaments and have a memorable season. Ugh. It's always a struggle, isn't it? Youth hockey teams looking for a way to raise money with just a little planning and not a lot of work, may want to consider giving the "Fleece Hat Lady" a call. I met Nancy Townsend today at the Skaneateles Ice Arena where she was selling funky fun hockey fleece hats (pictured above) for 5 dollars, along with neck-to nose warmers and matching mittens. They come in a variety of colors and she has other sports-themed hats as well. Nancy says if you let her set up a booth at your game/tournament event, she will donate a percentage of her profits to your team.
Nancy, from Oswego, can be reached at 315-342-0815,or e-mail ntownsend1@hotmail.com
Hats off to Nancy!

What's Cooking Hockey Moms?

If the answer to that question is 'not much' because you have no time, take some comfort in knowing you have plenty of company in the harried and hurried arena of youth hockey. Our Hockey Moms network is here to help you get a home cooked meal on the table and make it to practice on time. Veteran hockey mom Amy Colclough has actually done meal planning for hockey moms over the years including casseroles, lots of crock pot stuff, and tips on shopping efficiently. This week she offers a recipe for a no-fuss mid-week meal that is sure to fill the bellies and please the palettes of your hungry hockey player. It’s called Perfect Meatloaf in 25 minutes;

The Perfect Meatloaf: 25 minutes

Preheat oven to 375 deg
In bowl place:
1.5 lbs 95% ground beef
1 box of dry stove top stuffing (I use low sodium) take inner bag out and crush the hard stuffing cubes a little
1 can healthy request Tomato Soup (undiluted)
1 large egg, or 2 small ones
Optional: ¼ cup finely chopped onion and / or green pepper
¼ cup milk

Mix in bowl until combined well: do NOT OVER MIX. Meatloaf will be tough!
Take regular sized muffin tin, spray well with non-stick cooking spray evenly divide meat mixture into muffin spots. Top with ketchup or BBQ sauce, bake for about 25 minutes or until done.
You could put in loaf pan – you just need to cook longer.

Thanks Amy! Boy that sounds yummy and easy. I can’t wait to mix it up and throw it in the oven. Do you have a favorite quick and pleasurably delicious recipe to share? Let us know below.

Kicking Off The Season

I’ll use my son’s current favorite word to describe how the team was feeling going into the first game of their first tournament today; “sketchy.” Understandable, considering the first game they played two weeks ago in Rochester was rather painful. The Rochester Red Wings were red hot and our one sided affair served us a good dose of humble pie. We had a much better taste in our mouths after this morning’s matchup. We got to enjoy the sweet taste of victory in game one of the Blazers shootout tournament at the Cicero Twin Rinks (not to mention the deliciously scrumptious chicken BBQ put on by the hockey moms and dads).

On the ice, my son tells me the team seemed to really gel. Passing, shooting, scoring and it all seemed to flow. The best part of all? It was fun. I think we sometimes forget how important that is and how that still needs to be part of the youth hockey experience, even when in the more competitve stages of Pee Wee and Bantam. Remember how that's ALL it was about when the kids were mites? Ah, the good 'ole days....