No one could have predicted the strange series of events that culminated in AJ playing goalie tonight. Just as I never would have predicted the upbeat attitude he would adopt after losing a total blowout.
It started two weeks ago, when the regular goalie fell (off the ice) and broke his arm. It just so happened that AJ had been playing as goalie that night at practice, and so we hung on to the gear. We were supposed to bring the gear to another boy to wear tonight, but then got a call from the coach saying they'd switched up the schedule, and so AJ ended up in the net. His dream come true.
Until the puck dropped.
The match up was so lopsided it wasn't even funny. I think the final score was something like 30-1.
AJ made some great saves. He certainly had plenty of opportunities considering how many shots the Hermantown team was able to take.
During intermission, AJ skated over to us, looking upset. To cheer him up, Jeff told him the opponents were probably one of the best teams in the state. Meanwhile, I told him to focus on how many shots he'd been able to block.
The pep talk helped, and off he skated for another 20 minutes of target practice.
I was proud of him for never quitting, and expected we'd need to repeat our efforts to cheer him up after the game.
There was no need.
AJ summed up the experience as "It was awesome! They were one of the best teams in the state, so I must be one of the best goalies in the state."
We'll just let him keep thinking that.
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