Jälkipeli

Hello and moro hockey fans!

Well, I have been back in Lappeenranta for a little over a month now, and I must say, it is great to be back.  I had a great summer and it was good to be home, but I always miss the team, being in the locker room, and the ups and downs of the season.  We are well underway and approaching the first break.  It is always a good time for guys to take a step back and clear our heads, and let our bodies heal from the inevitable bumps and bruises of a season.  Generally we have practice and work on some things, but it is definitely beneficial mentally and physically.

I got selected this year to participate in the Deutschland Cup with Team USA.  I am very honored and thrilled and excited to say the least.  I have never represented my country before, and it is something I have always wanted to do.  A whirlwind of three games in three days in Munich, Germany.  It is going to be a lot of fun.  But lets delve into the life a hockey player away from the rink a little bit.

I really love it here.  I try and describe Lappeenranta to friends and family and often times have a lack of words.  It is such a unique place.  A small town with a big town feel.  I really enjoy living so close to and spending time with the guys.  On other teams, in other cities, this is sometimes not the case.  After practice you can bet that you will find a group of us discussing politics and religion (not quite) at the Coffee House enjoying some fresh brewed beans.  This is something that I love the most about my profession.  Not the coffee, not the time away from the rink.  But spending time with the friends and teammates that you go to battle with on the ice.  I love being in the locker room, I love the camaraderie, I love sharing a common goal and passion to be the best.  I am very fortunate and grateful to do something that I love for work, but I really cherish the friends and team mates I have met along the way.

I think that is enough sentimental mushy stuff for this month.  We have worked our way into a fun routine on Sunday’s now.  We have been going bowling lately, rolling that 14 pound ball at the ever so elusive pins.  We have been making teams and placing small wagers to make it interesting.  Today, we had Finland versus the world in a best of three epic showdown.  There was Juha, Simon, and Jesse representing the white and blue, against Per, Richard, and myself.  Citro said he has never played before and let me say, it looked like it.  He shares his style and ball speed with my 87 year old grandmother.  I was worried he might not break the score of 50 without the aid of bumpers. However, I must say, he did improve quite bit, and managed to mix in a few strikes.  Sagge has got to be the most improved since the first day, and I am sure the pins tremble as they see him approach the line 60 feet away.  Simon claims to have not played much and would not be that good, but that was flat out a lie as he put together a very impressive first game.  Jeppe is very consistent and after having some troubles in the third game, managed to find his stroke with a simple fatherly tuck of his shirt. Kinu, the captain of Team Finland, lead by example and gave his team a chance in game 3 with a fine game.  But Team World proved to be too much and we won two games to one.

Man do I miss the food back home.  I would do anything for a double double animal style from in-and-out or burrito from Chipotle.  Finnish food is, well, unique.  And I have found some really good spots and dishes I really like.  I guess I just really miss food back home.  I have been trying to recreate some meals I have made back in my kitchen in the states but I am still unable to find all the ingredients necessary.  Not to toot my own horn, but I consider myself a fairly good chef.  And by good chef I mean I watch the food network a lot.  It is just hard sometimes not having what you are used to.  What I really need is an enchilada made by a Mexican or a big thick steak.  I will say this.  Finland has some really great chocolate.  I hope U.S. Customs does not bust me for the amount I am going to bring back to share with friends and family.

As I say goodbye, I want to leave with a terrible joke told my Mr. Jesse Saarinen. What did the fish say when he walked in the bar?…….Water!  Yeah, I didn’t laugh either.  I guess it is funnier in Finnish.

Sals
Yeah buddy

Tämä artikkeli on julkaistu maanantaina 31. lokakuuta 2011 kello 7:21 ja sen aiheena on Yleinen. Voit seurata tämän artikkelin vastauksia RSS 2.0 -virran avulla. Kommentointi ja pingback ovat suljettu.