Beer Leagues, Gear, and other Non-Pro Related Items

LogansDad

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SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,152
Alamogordo
Man I love playing this game. We have 9 weeks left in our class, so trying to decide if I want to take the class again or join a Bronze B team.... I much prefer joining a team, obviously, but we will see how the next few weeks go.

We are getting ready to send the kids to their mom's for the summer so I'm hoping to find a little bit more free time to get out to stick time each week, as the last few have been tough. Our class has finally progressed to scrimmages, but it'll be more fun once everyone finally figures out how to stay onsides!
 

RIFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
Man I love playing this game. We have 9 weeks left in our class, so trying to decide if I want to take the class again or join a Bronze B team.... I much prefer joining a team, obviously, but we will see how the next few weeks go.

We are getting ready to send the kids to their mom's for the summer so I'm hoping to find a little bit more free time to get out to stick time each week, as the last few have been tough. Our class has finally progressed to scrimmages, but it'll be more fun once everyone finally figures out how to stay onsides!
I started in my 40’s much the same way you are. I stuck with an adult learn to play / scrimmage program through several sessions for about a year. I stopped when that program ended. I hooked on with a C league team that’s progressed to a B league. I’ve found that I miss the skills and drills. It was a good of sized leap from scrimmages with low skilled guys to a c league and a massive jump from there to a B league. I’m probably a better overall player now than a few years ago, but for a while my game got worse from just playing games. I now play pickup in addition to the league and use that to work on specific things.

Without knowing where your skill set is, I’d recommend joining a rookie league and still doing skills if you can. Get a taste of games to gauge where you are but still work on your skills. You’re not likely to get much better just in games.
 

locknload

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
3,773
Haverhill MA
I started in my 40’s much the same way you are. I stuck with an adult learn to play / scrimmage program through several sessions for about a year. I stopped when that program ended. I hooked on with a C league team that’s progressed to a B league. I’ve found that I miss the skills and drills. It was a good of sized leap from scrimmages with low skilled guys to a c league and a massive jump from there to a B league. I’m probably a better overall player now than a few years ago, but for a while my game got worse from just playing games. I now play pickup in addition to the league and use that to work on specific things.

Without knowing where your skill set is, I’d recommend joining a rookie league and still doing skills if you can. Get a taste of games to gauge where you are but still work on your skills. You’re not likely to get much better just in games.
The better skater you are the easier hockey is. Stick time always seems hard and expensive to get. So the easiest way I've found to improve is lots of work on your skating. Are there any public skates you can get to? Even spending an hour on the ice just working on edge work, or backwards skating, starts and stops, can make a huge difference. If there are not a lot of good public skate options, get a pair of roller blades and find a good path/park. Plus its great exercise and will improve stamina, toss some headphones in and IMO is a million times more fun than running. I haven't gotten to try them myself but we've gotten a ton of good feedback for http://marsblade.com/. Other options for cheap skills improvements is a cheap swedish stick handling ball. Just a literal wooden ball you practice stick handling with. Works great on non-shag carpets while you watch tv or something so you practice controlling the ball while focusing on something else with your head up. You can buy fancy stick handling practice devices, but honestly just three cans on the floor and you stick handling around them with your ball.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,152
Alamogordo
So, we have 5 weeks left in our class, and we are going to go ahead and sign up again, mostly because my work schedule isn't going to let me be regularly available on the night that the beginner league plays on. I think both me and the wife would be good to go in a league (she is a better skater than me, but I tend to pick up on team sport stuff quicker, if that makes any sense), but I didn't want to commit to something only to have us be a burden on our team. We can't afford both at the moment, otherwise we would.

I am finally to the point where I am working on backwards crossovers, and I had a great day on defense in our 25 minute scrimmage this week (which was up from the usual 12 minute scrimmages we had been having.... my legs were toast). Transitions can still be an adventure, but I get up faster after falling on my face than I used to, so I feel like that is progress. I think the biggest improvement for me has been trusting my stopping ability, so that I can skate hard a lot better than in the past, when I had to coast and then stop, which slowed everything else down.

I guess in the spirit of the thread, do you guys have any recommendations for shoulder pads? We are using the beginner stuff that we got from our pro shop, but I'm interested in looking into something that's a little less bulky so that I don't feel like I'm role playing Escape from LA every time I get on the ice.

Also, we might be moving back to the northeast next year when I retire from the military, so if anyone knows a good place with a beginner class or league we could look into, that would be awesome, too. It sounds stupid, but one of my bigger stressors about retirement right now is not wanting to end up somewhere that I can't keep up playing this sport that I am just starting to learn.
 

