At the behest of my lovely wife, I found some time today during 3d Design to work on a quick Goalie for the end of our entertainment center! These are just too much fun to make!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Goalie Wire Sculpt
At the behest of my lovely wife, I found some time today during 3d Design to work on a quick Goalie for the end of our entertainment center! These are just too much fun to make!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
First Pick Up Hockey
Saturday night, my friend PJ and I hit Rockville's pick up game. He'd driven down from Philly to come hang out and play hockey for the day, only to drive back the very next morning! The last time we'd played together was middle school out on the street in front of his house! With the last of my gear, I was finally able to take the ice fully prepared to play, and ready for any wipe outs or hard play along the boards. PJ's gear, piecemeal as it was, came from his high school days when he last played Ice Hockey, some of which his uncle gave him that was used in the 70's! But a little thing like old gear and a few missing pieces wasn't about to keep him off the ice.
I had just figured out taping my stick a few days prior after a couple of new ones I'd ordered showed up. My gear is all brand new and as I sat in the locker room getting ready, I felt a bit out of place as most of the others there had well worn and used gear from who knows how many games prior to that night. I couldn't help but feel a bit like a dork, though the feeling didn't stick around too long as I noticed another player with a pair of brand new hockey pants that made me feel a bit more at ease about the issue.
Getting ready I began to feel a bit more out of place as this was only the second time I'd ever put gear on, with no real method to the madness. Taking cues from those around me, I got myself together and was all but too eager to get out on the ice. I snagged my newest stick, a CCM wooden Ovechkin curve, and left the locker room.
The ice was nice and fresh from the resurfacer, and I couldn't help but feel all of my gear for the first time as I settled in. It's a different feeling entirely to skate in gear and without. I knew the difference would be manageable though, as none of my movement was very restricted too terribly. Just skating around though, I felt myself becoming more and more comfortable in my new skin. Right up to the point PJ passed me a puck to put on net and I nearly lost my footing that is.
People filed into the rink little by little and a few pucks were tossed around from net to net. Eventually a few goalies found their way onto the ice as well and took up position for some quick practice taking a few shots. All of my attempts were stopped easily as expected, much of that coming from my lack of puck handling ability. I find my biggest issue being that I skate in a bit too far and hard for my current shot capability. A bit of work on that in a few stick and shoots should help considerably though, so a few of those will likely be in my near future.
A few of the regulars made their way to center ice and talked out the organization for the game. The decision being made to split the teams by jersey color. White and Grey on one end, everything else on the other. PJ was in white and I was in red, so we made our way to the respective sides and settled in to face off against each other.
The game ended up being mostly one sided. With many of the more skilled players being in white and grey jerseys, with a scattered few guys on our end with some serious puck skill. I relegated myself to defense and did my best to keep up with the plays. Almost immediately I felt my skating was well outclassed from nearly every player pushing our net. Deciding to stay back further into the neutral zone than the blue line when we had possession, only coming forward when the pressure was held in zone. I kept my head more around positioning than actual puck play, and to the end of the game, I felt I had a bit more of an understanding of where I needed to be and when I needed to fall back. One blocked shot and a few broken up plays under my belt and I felt a bit more confident. On one of my last shifts I was even able to break up a breakaway attempt and clear the puck from one of the younger more skilled guys, who was obviously frustrated by my play on his way to the bench.
The buzzer sounded, the game ended, and I made my dehydrated way off the ice to get changed and head out. A great time under my belt, and a great experience to play a game with a close friend after so many years.
Talking with PJ, who is far more experienced in the game, I asked him how I did, about my positioning, talked about a few plays I thought I did well, and got a bit of encouragement going forward. He mentioned that other than one play I got caught deep at the end, my positioning for defense was near spot on, a plus that I was hoping I'd done well with. Passing is still an issue, but a quick tip from PJ on how to receive a pass should help in my next practice session. All in all with all of my shortcomings on the ice, it was a positive night for progress.
Oh and that left stop? It's still not working...need to work on that...
I had just figured out taping my stick a few days prior after a couple of new ones I'd ordered showed up. My gear is all brand new and as I sat in the locker room getting ready, I felt a bit out of place as most of the others there had well worn and used gear from who knows how many games prior to that night. I couldn't help but feel a bit like a dork, though the feeling didn't stick around too long as I noticed another player with a pair of brand new hockey pants that made me feel a bit more at ease about the issue.
