THE HOCKEY COACH

The championship game will soon begin; next Sunday at noon on  ESPN.  State is the favorite, but we are the best.  The upcoming meeting will put us all to the test.

Then last Saturday night everything went South.  Our best player, our goalie, and star; got hit on the head with a pickle jar!  Two front teeth were broken, one eye swollen shut and he is wearing a collar like
some dog shelter mutt.

This unexpected challenge has caused coach Benadella a persistent headache and humongous dilemma.  His only recruit that can fill the role with experience is a freshman dream: last year's captain
of her high school field hockey team.

With his blood pressure monitor glued to his wrist, and fingers aching from two tight fist-ed fists; he has been thinking and drinking lots of coffee these past couple of nights.  Finally; at last, he has come to grips with the task of forming a strategy.

He delivered his pep talk to one and all.  For his new goalie Heather there was something to tell her, something special for her ears alone.

Just before she twirled off to her spot. He put one hand on her shoulder, one hand on his knee.  In her ear, he whispered: “Now listen to me.”  With his finger, he pointed and said: “You are the goalie and there is our net.  If you do what I tell you, we may win yet.”

“Stay in front of the goal and don't fuss with your hair!  And with all of your flair keep the puck out of there!”