McDrew

Set Adrift on Memory Bliss
SoSH Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,060
Portland, OR
I'm looking for apartments within waking distance to two disc golf courses. I totally get the need to want to have the ability to pursue a new passion.
 

RIFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
Also, we might be moving back to the northeast next year when I retire from the military, so if anyone knows a good place with a beginner class or league we could look into, that would be awesome, too. It sounds stupid, but one of my bigger stressors about retirement right now is not wanting to end up somewhere that I can't keep up playing this sport that I am just starting to learn.
You won't have a problem finding something. If you end up in Mass, NESHL has draft rookie and novice leagues. FMC Icesports has adult instructional and novice pickups at several of their rinks. Worst case is you call a couple of rinks near where you are and let them know you're interested in C or D level and to get you on a list for any teams short a player.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,152
Alamogordo
Nice, thanks.

Do you guys know of any site that break down positions (like expectations of each position in each zone) on a layman's level? Asking for my wife.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
It varies from system to system, but roughly:

DZ- everyone likes something different, but a simple set-up is that the Strong Side (SS) D will pressure the puck, Weak Side (WS) D will cover the front of the net. The Center (C) will help out down low, either backing up the SS D or joining in the pressure. SS Wing (W) will prevent the pass to the point or the high cycle, WS W will pick up the high slot or help out in front if the other team is loading up low.

NZ- completely dependent on system, but I find that generally forwards should pressure the puck carrier to force a decision, while the SS D plays a tighter gap than the WS D.

OZ- (F positions should be completely fluid here, so they are F1/F2/F3 instead of W-C-W)
When carrying the puck in the zone, F1 should go wide to create width, F2 should drive hard to the far post, and F3 should stay high to create depth. From there it's all reading the play- F1 has space? Drive the net for a 2v1. D early pressures F1? Drop back to F3 or curl back up the boards. etc.
When forechecking, F1 should look to pressure the puck hard, F2 should be supporting (see where F1 forces the puck carrier and cut off) and F3 should be high, mirroring the puck. I think that works well, but there are obviously different forechecks.
When in possession, the forwards should be looking to set up triangles (corner/slot/net or corner/corner/net or corner/half wall/slot etc) and make the D move to open holes for attack. For beginners, if someone else has the puck, go to the net with your stick on the ice. Don't stand next to the goalie but a few feet out.

As a beginner, to keep it super simple, in the DZ- find an opposing player who is open and follow them in the NZ, get in the way, and in the OZ, find some space in front of the net.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Just be, well, careful in some of those leagues. FYI I hate the NESHL but I’ve played in it for the last ~10 years. Best I’ve found and most accessible.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/deadspin.com/5868584/how-a-senior-league-hockey-fight-ended-with-one-player-pooping-in-an-opponents-glove/amp
There are some good players in the league. Widest range of skills, so sure to find a fit if you look around enough.

Lot of nonsense though, from Paul (especially) on down.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
Yeah Paul is my biggest issue with the league. Primarily around scheduling, especially since we have like 2 games this summer before 9:40. Someone told me he's trying to sell the league but is asking for exorbitant prices, so we'll see how that goes (or if it's even true).
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
my biggest issue with Paul is the lack of accountability for dangerous players, but yeah, the scheduling is atrocious.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
I always appreciated the NESHL for doing something that (frankly) I have no interest in doing myself, which is organizing all that bullshit.

Having moved down to VA, and seeing how some local leagues are run around here - the NESHL is a clown show, and succeeds in spite of how fucked up it is.
 

TFP

Moderator
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SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2007
20,380
Best thing we ever did was leave the NESHL Marlborough league like 8 years ago and move to Westborough. Better players, better ice quality, better time, better refs...better everything. I also just realized I've probably been playing men's league for like 13 years now. That's scary.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
my biggest issue with Paul is the lack of accountability for dangerous players, but yeah, the scheduling is atrocious.
My favorite experience was one of the first years I played the ref gave us an extra goal against a team that was full of assholes (actively slashing us, trying to goad people into fights, etc.) in the semifinals. We won by 1. The biggest asshole/meathead on the other team then took his jersey off on the ice and tried to fight the refs. I'm pretty sure he was supposed to be banned from the league already due to previous acts of shitheaddery. Good times.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
SoSH Member
Oct 25, 2007
12,280
Between here and everywhere.
My favorite experience was one of the first years I played the ref gave us an extra goal against a team that was full of assholes (actively slashing us, trying to goad people into fights, etc.) in the semifinals. We won by 1. The biggest asshole/meathead on the other team then took his jersey off on the ice and tried to fight the refs. I'm pretty sure he was supposed to be banned from the league already due to previous acts of shitheaddery. Good times.
I need more details here.

