Pertaining to (the first two periods of) last night’s game vs. the Washington Capitals, GOOD JOB BOYS! There was effort….sharp skating….slap shotting action….and (several) goals scored! I think my offer of baking cookies for good play may have had something to do with this change in play. Sometimes, they make me so proud. Other times, they don’t. Like when we got into the nitty-gritty of the third period. So in addition to the three suggestions I made yesterday for improving their level of play…I offer one more:
keep the energy going through the third period.
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Moving onto other things. Like Gopher hockey. Gopher Gal has been badgering me (haha, get it? BADGERing? I crack myself up) to post about the successes of the Golden Gopher hockey team so far this year. And I must admit that yes, they are showing much improvement from last season! Good job, Lucia! So, despite a loss on Saturday night in Denver to the Denver Pioneers (shoutout to my favorite DU hockey bloggers at Let’s Go DU!…AND I should mention that we WON Friday night’s game in Denver), the Golden Gophers are STILL ranked number one. I really need to figure out when all of their December home games are. I need to get me some Gopher hockey tickets so that H*Dizz and I can make it to a game!!
I actually got an email from them about a “skate with the Gopher players” event in January….now THAT is something that the Wild should offer. I would definitley be down for a little one-on-one with the Minnesota Wild roster. I know what you’re thinking. Gosh, how many times do I have to tell you to keep your mind outta the gutter? 
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So. We’re down to the two-day-marker to Thanksgiving. The day when Molly and I will be running (crawling?) in the Turkey Day 5K. The day that I’ll be hanging with the whole entire extended family. Including these two:
Who actually like me much more than their facial expressions would suggest.
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It’s supposed to snow all weekend. Well, just Friday and Saturday. But still. All summer, I was longing for a little sporty convertible. I silently screamed at myself for investing in an SUV a few years ago, as gas efficient as my little truck is. But now that we’re getting snow? And ice? And COLD WEATHER? Wow, I really was thinking ahead. I’ve started to remember how incredibly handy an SUV can be during our loooooonnnnnggg winters. I’m gonna go ahead and give myself a little pat on the back for that decision. This guy is pretty happy with my decision, too:
I think he has a few years to go before cousin Cort teaches him to drive.
I thought you would give more props to James Sheppard for scoring the game winner vs. the capitals – I thought maybe there was more than just cookies involved for you motivating him…
I agree the Wild need to keep the stamina through the whole game – it’s partially up to Mikko to keep them motivated, but I have heard that he isn’t that vocal, more a leader by example sort of guy.
I think the motivation responsibility belongs to the coaches first and foremost – you gotta be able to pump up your team and get your guys to play for you – the WHOLE GAME or you aren’t a good coach.
I, too, would LOVE to skate with the Wild . . . I am not a very good skater, though.
Are you, Cortney?
You would think growing up in the state of hockey, ice skating would be in my genes, but I am too clumsy. I think I should have been born in Arizona…no ice skating and the only thing I can grow is a cactus.
Thanks for the Gopher Hockey comments! They are at Mariucci this weekend, ya know!
-Gopher Gal
http://www.goldengophers.blogspot.com/