League hockey is over for me for another year and I'm heading into the summer all pissy.  Our league games actually finished at the end of March but our annual tournament is typically held at the end of April and is more of the end of the season ... last time to see most of the girls until next October.  The tournament is great.  We usually get slaughtered but its fun and playing against better players makes us work harder and play better (and its a better workout).

This morning we had our final game.  We knew it was going to be tough because we only had two spares and the other team had 3 full lines (for any non hockey people our 7 skaters to their 15).  The team was from our own league so we knew what to expect ... they moved up to a division above ours this year and were pretty good but normally a fun team to play.

Little did we know what we were in for ... you've gotta love it when the other team gets called for slashing and interference AT THE SAME FREAKIN' TIME.  Sad thing was we couldn't get the damn puck out of our end while they were short because they put all the ringers in.  So we're pissed that they're rougher and chippier than we're used to but whatever ... let's play.

But then NOTHING else was called the rest of the flippin' game.  The ref's totally ignored at least 5 calls that should have been penalties.

1.  I'm beside one of their girls near their blue line ... I'm trying to get to the point but she's got my stick pinned so hard I can't get away ... and I'm standing in front of the freakin' ref.  I even looked at her ... she looked back and looked away like nothing was going on.

2.  Lucky #13 is making for the puck in the other team's end ... one of the opposing players hooks her forearm with enough force to turn her.  #13 was so angry she turned around and started hollering at the girl which is totally out of character for her.

3.  #6 is booting along (she's our best skater) and an opposing player slashes her wrist.

4.  #11 (one of my defensive partners) is coming down with one of their wingers near the boards ... they're both diggin' after the puck with their sticks.  All of a sudden #11's stick is flying across the ice.  Two handed over head slash that you couldn't miss (unless you had your head stuck up your freakin' twat).

5.  #13, lucky again, gets a bear hug style mauling against the boards.

I'm angry with the ref's for missing all this but I'm even angrier at the other team.  We know them ... they're from our league unlike half the other teams the come from as far as Prince Edward Island.  One of their players used to be our back up goalie.  We had no expectations of a win.  We just wanted to play a good game of hockey with a fun team.  Man that was ruined for us.

To many of you it might not seem like a big deal because you see so much worse on TV.  But think about who's playing ... Adult Recreational (we all have to get up for work in the morning), mostly mid to late 30's, 40's and older, and in our division, people that have played for 5 years or less (and started as an adult ... so we kinda suck), women.  The emphasis of reffing changed this year so that things that were previously okay (like lifting a stick or ass nudging someone out of the way) aren't unless the puck is right at your feet.  Slashing, hooking have NEVER been okay.

</rant>

Oh ... and FYI ... all female hockey players don't have buzz cuts and wear comfy shoes ... I make a point of wearing heels to the arena ... lol.


p.s. Sorry about the length ... but damn I feel better ...