How did they "give" you an extra goal? Did they just tell the scorekeeper to add one to the total?

Did meathead get the refs? Or was he held back by teammates/you guys?
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
I think it was more they scored and he either told the scorekeeper to give us a goal or just didn't put it on. The refs were able to avoid the guy enough to get the nets on the side after the zam passed on the boards and then got out of there. I think it was more of the "I'm so angry and I'm going to posture and try to fight you" type of threat. He spent the game trying to cheapshot a bunch of 21 year olds, so I don't think he was the toughest of people, just an asshole.

That was the same year a different player on a different team deliberately shot a puck at a ref after his teammate got a penalty for shooting the puck at a ref, which he clearly did so accidentally. The game got called after that incident.
 

wiffleballhero

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Mar 28, 2009
4,536
In the simulacrum
NZ- completely dependent on system, but I find that generally forwards should pressure the puck carrier to force a decision, while the SS D plays a tighter gap than the WS D.
Man, I wish I could get my beer league team to fully process this point. Most of the time our weak, shitty wings are so worried about being behind the play that as soon as the other team has the puck they skate back like we are setting up for half-court defense in basketball, and so that first pass is always too easy. But it is amazing how effectively you can create a crappy first pass just by a little pressure on the decision.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Man, I wish I could get my beer league team to fully process this point. Most of the time our weak, shitty wings are so worried about being behind the play that as soon as the other team has the puck they skate back like we are setting up for half-court defense in basketball, and so that first pass is always too easy. But it is amazing how effectively you can create a crappy first pass just by a little pressure on the decision.
It’s brutal. I can’t tell you how many times a game or pickup skate I’m yelling “step up” as the forwards on my team skate backwards into me in the NZ.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
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Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
My favorite are all the forwards that get stuck below the goal line in the offensive zone since they don’t realize if you play third guy high in the offensive zone you can just pick off lazy passes up the middle and get the puck in prime territory.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,152
Alamogordo
Scored two goals in our 35 minute scrimmage Sunday night (one more week left in this class), so that was fun. Still working on the backwards crap, but have made tons of progress on left stops, to the point I'm almost as comfortable as my normal stops. I fucking love being on the ice, and when I retire next year I need to make sure I am closer than a 40 minute drive to a rink (which we are now).

Also, you guys are absolutely right about the forwards pressing in the offensive zone. I swear the D turns it over 50% of the time.

Every week I get more disappointed in myself that I didn't find a way to start playing sooner.
 

TFP

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Dec 10, 2007
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Big win for the team last night. Won our semi-final playoff game (top 4 teams, single elim), finals are on Thursday night. Winter season we lost in the finals in OT, hopefully we can win it this . Got some good competition though, just a couple AHL/NHL/Olympic players on the opposing team, no big deal. Will be a good skate, we've been long overdue for a title in Westborough, we've never won one despite having been there for 8-ish years. Granted, a title means we just drink beers like always after the game and feel extra good about ourselves for like an hour. Maybe some bragging rights and some extra fun instagram posts on the team page.

It's @houndshockey69 on instagram if anyone wants to follow along.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
Man I really hate my men's league team this summer. Just a bunch of people playing dumb. The amount of times I have to yell at a winger to stay on their goddamned point and not drift to the front of the net to pick up nobody for some godforsaken reason has been quite large. Also, if a d-man gets caught low in the offensive zone and I'm yelling at someone to cover the point, actually cover the point and try to play a modicum of defense, which doesn't mean pinching on a puck along the boards that you have a 20% chance of actually winning. Why don't we just try keeping a third guy high and have him pick off random passes instead of having three guys get caught below the goal line and give up another 4-on-2 while we're protecting a one goal lead.
 

TFP

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Dec 10, 2007
20,380
That is why I enjoy being one of the worst players on a good team. I'm so focused on my own game I don't worry about anyone else's.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
It’s not even that. I was one of the better players on my last team but people actually knew basics of positioning, like keeping on your point if you’re a winger. Damn mite shit. Especially frustrating as a defenseman who wins a puck in the corner, looks for an outlet and sees three guys standing around on the opposite side flying the zone. SERENITY NOW!
 

