I've been getting a bit downcast lately, my skating's okay, but my hockey is pants. Well the others at the Monday morning sessions have been giving me lots of advice, telling me where I am going wrong: Don't pass across the goal, hold the stick with two hands, bend my knees more, don't stand in front of the goal, don't rush to the puck, and so on ... And it helps a lot.
A lot of hockey is not about the skating, it's about playing in a team, placing oneself in the right place to support the other players, or to receive a pass. I know one lad who is potentially a brilliant hockey player, but he never passes which makes him useless. Time and time again he gives the puck away near to his goal because he thinks he's Sydney Crosby when he could have passed it. I know someone else who is nowhere near as good a skater, but he plays better hockey, because he understands the game better. I heard the others discussing another lad. They said he'd never be picked for the team because he has the wrong attitude even though he has talent!
I've recently had two bad sharpenings from my usual sharpener. They were out by 4/1000". I went to someone else and he did a much deeper hollow than asked, maybe 3/8", which totally messed up my skating. Sigh. But he redid them without charge last Saturday, and today they were excellent. Having good blades, and good ice, made a big difference. The session today was good. I'm no Wayne Gretzky (that reference dates me) but I think I can give myself a little pat on the back. 18 months ago my skating was basic. Six months ago I'd never played hockey. And today I was able to take part in a scrimmage, and prevent some of the better players on the opposite side from coasting. I didn't play well, but I think I contributed rather than being a liability, and I am slowly improving.
One thing I have noticed is the conflict between beginners and experienced players. The beginners need space to develop and guidance. The better players find the beginners annoying. Ah well, I guess that's how it is, you grab the ice time you can, and do your best.
Slowly slowly catchy monkey, as they say.