2025-10-12, 09:59 PM - Word count:
Even jet-lagged from my long flight to Quebec City, getting to see my older sister's SMJHL team win the Four Star Cup by beating the stuffing out of their opponent 14-2 in the deciding game was incredibly energizing. Being there with my family to see it happen was even better after being so far away this year. Once the media had left and the ceremonies had died down, we managed to get out onto the ice. Caitlin's face lit up with surprised happiness when she saw me on the ice, and for a little while we got to just celebrate together.
The next day, I was on a long flight to New Zealand for our upcoming match against North Shore United. I knew the trainer wasn't going to be happy with my long travel and how it would affect my readiness for the match, but I just couldn't pass up getting to see Caitlin win the Four Star Cup and, as they say, it's always better to ask for forgiveness than permission. It took longer for me to get used to the jet lag having taken the long way around the world, but I managed to get into a satisfactory game shape by the match day.
The first half of the match against North Shore United didn't get off to a great start as the home team took an early 2-0 lead. Takeda Takahashi managed to get a goal on the board for us to cut the deficit to 2-1, and soon before the half we were pressing again, looking for the tying goal. I tried to break for the left wing to set up a practiced play from Alex Stain to go to the net, but I got tangled up with the defender marking me and I went down, landing awkwardly on my ankle. Pain shot through my leg and I tried to get up, managing to do so but trying to limp to the bench.
I managed to get over to the sideline before sitting down, a trainer rushing over to take a look. "You got lucky, it just looks like you twisted it," the trainer told me. "You should be fine for the next match, but there's no way you're going back into this one." Sitting on the bench, I hoped that the team could somehow manage to pull out a victory without me on the pitch to contribute. My hope would end up coming true, as Rova stormed back from being down 3-1 in the second half of the match to win the game 4-3. Even though I couldn't run out onto the pitch to celebrate, getting to see the comeback made everything worth it. My ankle would heal in time for the next match, but now it was time to rest for the critical last three matches of the season.
The next day, I was on a long flight to New Zealand for our upcoming match against North Shore United. I knew the trainer wasn't going to be happy with my long travel and how it would affect my readiness for the match, but I just couldn't pass up getting to see Caitlin win the Four Star Cup and, as they say, it's always better to ask for forgiveness than permission. It took longer for me to get used to the jet lag having taken the long way around the world, but I managed to get into a satisfactory game shape by the match day.
The first half of the match against North Shore United didn't get off to a great start as the home team took an early 2-0 lead. Takeda Takahashi managed to get a goal on the board for us to cut the deficit to 2-1, and soon before the half we were pressing again, looking for the tying goal. I tried to break for the left wing to set up a practiced play from Alex Stain to go to the net, but I got tangled up with the defender marking me and I went down, landing awkwardly on my ankle. Pain shot through my leg and I tried to get up, managing to do so but trying to limp to the bench.
I managed to get over to the sideline before sitting down, a trainer rushing over to take a look. "You got lucky, it just looks like you twisted it," the trainer told me. "You should be fine for the next match, but there's no way you're going back into this one." Sitting on the bench, I hoped that the team could somehow manage to pull out a victory without me on the pitch to contribute. My hope would end up coming true, as Rova stormed back from being down 3-1 in the second half of the match to win the game 4-3. Even though I couldn't run out onto the pitch to celebrate, getting to see the comeback made everything worth it. My ankle would heal in time for the next match, but now it was time to rest for the critical last three matches of the season.
<center><img src='https://i.imgur.com/X6cSRMC.jpeg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /></center><br><center>Sig by Pandar</center>