Getting ready I began to feel a bit more out of place as this was only the second time I'd ever put gear on, with no real method to the madness. Taking cues from those around me, I got myself together and was all but too eager to get out on the ice. I snagged my newest stick, a CCM wooden Ovechkin curve, and left the locker room.
The ice was nice and fresh from the resurfacer, and I couldn't help but feel all of my gear for the first time as I settled in. It's a different feeling entirely to skate in gear and without. I knew the difference would be manageable though, as none of my movement was very restricted too terribly. Just skating around though, I felt myself becoming more and more comfortable in my new skin. Right up to the point PJ passed me a puck to put on net and I nearly lost my footing that is.
People filed into the rink little by little and a few pucks were tossed around from net to net. Eventually a few goalies found their way onto the ice as well and took up position for some quick practice taking a few shots. All of my attempts were stopped easily as expected, much of that coming from my lack of puck handling ability. I find my biggest issue being that I skate in a bit too far and hard for my current shot capability. A bit of work on that in a few stick and shoots should help considerably though, so a few of those will likely be in my near future.
A few of the regulars made their way to center ice and talked out the organization for the game. The decision being made to split the teams by jersey color. White and Grey on one end, everything else on the other. PJ was in white and I was in red, so we made our way to the respective sides and settled in to face off against each other.
The game ended up being mostly one sided. With many of the more skilled players being in white and grey jerseys, with a scattered few guys on our end with some serious puck skill. I relegated myself to defense and did my best to keep up with the plays. Almost immediately I felt my skating was well outclassed from nearly every player pushing our net. Deciding to stay back further into the neutral zone than the blue line when we had possession, only coming forward when the pressure was held in zone. I kept my head more around positioning than actual puck play, and to the end of the game, I felt I had a bit more of an understanding of where I needed to be and when I needed to fall back. One blocked shot and a few broken up plays under my belt and I felt a bit more confident. On one of my last shifts I was even able to break up a breakaway attempt and clear the puck from one of the younger more skilled guys, who was obviously frustrated by my play on his way to the bench.
The buzzer sounded, the game ended, and I made my dehydrated way off the ice to get changed and head out. A great time under my belt, and a great experience to play a game with a close friend after so many years.
Talking with PJ, who is far more experienced in the game, I asked him how I did, about my positioning, talked about a few plays I thought I did well, and got a bit of encouragement going forward. He mentioned that other than one play I got caught deep at the end, my positioning for defense was near spot on, a plus that I was hoping I'd done well with. Passing is still an issue, but a quick tip from PJ on how to receive a pass should help in my next practice session. All in all with all of my shortcomings on the ice, it was a positive night for progress.
Oh and that left stop? It's still not working...need to work on that...
Friday, February 19, 2010
Gear!
Well, I've finally acquired the last of my gear! Tomorrow night I'll be putting it to the test in Rockville with a good friend!
Of course I couldn't wait to try it all on! The dogs were not fans though...
See ya on the ice!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wire Sculpt
Found myself sitting in class today with not much to do for a bit and started to 'doodle' with some wire used on our projects from last class. I started off just making a wire armature of a person but wanted to create something a bit more dynamic, so he quickly found himself in a hockey stance and gained a stick to top it off. Oh and the curve? Ovi-esque. ;)
He now stands atop of one of our entertainment center cabinets. Maybe a goalie would be nice for the other side?
Monday, February 15, 2010
Canal Conditions This Morning
While frozen over, the canal this morning seemed less than ideal. The first sign of 'trouble' being the first step onto the ice was the scene above with slush and broken ice being your welcome. The way down wasn't terrible. The skier's have been out it would seem and lots of folks taking the path down to Lock 7 stamping the way down. The issue being the path is near solid and I hope you've got some serious grip on the sole of your shoes/boots! I nearly busted my back end a few times just getting down the first time. I took the snow over the path from then on out.
It's frozen over pretty well, with all of the areas that were frozen the last shinny weekend frozen over this time as well. There seems to be a bit more debris this time though, and a lot more unevenness to the ice surface. Not a lot that a few scrapes with a shovel wouldn't get rid of, and a dozen or so bodies with skates strapped on carving would do wonders to level it off a bit.
In the close up above you can see the frost that was settled over near all of the ice surface. It's nothing major and I'm sure would clean up nice, but the ice under felt choppy and crunchy in most spots as I walked out a bit. It felt solid enough though and would likely support a good amount of weight to the middle.
