The Show Goes On

Alright, already, the show goes on

All night ‘til the morning we dream so long

March 6^th, 2011 was one of the most important days of my life; the day my 9 year old dream came true. Winning the MAHA girl’s hockey state championship was always just a dream, and I never thought it would actually come true. So when I heard that final buzzer ring the emotions were running through me like Usain Bolt runs the 100 meter dash. Crazily. The roar of the crowd and the mess of random helmets, gloves, and sticks filled the arena. We laughed, we cried, we sang. Then we realized we were going to Nationals. Anaheim, California. Nationals. Who ever thought me, the little blonde girl from the UP, would be going to the national tournament. We get to the locker room and go nuts. We get to the lobby of the ice rink and go nuts. We get on the bus to ride home and go nuts. Everything we’ve ever dreamt of just came true. We were the home town heroes.  All over the TV, front cover of the newspaper, our very own TV commercial, recognition from the Mayor, and the chance to make something big of ourselves. Everything was so overwhelming. As Coach Mick would say, “we were going to the big show.”

Anybody ever wonder when they would see the sun go

Just remember when you come up, the show goes on

Nationals came up before any of us knew it. Flying for the first time made me extremely nervous. Especially because the reason I was flying was to play the most important hockey tournament of my life. We flew into Salt Lake City, Utah which I’m pretty sure was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in my life, and then into Anaheim.

So no matter what you’ve been through, no matter what you into

No matter what you see when you look outside your window

 Game one we lost 3-2. We played tough and outshot the other team by 20 shots. We just couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities that we were given. Game two ended 0-0 in regulation. This was the most upsetting game of my lifetime. I’ll never forget it. One minute into overtime, we were shorthanded, and I turned to ring the puck around the boards; I underestimated the angle I was given and shot the puck right into the net. Our net. I scored the winning goal…for the other team. I instantly dropped to my stomach and cried like I’ve never cried before. Once I caught my composure I got up and gave my goalie, Conda, the biggest hug ever. I told her I was sorry over and over. Knowing we could never go back on that moment, we had to pick ourselves up and move on. Yes, it took me hours upon hours to be able to talk to anyone or even be able to look my team in the eyes. Knowing it was my fault the other team won absolutely killed me inside. I’ll never forget the emotions I felt that day. But I picked myself up, moved on, and never gave up. The third game we demolished a team from Pennsylvania. 8-0. This got us into the quarterfinals. We ended up losing to the Alaska Allstars .They were a good, solid team. Their two top lines were going on to play D1 girls hockey on scholarships. They said we were the toughest team they’ve played yet. Even though we lost we still got one of the best compliments ever.

Brown grass or green grass, picket fence or barbed wire

Never ever put them down, you just lift your arms higher

Nationals was the best experience I was ever given. Being able to go to California to play hockey and spend the week with the most amazing girls I know changed my life. The most important thing I learned while I was there was that when you make mistakes you need to be the one to pick yourself up and move on. Don’t dwell on mistakes; use them to your advantage. I have continued to use this not only with myself, but in the recent leadership rolls I’ve been given.

Raise ‘em till your arms tired let ‘em know you here

That you struggling , survivin, that you gon’ persevere

This past weekend I watched one of my teammates deflect a goal in for the other team. She was absolutely torn up; crying like a little baby. She stormed to the bench and told Coach Mick she didn’t want to play. Mick told her to go to the locker room and take her gear off.  She was headed there when I stopped her. I grabbed her by the cage on her helmet and told her to stop. I told her about what I did at nationals and how I needed to pick myself up and move on. And that’s what she needed to do now. She shook her head in a gesture of acceptance; turned around and sat back on the bench. This moment brought tears to my eyes. Knowing that I had that effect on someone made me feel so good about myself.

Yeah, ain’t nobody leavin, nobody going home

Even if they turn the lights out, the show is going on

This past weekend gave me a whole new perspective on myself. I can have a positive effect on people. Maybe I’ve been put on this earth to help. I’ve never sat back and watch things like I did this weekend. I needed to experience things in a different way. I think maybe I have coaching in my future? I feel like I can make people feel better about themselves when they are down. That’s a good characteristic for a coach. Maybe I’m done playing hockey? It’s the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life. But I think I’ve finally accepted it.

Just remember when you come up, the show goes on…<3