Post by Gerard on Jan 9, 2004 15:25:54 GMT -5
That was the first sentence out of my kid's mouth after I called him last night about 10 pm. He knew I saw the real reason he jumped into a 3rd man in fight to make it 2 vs 2. They had been in the first game of a tourney, losing 6-3 with minutes to go, yet managed to get 2 of them back only to fall short on the tying goal. Happens all the time. My son was tired as he'd been on the ice for the last few shifts as well as his d partner and best friend. Matt left the other team's zone and headed towards center ice when 'it' happened. My son's friend, Tim, had dropped the gloves with a guy on the other team. No big deal and it seemed like it wouldn't take long for them to get separated except that a guy on the other team was heading in as 3rd man. That's where Matt came in. He never had to be asked what to do next though (to be completely honest) i've never seen him in a real fight EVER whether it was on/off the ice. I still haven't figured out how he got the kid's helment off b/c they're usually strapped down pretty hard though i'm sure the fact they'd lost a close game and just saw the possiblility of his best friend getting tag-teamed had a bit to do with it.
Of course all the parents were less-than-thrilled (as were my present and ex-wife) but their politeness was well masked. Often people are quick to judge without looking at the total picture. They are just appalled (sp) at the kid's actions w/out seeing past anything else and it's a no-win situation for my kid. If he had done nothing, as had the others on the ice, and Tim had got severely injured as a result of a sucker punch he could not defend, then those same fans (and coaches) would be screaming as to why no one defended their own player when he was completely helpless. You never know what the 3rd man in is gonna do. He may be there to try and break it up or he may be there to do some cheap damage. In all the years i've watched hockey i've seen both sides. For me, you don't wait until after the fact to find out. Especially when the guy on your team is also your best friend.
Matt was suspended for the game today and i'm waiting to hear if the coach will put him in tonight's game at 7 pm vs another good/tough team. And i'm sure there will be many of our own parents there who will be talking about him as I make my way to the canteen or the bathroom as if he's committed an unspeakable crime. So-be-it.
I'll tell you one thing: they wouldn't be so quick to judge Matt if it was their kid's head he may have saved from squashed like a melon from an elbow he never even saw coming.
ps...Sorry to moan. It has taken more out of me than I expected.
Of course all the parents were less-than-thrilled (as were my present and ex-wife) but their politeness was well masked. Often people are quick to judge without looking at the total picture. They are just appalled (sp) at the kid's actions w/out seeing past anything else and it's a no-win situation for my kid. If he had done nothing, as had the others on the ice, and Tim had got severely injured as a result of a sucker punch he could not defend, then those same fans (and coaches) would be screaming as to why no one defended their own player when he was completely helpless. You never know what the 3rd man in is gonna do. He may be there to try and break it up or he may be there to do some cheap damage. In all the years i've watched hockey i've seen both sides. For me, you don't wait until after the fact to find out. Especially when the guy on your team is also your best friend.
Matt was suspended for the game today and i'm waiting to hear if the coach will put him in tonight's game at 7 pm vs another good/tough team. And i'm sure there will be many of our own parents there who will be talking about him as I make my way to the canteen or the bathroom as if he's committed an unspeakable crime. So-be-it.
I'll tell you one thing: they wouldn't be so quick to judge Matt if it was their kid's head he may have saved from squashed like a melon from an elbow he never even saw coming.
ps...Sorry to moan. It has taken more out of me than I expected.
