Game On!

I had hoped to post last night but I didn't have any WiFi in my RV. I initially came to the rink last night to just drop off my gear but at the last minute decided to stay in the RV that I was assigned to get the feel for the living away from home for 10 days, and to meet my roomies Candice and Deb.  Not to mention that the 5:30 am players meeting was too early to want to venture in from home.

I found out on Wednesday that the facility includes only the building and our fenced in RV area. No parking lot and no soccer fields. Luckily there is an area that my husband will be able to bring my dogs to come visit me during my time away.


There is WiFi in the arena although I was hoping to do more impromptu updates from the RV - I will do my best to keep you informed in between the playing, sleeping and eating...... I just realized I have some pictures to share but I forgot the camera cord in the RV so I will have to post them a bit later.

I had a bit of a choppy sleep last night, not sure if it was  that I was afraid that I would sleep in or if it was from my anxious anticipation. I woke up about 3 times in the night but quickly went back to sleep. I woke exactly at 5am to get ready for the day. The player meeting was at 5:30 where we reviewed the rules and processes for the next 10 days.  We had our breakfast just after 6 (thank you to our volunteer breakfast crew).

By 6:45 we were in our respective dressing rooms, getting ready to be on the ice by 7:15 for the introduction of each player, welcoming remarks, ceremonial puck drop, the National anthem, and warm up so that we were ready for the puck drop at exactly 8am.

My husband David and dad Rolph were here bright and early to share this moment. As were many media crew and if you watch the news today,  I would be surprised if you don't see a mention of the Longest Game 4CF.

What was it like skating on the ice when my name was called....Emotional! I didn't realize I would feel that overwhelming sense of emotion. And as I looked around at the other players, I could tell they were feeling it too.

I completed my first hour of play and it felt good, although it did help that we had the full 20 Red players on the bench for shift changes. I haven't played in a game for almost 7years so for my first few shifts, I felt a bit scattered, but as the game went on, it was coming back to me.  My next shift is 4pm - 8pm, and each shift will only have 1 sub for 4 hours. I have a feeling I will be able to reacquaint myself with all the positions by the end of this game.

If you can't make it out to the rink, there is video live streaming. I have linked it on the right side and below.

Game On - live video stream

Well, it is time for me to sign off now to grab some lunch and have a pre-game nap! I just noticed the next shift line is ready to relive the first shift so I have 4 more hours before I am back on the ice.