Take this all with a grain of salt though, as the temps warmed up to the 40's by the end of the day, though they seemed to have settled down a bit now for this latest bit of snow.
I headed back up to the Jeep and went to Kettler for a bit of gear sizing and to pick up a few things since I was in the area. On the way home I couldn't help but wonder if anyone else had been down to the ice or was looking around for others as I did. The community really needs someone in the Cabin John area to hook us up with some solid intel on the canal every winter from here on out!
Monday, February 8, 2010
First Stick Time
Is there really anything else you would rather do after a night of drinking than wake up early and hit the ice? Sleeping in was really not an option this morning as I finally had enough gear to get out to Rockville Ice Arena for their Pick Up at 1230. With my new gloves, a shoddy rollerblading helmet and my slightly too short stick I made my way in.
It started off slow enough, just a few people trickling in at a time as the ice opened. I just skated about for a bit, getting my legs back as it's been a while since I'd strapped on the skates. As the nets were put in place, the pucks came out, and I started to chip some pucks down range.
I quickly began to realize just how far from competent I really am! In fact, it would probably be easier to list the things I am capable of, rather than to list those I'm not. But where's the fun in that?
I can't stop to my left yet. I can't get a solid slap shot off. I can hardly get a good wrist shot off! And backhanding? Yeah, that usually ends with the puck careening away from me in an undesired direction... Passing isn't a strong point, neither is my pass receiving (see: lack of). I think you get the idea here. I'm not competent at pretty much anything. But man, is hockey a blast even when you're terrible!
The groups split up eventually between the lil dudes and the big guys, with a few of the dads corralling the kiddos on the far end, the other end broke off into teams based on jersey colors. We had 1-2 sub-ins per side and got to it. I played the pucks as well as I could, trying to stay focused on placement, but with a lack of passing ability and receiving ability, it's hard to make the play when it's needed. I did get a few quick goals in close though playing close to the left side of the net looking for rebounds when the play was away from me. I also took a few pucks to the body because I played the center a lot for defense as well. With one wrister getting me good just low of the ribs, leaving a nice puck shaped welt as evidence of my blocked shot.
My back is killing me, my calves hurt, and there are spots on my body that have never hurt as much as they do today. I've never been happier to be in as much pain. Maybe a few more pads and a lot more practice and I won't feel as rough, but that's a minor concern. The biggest issue on my plate at the moment: When can I go again?! See you on the ice.
It started off slow enough, just a few people trickling in at a time as the ice opened. I just skated about for a bit, getting my legs back as it's been a while since I'd strapped on the skates. As the nets were put in place, the pucks came out, and I started to chip some pucks down range.
I quickly began to realize just how far from competent I really am! In fact, it would probably be easier to list the things I am capable of, rather than to list those I'm not. But where's the fun in that?
I can't stop to my left yet. I can't get a solid slap shot off. I can hardly get a good wrist shot off! And backhanding? Yeah, that usually ends with the puck careening away from me in an undesired direction... Passing isn't a strong point, neither is my pass receiving (see: lack of). I think you get the idea here. I'm not competent at pretty much anything. But man, is hockey a blast even when you're terrible!
The groups split up eventually between the lil dudes and the big guys, with a few of the dads corralling the kiddos on the far end, the other end broke off into teams based on jersey colors. We had 1-2 sub-ins per side and got to it. I played the pucks as well as I could, trying to stay focused on placement, but with a lack of passing ability and receiving ability, it's hard to make the play when it's needed. I did get a few quick goals in close though playing close to the left side of the net looking for rebounds when the play was away from me. I also took a few pucks to the body because I played the center a lot for defense as well. With one wrister getting me good just low of the ribs, leaving a nice puck shaped welt as evidence of my blocked shot.
My back is killing me, my calves hurt, and there are spots on my body that have never hurt as much as they do today. I've never been happier to be in as much pain. Maybe a few more pads and a lot more practice and I won't feel as rough, but that's a minor concern. The biggest issue on my plate at the moment: When can I go again?! See you on the ice.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Gear Update: Gloves
Finally picked up a set of gloves! These are last years Vector 08's, regularly $89 or so, was able to snag them for $50 ($66 shipped). Fit great, if a bit rigid. I'm looking forward to getting out to Rockville to try them out a bit.
Next up: Helmet w/cage.
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