Warriors on Ice

I watched a hockey game last night: my team, the Montreal Canadiens vs. the New Jersey Devils. There is nothing remarkable about that; it is something that I do frequently. It's the Canadiens that I follow and have done for most of my sentient life.

The first game I remember watching was in our landlady's apartment, downstairs in our duplex. It was 1955, and I was 7. Although I had to look it up to confirm the year, I could pinpoint it  because Les Boys (sometimes called that in French but with a mixture of English) lost to the Detroit Red Wings. I was able to do this with such assurance because the next year they went on to win 5 Stanley Cups (championships) in a row.

Hockey players are special breed: true warriors, playing through all sorts of cuts, bruises and injuries. They would be ashamed to fake an injury which is a common practice in soccer. They will take a stick to the face, be bleeding or even picking up their teeth off the ice, yet not miss a single shift. They carry on when players in almost every other sport would tap out. It is just hockey culture.

Last night the team was struck with the flu, a few so badly that they were forced to miss the game. The others soldiered on although they did not have their usual jump.

Finally, they got going and erased a 2-0 deficit to take the lead.

This player got an assist on the third goal.

MartinChevalier/JdeM via TVA Sports

His name is Ryan Poehling; he is a first year rookie from St Cloud University. I am featuring him because it is reported that he was forced to leave the bench several times to vomit. Yet he returned and played on with great heart.

They are a special breed, these hockey players. Warriors on Ice.