One of my co-ed leagues had our first play-off game last night. As we're sitting on the sidelines waiting for the game before us to finish, someone says, "Hey, do I remember correctly that Brian isn't going to be here?"
S - H - I - T.
Brian is our goalie. And a good one at that. When Brian is gone, we all look at each other, trying to guess who's going to get the short straw. Last night it was me.
I don't mind playing in net every once in a while, but play-off games are dreadful because if you tie, there is no overtime in this league. You go straight to shoot-outs.
Yes. You're right. We tied. We went straight to shoot-outs.
Shoot-outs are a horrible way to win or lose a game. Someone who can normally fire the ball with laser accuracy folds under pressure and shoots high or wide. (See Baggio, Roberto: star Italian forward shanks penalty kick in '94 World Cup final, Brazil wins.)
I managed to stop one shot that was hit softly and straight at me, but a couple of our shooters choked under pressure and missed the net.
They're fired. Next play-off game I'm letting all the defenders take the PKs. No one expects us to hit the net anyway.
Posted by Cathy at July 21, 2004 07:53 AM