TFP

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Dec 10, 2007
20,380
4-3 win for the good guys in OT. I took a Wayne Simpson shot off the ankle that doesn’t feel great but it doesn’t really matter at this point. Fun game.

The instagram page has some great content going.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Excellent name drop.

Congrats on the win- hope you celebrated properly.
My 40+ team won the league last season after 13 years...4 dudes had been there the whole time. Them 4 and me shut down Kettle Ho. They were pumped.
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
It’s not even that. I was one of the better players on my last team but people actually knew basics of positioning, like keeping on your point if you’re a winger. Damn mite shit. Especially frustrating as a defenseman who wins a puck in the corner, looks for an outlet and sees three guys standing around on the opposite side flying the zone. SERENITY NOW!
Just to open the can of worms-

F should NOT be covering the point- it opens up too much space in the middle of the zone. They need to be able to deny a pass and get in the shooting lanes of course, but ‘covering’ the point is some 1970s shit.
 

TFP

Moderator
Moderator
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Dec 10, 2007
20,380
Excellent name drop.

Congrats on the win- hope you celebrated properly.
My 40+ team won the league last season after 13 years...4 dudes had been there the whole time. Them 4 and me shut down Kettle Ho. They were pumped.
We definitely did it properly. Brought the speaker into our bar playing We are the Champions then made them shut off the jukebox and played DJ. Considering most of us have been on the team for 10+ years, it was fun to celebrate.
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
Just to open the can of worms-

F should NOT be covering the point- it opens up too much space in the middle of the zone. They need to be able to deny a pass and get in the shooting lanes of course, but ‘covering’ the point is some 1970s shit.
I used it more in a sense of in the general vicinity and not down low pretending to be a dman in front of the net. Cover the point is a lot more pithy.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,152
Alamogordo
We finished our class last week, and will be starting up again in two weeks. Tonight was the rink's one-off free introductory clinic for new people, and me and the wife figured, "Hey, free ice time, there's slots left, may as well sign up again."

I probably won't do it again, as it is way more for new people than I remember it being when I went through, and I felt kind of bad taking up ice for people who were just learning how to skate. But at the same time, it was pretty cool to know that that is where I was 6 months ago, and to see how much we have improved in that time.

I really, really wish my work schedule would allow me to play in league....
 

The Mort Report

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 5, 2007
6,904
Concord
It’s not even that. I was one of the better players on my last team but people actually knew basics of positioning, like keeping on your point if you’re a winger. Damn mite shit. Especially frustrating as a defenseman who wins a puck in the corner, looks for an outlet and sees three guys standing around on the opposite side flying the zone. SERENITY NOW!
Try being a goalie haha. In Colorado I played with some guys that were amazing athletes that picked up hockey late, and all they would do is chase the puck all over the zone. Or try to block/stop shots. My favorite was a wide low slapshot with 3 seconds left that was going to miss the net when my forward, perfectly screening me, reached out to stop the puck only to score a beautiful tip in. Over my shoulder. In the playoffs. Of a tied game

But man do I still love hockey
 

kenneycb

Hates Goose Island Beer; Loves Backdoor Play
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2006
16,090
Tuukka's refugee camp
We had our last regular season game last night in the NESHL. Paul then decides to schedule us for a playoff game tonight at 10 PM without giving any advance notice. We have gotten that moved to a 9:30 game tomorrow night but are still scrambling. I really fucking hate this league.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,152
Alamogordo
Skating. We were looking at the Hockey Shot setup for our garage.

Our rink is almost an hour drive and it's hard for me and the wife to match our schedules since she started a new kob.
 

locknload

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
3,773
Haverhill MA
Skating. We were looking at the Hockey Shot setup for our garage.

Our rink is almost an hour drive and it's hard for me and the wife to match our schedules since she started a new kob.
So feedback on skating tiles have been mixed (one of the reason we haven't run a deal on them). Some think they change your stride and mess you up, others have complained they mess up your skates and recommend you have a junk pair for them. Overall I'm not sure they are worth it. Now the shooting passing ones are different those are awesome, and with a DIY pass helper () and a net they are a blast for practicing shooting and passing.

If you haven't already joined we would love to have you over at the group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/183079712265223/

If you come over feel free to post and ask that question lots of people there with experience and the community is great (shameless plug)
 

Dummy Hoy

Angry Pissbum
SoSH Member
Jul 22, 2006
8,232
Falmouth
Second that.

Do it loud enough so that everyone hears- bench, goalies, refs, other team, girlfriend in the stands, whatever.