Friday came as most Fridays do, excited that it was the end of the work week. Out of the office and into a new adventure. As a member of RISE, I participate in many of our programs. Sledge (Sled in the US) Hockey is just one of them. It's geared for community play where anyone can get on the ice and try it out. For some it's a new experience allowing them to move with great speed. For others it may be a return to the ice. Instead of skating on your feet you’re strapped into a sled with blades beneath you. James Dunham is the RISE Sled Hockey Program Director. He also leads the Dallas Sled Hawks and works with other teams around the state for league play. He has also played in the Paralympics helping to bring a Gold home for the US team!The Dallas Sled Hawks and James Dunham held a tournament February 3-5th at the Grapevine Mills Mall. Our first game that evening was against San Antonio. The talk was how they had a particular player with above average skills with puck control and to ensure the heat was on to keep him out. A team is that, a team, it should never be about a single player. The game was intense as we kept the pressure on the San Antonio player which almost shut them out. Dallas scored a goal in the first period providing a feeling of relief. Perhaps it was the relaxed mood then or the San Antonio player’s skill but then it was their turn to score in the second period. The Dallas goalie, Paul, played extremely well continuing to catch the puck preventing any further goals. Dallas came back and led 2 to 1. As the clock ticked away in the final period Dallas held out and won the match.
Game 2 that Friday evening was against St Louis. I actually got to play that game. I am new to this particular sport and totally understand that the outcome of the game is dependent on the team. Our first game was against some really hardcore players. Though I did not play I was there if needed. I observed the grace and skill presented by both teams on the ice and it was a learning experience just to be there. Now as we played our second game I noticed something entirely different. The St Louis team made a lot more contact.
I was called in to play. As I played defense their guys came in hard and fast. The puck moved effortlessly from side to side on the ice as if it were a giant pinball machine, we took it back. During that time they attempted to push me over, push out the front of my sled and to man handle me. I was having none of that so I decided I should play by their new style. I pushed back knocking a player over. I was t-boned causing me to flail over the front of their sled. The guy began screaming out to the Referee that I was holding. I laughed at their behavior at this point. It reminded me of watching pro wrestling on TV when some guy would do something behind the Ref's back then complain to his face how he was being mistreated. As a couple of their players cursed like sailors it seemed to change the spirit of the game. As if they were admitting defeat in just the first few minutes.
Our team took them to the boards. Taking the puck from them time and again and began scoring to win the game. I was called to play several more times that night. Like standing up to a bully I noticed that they stopped trying to push me around. Guess that meant I was no longer the new kid.
Saturday morning came about soon enough. That day we played against Minnesota and Chicago. Both teams played well but were unable to defeat us. That put the Sled Hawks at 4 -0 and clinched a spot in the play offs. I would like to say I was there to play the final game, but I was called elsewhere. I had to play Gampy for my grandkids birthday party that Sunday. I was feeling like a granddad the next few days for sure with some sore muscles. It was a good time to be on the ice to mix it up against opposing players as well as that feeling of being a part of something.
One Response to “Dallas Sled Hawks Sled Hockey Tournament Recap” Leave a reply ›
As the coach, of St. Louis team, that day, here is another point of view.
The physical play was in every game, that weekend, but that is part of the sport. All of the athletes want intense hockey and competition. The games were, all, intense and featured Taylor Lipsett, an Olympian. This intense competition only helped USA sled hockey to build in the midwest. The rivalry between Dallas and St. Louis goes back to years when The juniors competed, regularly.{friends on opposing teams via national team}
An honest fact was that the referees were not trained for the sport and the games were not officiated, well. St. Louis players were mad about that and were cussing. I got "booted" to save my players from getting "booted" in one game. The referee got the point, as he started calling the game, better. There were, also, many injuries, that weekend, because of this, to all teams. The intensity is great as long as nobody is getting hurt. The games were not controlled by officiating.
The next game, the same referee and coach, myself, shook hands and had an understanding of why it happened. The referee understood and I found out that he had not been trained for the sport. It ,also, requires 2 officials, minimum.(except those who have done it for many years)
Speaking objectively, as a promotor for the sport, not 1 team...The sport is a different age, depending on what city/state you live in. St. Louis has been fortunate to have coaches that try to provide the best for the athletes, including officiating. There are many games where St. Louis has had no penalties, and they do know a clean game of hockey. This was a key element in the tournament, for St. Louis, who had an opposing player spitting at them, literally.
The part about assuming that St. Louis had accepted defeat was not why St. Louis was upset. St. Louis was upset because the clock was being run by a player, from Dallas, on the ice. When Dallas was winning the clock ran, indicated by a twirling motion. When Dallas was behind, or wanted to rest a player, the clock stopped, indicated by a slashing motion. This is the truth about what was happening at the St. Louis bench. That was why they were upset. Alot of players , already, feel like they have been given a bad deal and the obvious betrayal was too much, for some. They did not feel like there was a level playing field.
This is not a comment to oppose anything you have said, but to provide another side of this story from the opposing teams coach, who, actually likes all of USA sled hockey players and Taylor, alot. This event, also, was the final tournament that Taylor could play in, so I made sure that our team gave him some tough competition. It's hockey
In a related story, St. Louis held the first games of the new MWSHL. As a direct result of this tournament, in Dallas, we made sure that we had the best officials to call the games, fairly. Hopefully, this has opened you to a different perspective... It is not to say someone is wrong, but to point out that the games are growing and officiating is catching up, quickly.
I have been a coach, but, also, the referee, at practices. It is important to understand sled hockey before officiating, or coaching.
It is a whole world that most people do not know.