Penalty?

I have been on hockey skates since the age of 3. I am extremely competitive when it comes to anything sports related. I am not the most gifted and talented player, but I am one of the most aggressive which makes me very valuable. When a coach requests a player to do something I am always the first one on the task. Since I am not the most talented player at hockey I don’t score often and don’t get many assists. I play extremely physically and shift the momentum of the game when needed. My coaches and teammates know me as “The Enforcer” which means a player that doesn’t get a lot of playing time but knows how to set the tone by showing leadership and playing physical.

My high school hockey team had a rivalry game with the York Wildcats that took place at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn Maine. It was a physical 2-2 game late in the 3rd period. We were desperate for a power play because our power play was very dangerous. We were hemmed in our defensive zone and I got crosschecked to the back of the head by a York forward and my helmet completely came off. The ref blew the whistle and there was a stoppage in play. I assumed the ref blew the whistle to call a crosscheck on #15 from York. I was looking around to make sure #15 was going to the penalty box but I saw him skating back to his team bench. I talked with the on ice official asking “Why is that not a penalty?” I asked the official in a respective manner and he replied with “Your helmet straps are too loose.” Before every game our equipment manager inspects all of our teams gear and puts it up in our own stall. I felt stupid after asking the question because I remembered I had new straps put on my helmet and I forgot to size them to my helmet. I was in shock because my coach yelled at me to fix my helmet rather than debating with the official about the initial call. I felt even more stupid that my coach wasn’t even on my side. You know you are in the wrong when your coach isn’t even on your side. This completely ruined my role of being “the enforcer” because I don’t take any crap from anyone and I am known to give people crap.

We went on to losing the game to the York Wildcats on a goal in overtime. Conor Fell was the particular player’s name that scored the game winner. He is also the one that cross-checked me in the back of the head. After the season ended the senior Class B All-star rosters came out and I saw that both Conor and I were both on the Class B All-star team. The Class B All-star team had a game vs the Class A All-star team. Conor and I were on the same line and it was very awkward because we both know each other very well just not in a very good way. While playing with Conor it was very awkward but we actually made a very good line. We learned how to play with each other and forget about the past and have fun for our last ever competitive hockey game. The Class B All-star team tied the Class A All- star team 4-4. It was a lot of fun to compete with all of the players throughout the state of Maine that were selected to play. It was an honor to play in the 2025 All-star game. In the locker room Conor and I shook each other’s hand and complemented each other and wished each other the best of luck on each other’s next journey. After talking to Conor about each other’s next journey I said “remember that time you cross-checked me in the back of the head.” Conor replied laughing “I don’t know how I didn’t get a penalty for that.” We were both laughing hysterically. I am glad I got to meet Conor even though we didn’t have the best history we made things work and had a lot of fun and made a lot of memories.

“Hockey sur Glace – Ligue Magnus – Boxers de Bordeaux – Diables Rouges de Briançon, Bordeaux (France), Patinoire Meriadeck, 2021.10.15” by Laurentrekk Photographies is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.