The Second Time Around

It's an old adage in Hollywood:  the sequel is rarely as good as the first.  So when the veterans of the Ice Holes' 2009 expedition to the Northwoods of Wisconsin started buzzing about a return trip, there was certainly some concern that we could never live up to the wildly successful time we had in '09.  I mean, how in the world could we expect the weather to be so perfect once again?  And how could we even begin to hope to have so many fortuitous moments? Being interviewed for the local news (twice); watching guys in Ice Holes' jerseys launch themselves fifty feet in the air on snowmobiles; being awed at the simple majesty of the "Dome" - Eagle River's incredibly perfect ice rink.  So I'll readily admit there was a bit of doubt in my mind about heading back for a second time.  But as the registration opened for the 2010 tournament, and it was decision time, I realized something:  we had unfinished business up north.

For one thing, the Over 21 team was 0 for 3 in our games last year. And even though we had a blast just playing, somehow, it feels like we can do better. Call it the competitive side of me showing it's ugly (and very likely, untalented and delusional) head, but I really want at least one "W" for the record books. Something to hang our hat on. Something to put us on even ground with the Over 40 guys (who went 1-2). Something to raise our post-game beverages high and say, "We are the champions, my friends.", even if for one game.

But moreso than just the sense of unfulfilled, testosterone-driven competitiveness, we had a more important reason. Last year, there were several brothers in arms that were not able to make the trip, not the least of which was Jim. Jim ("Z-Man" aka "Z") has been an integral part of the Ice Holes team from the beginning.  He was the fifth player on the Over 40 team last year when, a little over a month before the trip, he had to have emergency eye surgery to repair a torn retina. The trauma and resulting surgery knocked him out of a chance to make the trip. Now, as a result of Jim's misfortune, we got to meet Kent L ("Other Kent", aka "OK"), who, playing as a trade-deadline acquisition, played a vital role to the Over 40 team's relative success. And while we enjoyed his company, and were grateful to OK for stepping in, all of us felt like someone was missing. So this trip will give us a chance to feel whole - complete, again. (Makes you just want to sing Kum-Ba-Ya, don't it?)

In addition to Z making the trip this year, we're bringing on a couple other guys that we campaigned hard for them to go last year:  Kenny ("Wino") and Phil ("Bank Shot"). We decided last year that playing 4 on 4 hockey with only one sub on the sideline was tough, so we are coming with two stacked teams of 6 this time around. We also get to move into an older division. With Doogie finally turning 30, we are going to try our hand at the Over 30 division.

So with eager anticipation, a bag full of stinky hockey gear and handwarmers, we stand on the threshold of yet another great Ice Holes adventure. I can't wait to see what fortune throws our way in our sophomore pond hockey season.

Yes, the ice beckons...