Chelsea Challenge 02 Memories

• I remember tossing a weak wrist shot on net that went in... I don't think the goalie was expecting it - neither was either bench or the ref! I wasn't sure it counted based on the silence of the arena. I was glad it did, it tied the game.
• I remember Michel Germain skated so fast beating everyone to the puck to score the winning GOAL! Sweet! OK Michel, you made your point - get AGGRESSIVE!
• I remember Tom, Ben and me letting our gear breathe before the finals, and flies circulating over the open bags like they were moonshine.
• I remember everyone asking, 'Why did you guys (orange) lose with such a stacked team?'
• I remember how infectious Beau's positive attitude about playing 5 games over the weekend was.
• I remember 'Sticks down when hugging the goaltender!'
• I remember standing against the glass with Dave Harbatkin during Sunday's game between Green and Maroon, just hoping that Red could eek out a spot in the playoffs
• I remember Charlie Mulkeen skating full throttle towards me and thinking 'I'm gonna die...'
• I remember having to play the one skater position I never checked off on the registration form... center.
• I remember I remember how much fun it was to meet players from other cities & countries )
• I remember how much fun it was having my Tiger teammates cheer me on
• I remember Scott scoring an exciting goal in our first game...oh wait, he scored about 10 of our goals...forget it!
• I remember hearing 'YOU got a goal?????!!!'
• I remember my friends cheering in the stands when I did, in fact, get that goal.
• I remember being hugged and smacked on the butt by a bunch of sweaty guys when I got that goal!
• I remember cheering for Moose as her name was announced as she received her gold medal!
• I remember Scott's impersonation of Bobby Orr.... getting a goal and doing a belly flop!
• I remember Jeff Kagan & all his hard work. Thanks for organizing this!!!
• I remember the foul stench of fermenting hockey gear and aging bananas in the room under the bleachers
• I remember that same room from last year. And why we had to keep our stuff INSIDE the bags this year!
• I remember the gin & tonics flowing at the Friday after-party (at least the first few...)
• I remember thinking how fortunate I was to have orange socks to match my orange jersey.
• I remember how odd it felt to play against my Tiger teammates.
• I remember getting to play with some of the greatest people... and winning the whole thing... Thanks, Maroon team... you guys (and gal) are the best!
• I remember my biggest fear was that I might pass to someone in Orange since that's usually the right thing to do.
• I remember everyone having fun and playing with a lot of sportsmanship (mostly)
• I remember someone telling me they'd score goals on me and shooting wide on a break-away.
• I remember getting more comments on my leather than my legs at Splash on Saturday.
• I remember while handing out bananas people taking the hard ones over the soft ones.
• I remember over skating the puck so many times, that I didn't want it near me.
• I remember getting so frustrated skating against Vinny that I couldn't pass up the chance to check him with his head down. The ref must have felt sorry for my lame check because it didn't even draw a penalty.
• I remember how it was so worth the fifteen hours there and back to spend time with all my friends back home in the city I love. THANKS JEFF for a wonderful weekend. You and all of you in NYC Gay Hockey RULE!!
• I remember the strange looks my fellow teamates from Atlanta got at Splash with their leather gear on. You go girls!
• I remember Pierre Sicotte pulling us together for our championship win in the last minutes by telling us all that 'WE CAN DO THIS' and especially by telling us that 'Whatever happens, this has been a beautiful weekend and I love you all...now LET'S GO DO IT!'
• I remember the banana and water girl!!!
• I remember Kagan calming me down in the many weeks leading up to the Challenge everytime a 'crisis' came up (and Steve O calming me down when Jeff couldn't :-). We wouldn't have had a tournament if it weren't for Jeff. Muawah!
• I remember feeling like a proud father when I saw how tight the team became. 1-2-3 BLUE!!! We'll get `em next year. Thanks For The Memories, #6
• I remember nearly barfing on the bench after eating 8 bananas for breakfast on Sunday morning.

We are indebted to Joe Brainard's poetry: I Remember