Tuesday's With Corey (Episode 3)

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!!!

Episode3– Tuesday, Nov. 10, 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.

A week to remember, a week to forget, you be the judge.  From a coaches perspective you want to remember weeks like last week because it builds character and makes you mentally stronger as a player and as a coach.  We never got the outcomes that we wanted but there were plenty of lessons taken by all.

Friday night’s game against Truro was everything it was built up to be.  Well executed game plans by both teams, good special teams, and playoff style energy.  I felt our club came out on Friday night with something to prove and they did that by beating the Bearcats 4-3 in a barn burner.  The difference between the two teams on this night was special teams and I am sure Shawn Evans and his Bearcats will address that the next time we meet.  Waye was solid again between the pipes earning the win.  With his Mom in the stands it was nice to see Jeremy Barron hit the twine twice to earn the games first star.  After the game we enjoyed the two points as a group but emphasized that we still have two games left on the weekend.

Twenty four hours later the Ramblers came back to the Jungle excited and confident hoping to earn two points against the Lions.  The game came and went and it was one of those nights that we want to forget.  As a coach I cannot tell you what the problem was on Saturday night.  To be so good the night before and to be so bad the next night is beyond me.  I did search for answers but did not have much luck.  All my answers were the same, forget about it and move on.  Our preparation was the same but on this night the boys were not up for the challenge.  Everyone involved has to be held accountable and we accept it.  The question is asked, “Well what do you do after a game like that”?  Talk about it as a group, be positive when you leave the dressing room and forget about it 20 minutes after you leave the rink.  Enough said!!!  I am not taking anything away from the Lions.  They are not a last place team.

Although we didn’t win on Sunday we played well enough to win but ran out of gas late in the game.  As a coaching staff we could not ask anymore from the players.  With a short bench we battled to the bitter end to try and beat a very good Bridgewater team.  The game in Bridgewater was exciting with multiple scoring chances, great saves, and toe to toe fights.  The bus ride back from Bridgewater was quiet as expected.  The good thing is everyone in our dressing room believes in our ability no matter who say’s negative things about us.  The negative comments will not get the best of us.  These young men are not professionals and some nights they are not going to be at their best.  All in all we did win one game on the weekend and we will focus on being better next week.  On a more positive note, the Maple Leafs beat the Red Wings!!!  Try to figure that one out?

Bottom line – We were good Friday, bad Saturday and good on Sunday but lost.

I would like to congratulate Matt Chitty on a very successful Development Weekend for the Cumberland Minor Hockey Association.  Thank you for letting the Ramblers organization be a part of it.  The players, Jeff and I really enjoyed the events on Saturday.

A special thank you to all the players who take time out of their schedules to assist with the Breakfast Program at Spring Street Academy every Wednesday morning. 

‘QUOTE OF THE WEEK’

“Champions are willing to do things they dislike to create something they do like.  Don’t let the things that matter most be at the mercy of the things that matter least.”

‘FUTURE RAMBLERS PRACTICE TIP’

SHOOTING OFF EITHER FOOT

Players should be able to shoot the puck off either foot in order to get a shot off quickly.  The shot is used to execute a quick shot.  All good goal scorers are able to shoot the puck off either foot as in many cases there is no time to relocate the footing when receiving the puck in a shooting position.

·         The weight is on the foot nearest to the puck.

·         The speed of the shot comes from the arm, wrist, and shoulder action, with little or no body rotation.

·         The follow-through is short, as the player is not in a stable position and is vulnerable to a body check.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s episode.  Once again, thanks for your continued support and be sure to check out our game on Saturday night as we battle the Dieppe Commandos at 7:00pm at the Jungle.

See you all at the Jungle!!!

CC