Game 3
Delay Delay Delay! This travel day I actually got the whole day to spend at home with the family because I didn’t fly out until 7 pm at night. Actually let me rephrase, I wasn’t supposed to fly out until 7 pm which then turned into 8 pm. I landed in Washington for my connecting flight just in time to make my connection, (Well, just in time for me to stop at Starbucks to get one of their new Flat White coffees and make my connection). Once I actually got on the plane we were then delayed another hour before we could even take off.
Once I finally landed in Connecticut it was after midnight and I still had an hour taxi ride to get to the hotel. Luckily Greg Downing was in the same situation and we were able to get a ride together. Partially the reason why my travel days are so long is because I do it alone, so anytime I get some company it’s great. We get to the hotel around 1:45 am and off to bed with an 8 am shoot around.
Game Day
We got to the arena/resort/casino a little early so we got the chance to look around and see this pretty neat facility. One of the coolest things was the wall of fame of different artists that have performed there. Each artist signed the wall. In shoot-around we cover the things we do each week to get ready for this specific game. We do some fine tuning on both sides of the ball and get a good sweat on. We didn’t get a chance to go see the actual casino yet so that will be exciting to see afterwards, but this morning was all business.
When practice was over we all headed to Chili’s for a team lunch, Shuss, Moose, Broadie and I shared a flatbread pizza, some fried pickles and some great guacamole for appys. The excuse for some questionable health choices at lunch is that we’re going to use it in the game tonight. I tend to use this excuse quite a lot during the season. We get back to the hotel for a little two hour nap before it’s go time.
The Game
Going up to against a defence and a goalie who has started the season red hot has had our offence really focused on the game plan. We came right out of the gates firing, moving the ball really well and finishing on our opportunities. We were able to put up six goals in the first quarter. New England came right back at us and were able to answer each run we put together with one of their own and keeping a close margin going into the half. Our defence and goaltending were able to stand strong in the first half and really help us out at the front door by pushing the ball and trapping some of their O guys on defence. In the second half, New England came out strong and Kevin Crowley was really able to show how good he is. He is a special player who is able to constantly create opportunities for himself and his team. Luckily Higgins continued his stellar play and would come up with unbelievable saves right when we needed them the most. Our transition was able to bury a bunch of goals to help our offence out in the second half and really proved to be the difference in the game. We put up 19 goals as a team and it was really balanced scoring that did this.
Guys like Corbyn Tao and Dean Hill have really been the key to our success as an offence so far. Corbyn does all of the little things that some times go unnoticed but I am so lucky to have him on my side of the floor. He is one of the best in the world at doing his job and it’s really helping our offence this season. Obviously Miles Thompson is continuing to be all that we hoped he would be and more and Logan being back really helps complete our offence. Shayne Jackson has been an offensive stud every single game this season, he plays the game like he is 6’5″ and leaves everything on the floor. He is continuing to show how great of a player he is and it’s only the beginning. This group of offensive players with the guys we have pushing the ball up out of our back end is really fun to play with. The most unselfish lacrosse I have ever been a part of and it’s exciting for the potential of what is to come.
