Over the years and through countless hours of of hockey experience, both on the playing side and coaching side of the boards, valuable hockey knowledge rises to the top like a targeted slap shot. Through my years of coaching I’ve gained a lot of  knowledge on the game of hockey. This was brought to my attention by my assistant coach Brian George during the start of the fall 2008-09 NCYH season. Coach Brian suggested we compile a list of the knowledge we’ve heard being shouted out to players by coaches during critical game moments.

1. Skate Harder
2. Just throw the puck on net
3. You have to want it
4. We’re better than these guys
5. Stand ‘em up
6. Shoot then crash the net
7. Get it out -  Best said three times in rapid succession
8. Everybody get in front of the net
9. Suck it up

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Finishing the season in second place the typical fan would have expected their Bantam Black team to be in a tough match up against Cheyenne for the 1st place trophy. Shockingly Cheyenne lost to Bantam Red in overtime and your Bantam Black lost to Yellow in the final few minutes of their first round playoff game.

The Black team playing with a short bench came out fast and strong. They got on the scoreboard first and held the advantage for most of the game. Unfortunately for them the Yellow team, a team Black had beaten consistently throughout the season, got the game to a 2-2 time then put in a game winning goal with only 1:31 left to play. Coach Brian pulled the goalie in the final 36 seconds and the boys did generate some excitement and confusion in front of the Yellow goal but just could not get the puck in the net.

Jason Chipp showed up wearing his new Rocky High JV hockey jacket, very handsome. He played with high school passion, raising his game to a new level. Coaches moved him to defense to replace the ailing Zac Alexander where he became a serious problem for any Yellow player trying to bring the puck into his zone. Jason acted as if he owned the ice in front of his goaltender.

Who would have guessed the Black team would be playing Cheyenne in a game to determine who gets third and who gets fourth place. It must be one of the life lessons sports teaches the youthful players; life isn’t fair.

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NCYH Bantam Black Rec team Triumphs over NCYH Bantam B Competitive Team in the Arvada Hockey Association’s Winter Festival Tournament. Final Score: 4-3.

It all started with an informal group of parents discussing the merits of Rec vs. Competitive hockey. Seems most of this group had the same disenfranchised feeling and were eager to make a point. However that point would not, could not be made if the players were not up to the task. The parents would have their answer within the hour.

Zac Attack! That is what they call it in the locker room. The coaches look for it, exptect it and have come to rely on it. Zac didn’t let them down. He exploded early in the first period, going end to end and busting a move on Caleb DeBuse, his one time teammate, scoring goal one for the Rec team. One would think playing a tournament game every day for four days in a row would slow a body down but that is not the case with this team. They were off to a fast start. Ryan Nafziger is the team’s leading scorer and he did not disappoint. After a few posts and near goals he finally succeeded on his venerable backhand, putting the puck in the top right corner.

Max and Quinn haven’t been known for their flashy offense. Playing on the same line they hooked up for a goal where Quinn put away a rebound from a Max wrister. This goal was a testament to good positioning in front of the net.

Parents and coaches rejoiced as the final buzzer sounded. They found each other in the post game crowd, making eye contact to share their knowing self-satisfied smiles.

With this win your NCYH Jr. Eagles Bantam Black Recreational team earned themselves a fifth place finish out of eight places in the Arvada B division. Zac Alexander pointed out that the Arvada B-1 team and eventual tournament winner had only four goals scored against them. One of those four goals was scored by his team.

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Final Score: 3-1

It was all smiles on the Black bench as they got off to a solid start on a goal from yet another coast to coast Zac attack. Coaches are beginning to expect it and nobody is disappointed when it occurs. This is a far cry from Zac’s Rage93 PeeWee team where the ignominious coach benched Zac for skating it across the center red line. In Zac’s defense, when the the wingers get lost the D gotta step up. I digress. . .

Jarrett Nafziger produced some stand out play. Fans marveled; “He looks more like a winger than a defense man” It was true, he was really hustling to loose puck and turning up ice with purpose. Jason Chipp found some energy (he’s been sick) and had himself a great game. It was these two players who added spark and power that lifted the team out of the doldrum they found themselves in after their 1-8 drubbing from the Nebraska team. Of course Ryan Nafziger was still Ryan, contentious as usual, without spending time in the sin-bin tonight and offering up two goals, including an empty netter at the end of the game.

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Bantam Black faced off against a Nebraska B team and it wasn’t long before players and coaches were wondering if just maybe Nebraska was an A team. The NCYH Bantam Black team had their hats handed to them by a much better hockey team. They were out skated and out hustled; spending the majority of their ice time pinned in their own zone.

The Black teams only goal came in the first period when Zac Alexander pulled one of his often requested coast to coast runs. Zac was able to find the back of the net and bring his team within one goal near the end of the period. It didn’t last long. Nebraska came right back to score.

Next up is Arizona. Lets hope they know more about fishing in that state.

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