Bittersweet...

So, to end Middle Kid's hockey season they held their home hockey tournament.  They would have 3 games and the two teams with the highest point value would go to the championship.  We tied our first game, lost the second one in a close match, and then won the third one BIG time.  That was a big key.  We had 8 1/2 points.  Another team had 8 1/2 points.  UH OH.  They go to tie breakers.  We tied that team.  Uh Oh.  We go to goal differential... YES... that was were are big win came into play.  We had +4, the other team +1.  So after some conferencing and checking score sheets it was announced.  Our boys would be in the Championship.

The tournament was named after a young father who was a big part of the rink.  He passed away unexpectedly at 44.  I know his wife, his son, his sister, nephew...well you understand...hockey is a lot of the same people.  The Championship game started with a brief story about this man and his love of hockey and his love of kids.  Then we were reminded that his nephew would be officiating the game.  A brief wave of emotion rolled.  Then it was on to the National Anthem.  The boys 32 all together stood there, with sticks in their left hands and right hands across their hearts.  It was beautiful and peaceful. 

And the puck dropped.  Action packed this game was.  We were up 1-0 at the end of the first.  Down 2-1 at the end of the second.  And at the end of regulation tied 2-2.  Overtime it was.  We didn't get too far into overtime before the other team had the puck and were on a breakaway.  On of our forwards was trying to catch him.  He had his stick between the kids legs and all was within the rules.  And then... the other kid lost the puck he overskated it.  But our forward didn't realize it.  He hit the puck.  He scored the winning goal in overtime for the other team.  He dropped to his knees in tears.  The other team rushed to the ice.  They swarmed their player.  Our team, dejected, skated out with their heads held low. 

They properly shook hands and stood through awards.  Quietly they got undressed and went to their parent's cars.  Middle Kid sat down in the truck.  Looked at Head Honcho and cried.  He wanted this.  He knew the season is over.  He knew that that was the last time he will step on that ice with those kids.  He loved playing with some of those kids.  He had such a great year in so many ways.  He also had so many issues and so many setbacks that now he is in limbo. 

I didn't want this season to end because I didn't want to make the decisions we are being forced to make.  However, I want to make the decisions and be done with it.