On Sunday, March 13th, my hockey team was in the State Championship at the United Center. It was a day full of excitement and dreams come true. We got a chance very few get to and that is to play on the ice where some of the greatest hockey players have ever played. It was also a game to determine the Illinois High School State Champion. GBN and New Trier were the only two teams left in the state. It was a hard fought battle that new Trier won in the third period. Although we didn't win, the day was one to remember. I don't think I will ever forget the day I got to play at the United Center in front of over 10,000 people. Friends family and students from both High Schools came to support the teams. The atmosphere was up-beat and intense. The only thing that was missing at the end of the day was the State Championship trophy. That was everything we had worked for this entire season. To come so far and loose was at first pretty depressing, but I like to look at the positives like all of our fans who cheered us on, and the fact that it was at the United Center and no one can ever take that away from us.
The game itself wasn't our best. I felt we were more hyped up about the United Center than the actual game. Would we have won if it was the same stakes, but at a normal rink? I don't know, but you have to wonder. My entire team was excited. But what were we actually excited for? The focus of our team was supposed to be on the game, but I believe it might have drifted away. I know I loved looking into the crowd and seeing my friends and family, but who doesn't? It's supposed to be a fun experience.
I have two years left of High School hockey and for the next to years I will have the same goal. Make it to the last game at the United Center. It isn't an easy task. Our season is long and takes up a lot of time. The team becomes a family. Working together to become champions. THis year we fell short, but I believe we are going to hungrier than ever in the next two years because I think I speak for everyone when I say that we aren't loosing at the United Center again. We will be back though and next time we won't fail.
Dan, I can’t even imagine how nervous and excited you guys were to play in front of that many people, I don’t think I could have done that. I was at the game cheering you guys on, and I have to say it was so fun to watch. Being able to see my friends play on the rink home to the defending Stanley Cup champions was really cool and exciting. The really weird part was seeing five lower classman on the ice during one shift because I personally knew them and it was a strange feeling to know that my friends were the ones controlling the game. At the end of your post you said you won’t fail next time, but I really don’t think you guys failed. You may have lost the game, but you didn’t fail. I thought you guys played your hardest and it made the gave very exciting. You guys have two more years to complete this task and I think you guys can do it. The upside to even making it to the United Center is that you get to play at nationals; so don’t worry about losing the state championship, I’m confident that you guys can win nationals with Dan Goldblatt leading the way.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very exhilarating experience. As the team goes on in future seasons to the United Center I bet there will be more focus on the game because you've already been to the United Center once, and it won't be as new of an experience for the team. The questions you raised were important and good to contemplate for future improvement. It's very impressive that GBN Hockey made it to the championships. From my experience playing a sport takes up a lot of time and it's cool that you guys are so dedicated.
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