Hockey Chat:  Some of the greatest games began with a good ol’ locker room pep talk.  It was a talk by the coach or team captain.  It was the motivation to start the team off on the strong foot and carry them through the game.  Sure the team could’ve went out there and played the game without the words of wisdom, but the outcome may not have been the same.

Hockey Chat:  You take the time to lace up the skates just right.  You got the good stick with the perfect curve.  You have the essential pads and you’re set to go.  You spring off the bench and over the boards and then just coast around.  Is it too much work to skate hard?  Well then what’s the point of coming to the game if you didn’t come to play to win?  Is someone else suppose to pick up the puck and score the goals?  You need to play to win.

Hockey Chat:  There are some games that I go away from the ice not knowing the score but confident that I tried with all my heart, stayed in it through all the bumps, and skated hard until it was over.  To me I felt like I had won.  I did everything I could and did my best.  You know those games.  You go away a winner, not caring about the final score.

Hockey Chat:  The game of hockey is captivating.  It’s easy to get in the zone and get caught up with the game.  Sometimes we get so enthralled we forget we have other players to pass to or we are running so high that when someone gives us a bump we take it as a personal attack.  To win the game you have to play the game.  When the focus moves from the game to you, both will lose.  Professional players that try to be the lone-ranger hot-dogs are not needed on any team.  Pro players that take dumb penalties are sent somewhere else where they can’t hurt the team by sending the rest of the guys out there short handed so often.