Tuesdays With Corey (Episode 2)

This weekly feature ‘Tuesdays with Corey’ is inspired by a book called ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’, written by the famous author Mitch Albom.  In this motivational true story, Mitch reflects with his old university professor, Morey, about life lessons and how to live your life to the fullest.

This is Coach Crocker’s favourite book. Every Tuesday, Corey will give Rambler fans his personal thoughts of the past games and other related topics.  He will also post his favourite weekly motivational quote and a tip for all young hockey players to use in practice.  Enjoy!!!

Episode 2 – Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Hello Fans,

I hope you enjoy this feature ‘Tuesdays with Corey’.  I am really excited to do this weekly feature and thanks for supporting our team.

It’s World Jr. A Challenge Week in the Maritimes and I hope fans take the opportunity to travel across the Confederation Bridge to  Summerside, PEI  to attend some of the games.  Present and future NHL draft picks from all over the world will showcase their talents at the Credit Union Place from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8, 2009.

The World Jr. A Challenge started in Truro, Nova Scotia on Wednesday as MJAHL All Stars gathered at the Colchester Arena to prepare for their two game exhibition series against Canada Team East and Belarus.  The three day event could not have gone any better.  We managed to win our two games against a powerful Canada Team East in Game 1 and a very skilled Belarus team in Game 2.  Timely goals and superb goaltending were key in our victories.  All 22 players in both games put their own teams on the back-burner and played their hearts out to represent the MJAHL.     

I was humbled and honoured to be a part of the MJAHL All Stars coaching staff.  It was a great experience to work with Shawn Evans, Billy McGuigan, Dave Ritcey and all training staffs during this event.  I would like to congratulate all the players that were selected and especially Derek Smith, Eric Boudreau, and Justin Matthews from the Ramblers.  Everyone represented their clubs with class and professionalism.  Your efforts put the MJAHL on the map once again.  Great job guys!!!  A big thank you to Dave Ritcey for all his efforts.

It was back to work for the Ramblers, as we met the Timberwolves for the second time in a week on a spooky Saturday night in the Jungle.  Players showed up two hours before the game dressed in their Halloween costume looking for the top costume prize.  Some costumes included a baby, a cow, a nerd, and a bedroom dresser.  After the top prize was given out the boys set their focus on beating the Timberwolves.  Captain Adam Chipman got the award for the best costume.  Adam was dressed up like a baby, pamper and soother included.....hahaha!!!

It was evident early on what Miramichi’s game plan was.  They tried to wear our team down by hitting us and fighting with us early in the game, but our guys did not back down.  Jonathan Waye was stellar between the pipes, making eye popping saves to keep his team in the game on a night that the Ramblers were not at their best.  Simon Bissonnnette opened the scoring for the Ramblers when he drove to the net with his stick on the ice deflected a pass from Drew McLaughlin beating Timberwolves goaltender between the legs.  Adam Chipman made it 2-2 when he skated wide like a power forward, drove to the inside and shovelled his 4^th goal of the season past Gallant.  Josh Coleman was the hero on Halloween night when he created traffic in front of the Timberwolves net and got rewarded when a puck came loose and with a quick reaction Coleman buried the puck into the top half of the net.  Adam Chipman proved once again why he is the Captain of our hockey team.  Adam was not happy with how his team was performing and decided to take the game into his own hands and be the horse and carry the team on his back to secure the win. 

Final thoughts on Miramichi – We turned the puck over way too many times to win a hockey game but tonight we got lucky.  Jon Waye was outstanding and is starting to prove that he is an elite goaltender in this league.  We took two or three minor penalties that could have been prevented.  We looked very rusty at times but when it counted we pulled together and got the win.  On a positive note, although we were not very good at times, the guys showed character and a relentless work ethic to pull out the win.  Bottom line – 2 points.      

‘QUOTE OF THE WEEK’

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision.  The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives.  It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

‘FUTURE RAMBLERS PRACTICE TIP’

Tip – Ins

Many goals are scored by a player changing the direction of a shot using the blade of the stick.  It is important to get in a good scoring position for a tip-in, in order to prevent the opposition defenseman from tying the player up.  The forward should attempt to block the goaltender’s vision by moving in front of the goal crease.

·          The player should keep their feet in an open stance to avoid being knocked down by opponents.  They should angle the blade of their stick down to deflect the puck downward and angle the blade of the stick upward to deflect the puck upward.

·         The player must keep a tight grip on the stick for all deflections and maintain a low balance stance.

·         Watch players in the NHL like Ryan Smyth and Thomas Holstrom.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s episode.  Once again, thanks for your continued support and be sure to check out our game on Friday night as we battle our rival Bearcats at the Amherst Stadium at 7:30pm.

Welcome back Brian “Sugar Bear” Martin.    

See you all at the Jungle!!!

CC