#32

17/365

The Rochester Special Hockey, members of Special Hockey International - a division of USA Hockey; is an organization that specializes in providing training in the game of ice hockey for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Sunday evening we had the pleasure of attending the Rochester Ice Cats first game of the season.  A dear friend's son is on the team so family and friends turned out in force to cheer them on! 

My attention was soon drawn to #32, the goalie on the rival team...Greece Lightning...yes really...best hockey team name EVER...

I didn't know his name (but found it by the wonders of Google!), I wouldn't be able to pick him out of a lineup- I never actually saw his face.  I just saw his heart... 

He spent quite a bit of time coaching young Matthew.  What they were discussing we'll never know.  Parents and friends speculated what their lengthy conversation was about...

Maybe Matthew wants to be a goalie and is getting some tips.  Not sure, but it sure was cute to watch...and then we got on with the game~

With Coach Tammy watching closely and cheering the kids on, the beginners took the ice with varying degrees of assistance (A-frame sleds, parents, siblings, coaches, lots of support offered for these future superstars)

There’s a scramble for the loose puck in front of the net…led by #15 Diego Santiago. Goalie Ryan Hooper is helpless against this outpouring of offense!
.

Stick save and a beauty to keep the game close!

Ice Cats Score!!! What a wrist shot from the short side of the net, the goalie never had a chance.

The Lightning resort to desperate measures, stacking up 4 deep in the net in a desperate attempt to stem the flow of Ice Cats offense.

Tie game, which can only mean one thing…bonus hockey! We’re going to a shootout!!!

Even the beginners get a chance to go one-on-one with the goalie. He shoots, he scores!!!

Another shootout goal to seal the victory for the Ice Cats! What a game!!!

The greatest tradition in sports…the handshake line. Good game…good game…good game.

With special thanks to my son, Adam Schreiber, for providing the fantastic play-by-play of the action, and photo credit to Heather Lawler-Santiago for the darling picture above of future hockey stars Diego and Matthew.  This is hockey at its' best!