Here is the story of how I checked #34 off my bucket list...
1996
I had been playing hockey for a year. I was reading every book I could get my hands on regarding hockey skill development and joining every pickup game I could for extra practice. One of my team mates asked if I would be interested in playing a mixed charity hockey game at Maple Leaf Gardens - how could I refuse!!!!
In the 3rd period of the game, I was playing right defence and I was pinching the line. The puck came to me at the top of the right circle. I brought my stick up and slapped at the puck. For the first time, the puck came off the ice (not much, just a foot) and it sailed through the air towards the goalie, it grazed the side of the goalie pad, then bounced into the net.
I stood shocked. I had scored a goal - a flukey goal, but I didn't care! I had scored my first goal. I had scored my first goal at Maple Leaf Gardens!
My team mates were congratulating me and laughing at how excited I was. Even the goalie came out of the net to say congratulations. What a great hockey night in Canada!
#34 Play hockey at Maple Leaf Gardens added to the list in 1989, checked off the list 1996.
1996
I had been playing hockey for a year. I was reading every book I could get my hands on regarding hockey skill development and joining every pickup game I could for extra practice. One of my team mates asked if I would be interested in playing a mixed charity hockey game at Maple Leaf Gardens - how could I refuse!!!!
In the 3rd period of the game, I was playing right defence and I was pinching the line. The puck came to me at the top of the right circle. I brought my stick up and slapped at the puck. For the first time, the puck came off the ice (not much, just a foot) and it sailed through the air towards the goalie, it grazed the side of the goalie pad, then bounced into the net.
I stood shocked. I had scored a goal - a flukey goal, but I didn't care! I had scored my first goal. I had scored my first goal at Maple Leaf Gardens!
My team mates were congratulating me and laughing at how excited I was. Even the goalie came out of the net to say congratulations. What a great hockey night in Canada!
#34 Play hockey at Maple Leaf Gardens added to the list in 1989, checked off the list 1996.
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