roadhockey.net

Rain doesn't dampen hardcore

For the handful of roadsters huddled under the tarp, wondering if enough players for a game would brave yet another cold, rainy Sunday, it felt a little like one step forward, two steps back.

Two weeks after the roadsters rallied to save the weekly game by chopping and shoveling snow and ice from the concrete court, and then last week's season-high turnout, it was more of the same old same old Sunday. Only the fierce determination of the seven players who reported for play prevented yet another game from being lost to the elements.

"This is brutal," said Cowboy Bill of the poor turnout that forced the roadsters to play a modified game in which one team counted goals only when their shooters hit a goalpost. "Sure, we're having some brutal weather, but for the guys not to show up, it's just really disheartening."

"It's unfortunate," said Wink, a fellow founding father who's endured every weather challenge through his long career. "I think a few guys came out today, and a lot of guys are sitting at home eating bon bons. I think road hockey's collective heart is broken right now."

Indeed, when the roadsters responded to Gump's challenge by showing up in force with shovels and rock salt to clear the court of two weeks of snow and frozen slush to ensure the game could go on, it seemed the league had reached a turning point in its most difficult season. Weeks of rain, cold and indifference in the ranks were forgotten, as veterans recalled the game's spirit that has fueled it for 15 seasons and newcomers looked forward to the rest of the season with renewed enthusiasm.

"This is an awesome group we've got out here, and you wanna keep doing it every Sunday," said one of those rookies, Smith.

"I thought, you know, this is really gonna be good for the second half," said Cowboy Bill of the encouraging turn the season seemed to have taken in previous weeks. "But then we come to this week and here we go again, with the same old people out here and not enough guys to play."

"I think it's about one step forward and four steps back," said Wink. "it's really not that bad out, but some guys would rather sit around, sip on their diet sodas and watch TLC."

"I can't say I wasn't expecting it," said Smith. "But at the same time, screw it, get out of bed, you get your blood flowing."

"This just shows these guys really are the heart and soul of road hockey," said Cowboy Bill of Sunday's sullen attendance, which even included the injured Living Legend, still recovering from a dislocated shoulder. "We're the hardcore guys who are out here no matter what."

Posted by jaysuburb at February 4, 2007 06:43 PM