Hey t, do you play forward or defense......and I can't tell exactly from the one action photo how many of you guys are wearing cages (or visors). But assuming that's up to the individual, it sounds like a lot of personal risk to play as old(er) timers without facial protection.
Also.....and (I think) you know I've never played the game.....do I see there are no goaltenders, and that you're shooting though a board ?? I assume shooting through a slot largely forces everyone to dial back, hence making the game safer for all. Plus, I presume not too many rec players are dying to invest in (or haul around) goalie equipment, new OR used, to begin with.
It is 3 on 3 and a max of 6 per team. So essentially 2 lines of 3. No real D or Forward positions. In this game you usually circle around changing positioning looking for an opening.
One thing we did come up with to try which seemed to have great success during the first two games was bouncing it off the low boards skating out of our zone any time a player was on their off wing (which happens an awful lot in this tourney with the quick rotation line or player changes), that guy had to turn awkward every time, which bought us MANY 3 on 2 or 3 on 1 opportunities. The last game it worked as well however the opposition's passing was simply too good. Tape to tape every time and with lots of velocity on it.
Ya no goalies in this particular brand of the game, just that low slot about 3 ft by 4 or 5 inches high. And yes the goal is to keep the puck down, although some clowns like the first game really cant seem to control themselves.
I'd estimate about 1/2 of all players go just helmet, another 25% with the half shield like I wear and the rest with the full cage. I guess some just hate the shield cause of the (often) fog ups when it's that cold out. I value my eyesight quite a bit and witness to the fact I actually did get butt ended directly in the shield yesterday, when battling for a puck, so as you can imagine I'm thankful I had it on.
All in all a really good day yesterday. Considering the weather. By the time the 2nd game at 11 came around it felt much warmer. Us mid forties hacks managed to keep up to and beat 2 of 3 teams in their early to mid thirties which is awesome. Pretty damn close to a quarter final appearance as well had we pulled out the last one.
Yup essentially it is. Lots of teams this year travelling in for it from all over the damn place...many of em seem to run the circuit around Ontario and Quebec/Maritimes. I heard we had one there from New Brunswick yesterday and I think the winner was a team outta Ottawa.
Oh and I'm really not sure how many beers I had yesterday? Between at the brewery and the crew back here at home afterward...I bought 2 24's of extra tall cans and there was ONE left when I got up this morning, so I'm sure I had a hand in a number of them lol.
