I coached with the Blackburn Singers Minor Hockey Association through many seasons, and really enjoyed the interaction with the players and fellow coaches. Playoff time is always exciting. This poem from 2019 attempts to capture the spirit and emotion of hockey season, and of those moments which are so special.
It’s play-off time in Stingers land
With cheers and clapping of many hands
The fans are arriving from near and far
Sipping Tim’s as they come in from their cars.
The rink is Ottawa’s coldest one
The wise fans wear hats, mitts and down
All around are frosty walls and cold air
In the stands its more than one can bear.
The teams get warmed up and focus on the game
The refs ask the coaches to keep it clean and tame
The buzzer sounds and players gather around the goal
They cheer “Go Stingers”; stirring the very soul.
The whistle blows as the teams get set to play hard and win
The referee drops the puck; and the game does begin
It’s back and forth; the battles are being both lost and won
The puck is flying everywhere; the players are having fun.
The Stingers have the puck; ready to move ahead
They pass in front of their net; and the light goes on red
With a slap of sticks and loud groans, they’re now down by one
They have to remember there’s nothing yet been lost or won.
It’s like the goal ignites the team as they step up the pace
The puck moves quicker up the ice; they’re in a brand new race
They’re in the O-zone with all the players moving and getting set
The D-man gets off a shot; it goes right in the net.
The crowd is going crazy, cheering the teams on by name
There is no question; the play-offs are not the same
The players give 100 percent but some are not nice
The ref blows the whistle; sending a couple off the ice.
The game is tied 1 to 1; only one minute remains
The pressure’s growing and all are going absolutely insane
The Stingers face some shots that their goalie saves
That was close but the Stingers are still standing brave.
The Stingers move the puck and a player breaks free
They have the puck; they get a shot; it’s off the goalie’s knee
There are seconds left with the goalie out of their net
With a reach back and a tap in, it’s a goal they’ll not forget.
The game is all over, this one chalked up as a win
The players are all exhausted but also wearing grins
There’s another game tomorrow; the end of season almost in sight
For now though, there is celebration in Stingers land tonight.