CREEK, SUMMER 2009

I'm not really one to update my personal life on my blog, but I feel that my team's performance in our first game of the season showed great character and perseverance. Tied 2-2 in the third period, a giveaway on a power play had us down 3-2 with 2:30 to play. With just under a minute left, the play was in their zone, I was in front screening the goalie and Dan (#12) got the puck in the slot, and put a shot between my legs and in to tie the game up at three.

At the faceoff dot, Rob said something along the lines of, "Let's get another one." I won the draw, but they ended up getting possession and the puck ended up in our zone along the left wing boards. I retrieved the puck and put on the jets flying down the wing (or at least my version of "the jets"). I came across the blueline and in on the defenseman looking like I was going to cut inside. I quickly made a move to the outside and cut around him and to the front of the net where the goalie bit on a move and went down. I ran into the other defender, but Rob (#21) was there to bury the puck into the empty net for the 4-3 lead and the "W" with just 14 seconds on the clock.

It was probably the best shift I've had in years and it felt really good to get out there and start the season with a positive outing. It was reminiscent of Carolina's comeback in Game 7 against the Devils and was an exciting finish to a great game.