PatrickDiCaprio.com

We played in the hockey playoffs last night and unfortunately we lost 6-5 to AAA Advantage. It was a tough game and we played well, they just out skated us in the end. Here’s a quick recap:

They came out fast and scored 2 goals in the first 28 seconds of the game on a few very aggressive face off plays. Once we got the hang of their speed and passing, we were able to put in a goal of our own near the end of the first period. They started off the 2nd period with another quick goal, which we combated shortly after with a wrap around and a rebounder to tie the game at 3-3. They took the lead again late in the period on a power play. In the 3rd period, we tied the score again on a short handed goal. They answered back shortly with their 5th and 6th goals. We brought the score back to 6-5 with about 3 minutes left in the game, but the scoring opportunities shrank in the last minutes as they started playing keep away instead of hockey. With about a minute left, one of our guys got a penalty and we had to pull the goalie just to be at even strength. We had a few good shots, but their goalie stuffed us on every one as the seconds counted down to zero.

Unfortunately our loss means our season is at an end. This was most likely the last game I will ever play with this Clayton team as it looks like the company probably won’t be sponsoring a team next year, mainly because they have recently laid off almost everyone that has played for our team. I was talking to one of the other captains a few weeks ago, and it looks like they have room for me on their roster for the summer. It’ll be weird playing with a totally different group of guys. The season starts next week, so I guess we’ll see.

So I ventured back onto the river yesterday for my second og many kayak trips this summer. It was a beautiful afternoon to do so. The river was lined with fishermen all over the place. One even offered me a beer while I was paddling by, which I politely turned down. I figured I would dehydrate myself enough before I was done anyways. I was not the only one out as I saw 4 other kayaks amidst the other river traffic of boats and jet ski’s. I only crossed paths with one of the kayaks I saw, and the old man in it didn’t really have any intension of striking up a conversation.

This time I chose to paddle downstream although you couldn’t really tell with the tide coming in from the sound as well as the wind blowing up river. I paddled all the way down to a little inlet near the Riverside Cemetery. There was an old abandoned tanker there that looks like it has been there longer than I have been alive. I’m pretty sure the only way you could see it is if you are on the river. I would have never know it was there otherwise.

I wanted to go further, at least past the little marina I could see down river, but I was getting hungry so I decided to turn around. Heading back was much faster. I wasn’t really fighting a current and I had the wind to my back. All I had to worry about was the wake generated from the other river traffic. Most people were very considerate, keeping their distance. There was this one pair of jet ski’s that came very close to me several times. Luckily, I know enough about paddling to not get tipped by their wake.

About half way back, I stopped and pulled out for a few minutes on a large rock formation. It was nice to just sit back and enjoy nature for a few minutes. I can’t remember the last time I actually did that. Feeling rested and relaxed, I got back on the river. I got back, loaded up the kayak on my new Thule rack (which made it 10 times easier to transport), and made my way home. I had just finished putting away all my equipment, when a group of thunderstorms hit the area. Just good timing I guess.

I’ve got a busy week ahead, so I probably won’t be able to get out again until Friday. If anyone want s to come along, just let me know.

So we took the ice last night for the first round of the league playoffs last night. We finished the season in 7th place out of 8 teams, mostly due to lack of participation at the games. I think once in the last 5 games we had more than 8 guys show up.

We came out victorious, defeating the #2 seed Bear and Grill with a score of 3-1. We had a squad of 11 guys and played extremely well. Their goalie was the only thing saving them from our barrage of shots. Without him, it would have been a blowout. They seemed frantic on the ice for most of the game as we out skated, out passed and out shot them.

As a result, we are slated to play the #5 seed AAA Advantage Monday @ 10:30 in the semifinals. We lost to them 2-1 in our first meeting this season, and then tied 3-3 before losing the shootout in our second meeting. In both cases our team was extremely short handed. I know in our last meeting we had 6 guys to their 15 and we controlled most of the game. They really only have one offensive weapon, which we have been able to neutralize in the past. With a full squad, we should easily take them down and move to the finals.

If you don’t have anything to do, come on down and watch. It should be a good time.

So Friday I went out an purchased a kayak for myself. I ended up Wilderness Systems Pamlico 100. I am quite happy with it. It took me a little while to get it loaded up when I was leaving Dick’s as apparently my car does not have an adequate spot to tie it down in the front. I was able to get it home safely. Once I got it unloaded, I went down to buy a Thule rack for my car to carry the kayak, my ski’s, or anything really. unfortunately, the parts needed were not all in stock so I had to order them. They should be here sometime this week.

Saturday, I spent a few hours cleaning up the garage which is something I have been meaning to do for a while anyways. I threw out a bunch of junk, cleaned up the walls a bit and installed a rack I bought for the kayak in place of the crappy old peg board and shelves that were falling off. In the process I did find a quite old handle of Bacardi. I’m not sure how old exactly, but the bottle has a wicker wrapping around it and the cork in the neck of the bottle was disintegrating pretty well. If anyone wants to tell me if the booze is still good or not, you are more than welcome.

Once the rain stopped, I mean up with my buddy Sean to try out the kayak. We put in underneath the Commodore Hull Bridge and went up the river to the dam and back. The whole trip took us a little over an hour. Here is a map of the route taken. Even though it was overcast the river was quite peaceful and enjoyable. I can’t wait til next weekend when I can head out for a little longer. Hopefully the weather will be a bit nicer. If anyone has a kayak and wants to go out, just let me know.

So I’ve been looking a way to just get away for a while lately, but nothing has really worked for me. One of my friends has a kayak and keeps telling me how fun and relaxing it is. I used to go out on the water in them as a kid at camp and did enjoy it then. Maybe it’s just what I need. I could definitely see myself going out for a few hours after days like today at work.

If I decide to pull the trigger on this, it will probably be on my day off Friday so I can make full use of it Saturday. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions of what to buy, please let me know. I’ll probably spend hours researching it before i buy, but I like to hear what others think about things too.