Hockey districts and distractions

With my test being cancelled on Friday, I got to go to Fergus Falls for Nolan's opening district hockey game.  I could not have had a better weekend of distraction.  We dropped Nolan off at his game an hour beforehand and went to the one place I always turn to when the going gets tough... Dairy Queen.  Yum.

We played a Brainerd team Friday night we had previously lost to in overtime.  We were hoping for a better outcome this time, but lost to them 3-2 in regular play.  

So it was an early start to our morning on Saturday with a 6:30 am drive to Fergus Falls.  But we were treated to the sun rising up into a foggy landscape.  

Just around the corner from the arena is a wildlife refuge.  I would venture to say its a habitat for thousands of geese.  The sun was rising up through the mist and Rick and I both were compelled to stop and take photos.

It was breathtaking and these are my own photos. It was serene, tranquil and mystifying all at once.  I'm finding it impossible to feel burdened at times like this when nature is stunning and gratitude washes over me.

And then it was time for our game against Little Falls.  We beat them recently and were looking for a repeat.  But they gave us a challenge and it made for a nail biter of a game!  We tried to include photos of each player on the Peewee A-2 team, from all three of the games we played.

Lucas with the puck.

Jack winning a face off for the puck.

Skylar battling along the boards for the puck.

Max with the puck.

Parker ripping a shot with some great flex on his stick.

Parker D. skating with the puck.

Karson looking to make a pass or play.

Jake skating with the puck.

Landon with some huge flex on his stick.

Grant battling for the puck.

Carter making another awesome glove save.

Coach Zach and Coach Blake.

Mitch going in for the puck.

Sam shooting one at the goal.

Ryan S. facing off for the puck.

Christian setting up for a shot.

Ryan K looking for the play.

Nolan catching only a small part of the puck and not enough to score on this one...

But Nolan got a full piece of this one with some awesome assists from his team mates!

Mitch, Nolan, and Sam celebrating after the goal. 

Time out... we're headed into OT with Little Falls...

And we win!!! 5-4 in OT with Little Falls!  We've lost so many times in OT, this win was a victory in more ways than one!  

We then took on a team from Alexandria that we've lost to every time we've played them.  We came close to beating them in our first outing, losing in OT 2-1, but have never made it past them.

Saturday, we couldn't get past them either.  In a close game again, we lost in regulation play 2-1.  Our season ended Saturday on a bittersweet day.  

These boys showed a tremendous amount of perseverance throughout their season.  They started the year as a B squad playing an A schedule and regularly got resoundingly beat.  But by the end of the season, to me they look just like an A squad, competing with the other A teams.  They still may not have won, but they challenged those teams and competed with them.  They could not be overlooked- they were an honest viable threat.  

Congrats to the Peewee A-1 squad who went on to win the district championship game and will move on to the regional tournament.  Congratulations to our Peewee B-1 team who will also move on to play in their regional tournament!  

Almost all of our Peewee A-2 hockey moms, with the cute mini-players on a stick made by Pam,  we used to cheer on our boys!

Our hockey family continues to surround us with prayers, love and encouragement.  Yesterday Colton's team surprised us with a fundraising project they have undertaken.  They are making gloves with "spirit fingers" in our team colors and selling them as a way to raise funds for our family.  I'm really touched and honored.  I have finally succumbed to a cold our family has been passing around.  I took cold meds yesterday that kept me "loopy" but able to breathe a little easier.  So I was rather subdued, but I hope they know how truly blessed we feel by their efforts.

Thank you Squirt White team!  (sorry for the less than ideal photos) 

I'm getting ready for tomorrow.  It sort of feels like the first day of school.  A familiar setting with familiar faces, but a whole new set of lecture notes to decipher.  You know I'm bringing my "Cancer Fighting A game" regardless of the circumstances! 

Thank you for all of your uplifting and encouraging notes. I find solace and comfort in each and every one of them and wish I could reply to each one of you that so steadfastly puts my name on your lips and offers it up to God. Blessings and love to all.