VICTORY for the Men of Steel!

Well, readers, I know both of you have been on pins and needles, wondering whether my husband ended up playing in his hockey game and what in the Sam Hill is the latest on his injured rib actually it feels so much better so I’m playing in the game, kthanxbye.

I am thrilled to announce that, in an intense nail-biter this evening, the manly Men of Steel swatted the pesky Killer Bees once again, in a 4-2 win that gives them the D-league Old Guy Amateur Hockey Championship of the Free World. (See photo at bottom of post.) I would love to report a detailed play-by-play, but alas, I spent most of the game wondering where my three-year-old was and were his older brothers aware that he had wandered into the lobby area and could be plotting his escape, or maybe he is methodically opening the condiment packets over by the snack bar, or even better, playing in the men’s room toilets or urinals or whatever it is you men have in those rooms of yours.

As you can see, I was a bit distracted. But I was not unable to follow the score. (In fact, I was also not unable to follow the Washington Capitals score. Multitasking at its finest.) This was a classic, come-from-behind match that had all the drama and feel-good subplots of an ABC After-School Special. (Helpful link included on the outside chance that anyone born since 1980 happens to find this post.) But seriously – the KBs sent the puck into the net a mere nine seconds after the first faceoff, and scored another goal before the Men of Steel mustered all their superpowers and came flying back with superhuman zeal to defeat their archenemy opponent. (That sounds like a comic book, doesn’t it? Note to self – add to the Dated Reference Primer list: 1- comic books, and 2 – ABC After-School Special.)

Where was I? Distracted… Superheroes… ah yes, the hockey game. Seriously, folks – this team earned this title. They had a great season and maintained their intensity throughout the winter and down the home stretch. And their cohesiveness is due in no small part to the efforts of players like My Husband, who, despite pain that made him gasp, chose to take a Tufferin and quit bitching and, for the good of the team, play when it mattered most.

To paraphrase one reader’s comment, you will only regret not having tried to play. And my husband not only tried, he put forth a great effort throughout the game, and I know it makes him feel good to have achieved his goal of not letting his team down. He knows his bones will heal eventually, but there’s only one championship game.

In fact, I have been pondering my recent post about his reluctance to seek medical attention for his injury. While I still think he should have it checked out, I see now, thanks to the thoughtful comments of several readers, that playing on a sports team is in large part all about not disappointing your teammates. It’s important to be reliable and to be there to play when you say you’ll be there. As you have learned about me, I just don’t have the team sports gene. (Or, apparently, the ability to discern appropriate dress for social situations.) I do enjoy singing in groups both small and large, and in that context, I get it, but from a sports team perspective, not so much. (And now we see why it really is best that I stuck with music instead of continuing to torture myself by attempting to play team sports in high school.)

And that, loyal readers, is why it’s such a good thing my husband is My Husband. We complement each other in this way, and in so many others. And, as a team of two? We share a desire to never disappoint each other. I suppose that after nearly 15 years of marriage, this serves as a good reminder that that’s what it’s all about.

…And just as soon as he gets home from the hockey team victory celebration at the closest bar, I will be sure to tell him that.