Another fucking loss.
I drift to center ice, chest heaving, and unstrap my helmet. All around us, fans exit the arena, heads down, energy sapped.
We let them down tonight.
Fuck, we let ourselves down.
My teammates head for the tunnel, and I join them, silently cursing my performance.
I had a wide shot in the second period that should’ve been a goal. And one in the third where I went high when I should’ve gone low.
This loss is on me. I should have done more. Played better.
That’s what good captains do. They find ways to win, even when it’s tough.
The weight of the loss settles over me, and for the first time in a long time, hockey doesn’t feel like an escape.
GLIDERS SKATE INTO LAST PLACE
The Atlanta Gliders fell to the Jets in a devastating 4-3 loss at Canada Life Center in Winnipeg on Saturday night. The loss leaves the Gliders 1-1-1 and puts them in a tie for last place in the division.
It’s certainly not the start fans expected, but despite the devastating OT loss, Coach Carlyle remains optimistic about the future.
“When you’ve got a lot of young players like we do, it takes time for a team to gel, but we’ll get there, and then you’re going to see great things from us. We’re not happy with our current record, but we’re going to continue working hard and hopefully, we can shore up our defense and turn things around. We’re just grateful to have the support of the fans and the organization.”
The team showed promise with rookie Conor McGinnis scoring early in the second period off an assist from Nikita Fedorov. The goal signaled a momentum shift for the Gliders, and shortly after, defenseman Hunter Harding forced a turnover that led to a breakaway goal. McGinnis scored againin the third period to tie it up 3-3, sending the game into overtime.
Jets captain, Bobby MacLean, answered the call, slipping a muffin past Gliders’ goalie, Ethan Bouchard, at 5:23 of overtime, bringing the game to an end and handing the Gliders another defeat.
Only time will tell if this team can drag themselves out of last place, but we can’t deny there have been sparks of greatness. If the Gliders can perform more consistently, they have the skill to become a powerhouse team.
Despite the devastating OT loss, there was one bright spot in the evening: Chippy. The Gliders’ mascot stole the show with a new dance routine that had fans in the Treehouse riled up, and others pointing out that Chippy is the only Glider who appears to be having fun on the ice these days.
Comments (122)
ChippyStan:Chippy’s got better moves than half the guys on the team.
OldAsPuck:Bouchard has more excuses than saves. Time to give Cunningham a shot.
GlidersGlazer:In McGinnis we trust! The kid’s got a filthy shot. Now if we could just get a few ginos from the rest of the team…
StnlyTroll:Kristiansen is overpaid and under-delivering! He’s not adding shit to the second line.
GlidersMemes:Turns out, being a Gliders fan is not for the weak.
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AVA
The porcelain toiletgleams under the bright lights of the bathroom as I aggressively scrub the stubborn pink ring that. Just. Won’t. Quit. It’s like the darn thing is painted on. Still, it feels good to get my frustration out.
I give the brush another good shove, and to my horror, it slips into the deepest part of the bowl, splashing water all over the front of my sweatshirt.
Because of course it does.
I tip my head back and silently curse the universe, toilet brushes, and whoever lived here before me and didn’t deign to clean properly.
I turn to put the stupid brush back in its stand and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My sweatshirt is soaked and my hair is falling out of its braid. Definitely not my best look.