Big Bear Tournament

Last night we played a team from Hamilton, Ontario and lost 4/0. Arrived back at hotel around midnight, bed by 1. First game today against Sylvania, Ohio; we lost 5/1. Second game this evening against Tampa Bay, FL; we lost 3/1. Tomorrow will play for either last or second to last place in Dearborn - but we had kids thrown out of the tournament for fighting (see me sigh and shake my head), so we'll only have 10 players. I guess Harrison will get a lot of ice time and be exhausted. There he is in the middle of the picture (red jersey) in the game this evening against Tampa Bay. I'm pretty well burnt out on hockey at the moment, and especially not happy with coaching this fall - I know it's a dad volunteering because the "real" coach isn't allowed to coach until Halloween, but it's been ugly. I'm also tired of the overly aggressive play on our team and the fighting for the "real" coach to see play. This is just crazy and I don't believe high school kids should have to be this competitive and cut-throat in order to play a sport they love. I know a lot of parents would disagree with me and say things like "well, they have to learn about the real world sometime..." but I ask why now! I also doubt most adults ever work as hard at it as these kids are right now. I think it sets them up to see the world in a more jaundiced way and encourages them to learn cut-throat behaviors that may never be necessary in adult life. Well, enough bitching on my part! I better get to bed so I can drive from here (Ann Arbor) to Dearborn in the morning - well, later this morning I guess!