A Clipboard exclusive – we get an inside look at North American Junior hockey through the eyes of Mike Gionta. While playing for the Queen City Steam of the Central States Hockey League, Mike will share his weekly experiences with the Clipboard. He doesn’t mind being called the cousin of Brian or Stephen, but on the Clipboard he is Mike Gionta.
The first game finally came this weekend. I was anxious to see if I was going to be able to be in the lineup. I have busted my butt during practice and off-ice sessions that we had. When the lineup was finally posted with my name and number, I was excited.
We faced off against the Metro Jets. The game pace was much faster than I was used to, so it took a few shifts to adjust to it.
Then in the third period something terrible happened. Our captain, Tucker Green, got into a fight. In the fight Tuck went to lean in to grab the Metro player’s jersey, and then the player from Metro came across with a hay maker and knocked Tuck to the ice. When he went down he smashed his head on the ice and just laid there. 30 seconds later he went into a seizure. Everybody in the building was concerned for his safety. It was easily one of the toughest things I have ever watched.
After he was wheeled away on a stretcher we finished the game with an ending score of the Steam 6, and the Jets 1. Later that night we were assured that our captain was going to be okay, which was a enormous relief.
The next morning we had practice at 8:30am. Since we didn’t have a game on Saturday Coach Biggs wanted us to get a light skate in. Later that day we watched the Metro Jets play our next-day opponents: The Cleveland Jr. Jacks.
Curfew on Saturday was 11 o clock.
Sunday started with a team breakfast at one of the players’ houses. From there we headed to the rink around 10:30am for a 1pm game vs. Cleveland. Again I was waiting for the lineup to be announced. I was on it again thankfully.
The puck dropped, and the game was back and forth ending with a score of 6-6. Then OT came. We battled and battled. Then a Steam player skated into the opposing zone and around the defensemen and passed it back door for an easy tap in goal. The final score was Steam 7, and the Jr. Jacks 6.
Coming out of my first weekend I know what I have to work on more, and what I need to get better at. I love what I am doing, playing hockey every day and just living the hockey player’s dream.
Casey says
Mike,
Inquiring minds want to know – what do you need to get better at?