With the exception of the first period, it was obvious we were still working to overcome the effects of an extended vacation. The score of the game does not correctly reflect the quality of our play. Although we won, the puck did seem to 'bounce our way' an inordinate number of times. The subtle changes to our forecheck seemed to work in the first period, when all had their 'legs'. This was encouraging. After the first however, our play gradually deteriorated. Our short passing game, our responsibilities on our breakout patterns, and our forecheck should remain our focus in the weeks leading up to the tournament. In spite of a less than thrilling performance, a win is a win is a win -- and we'll take it. The positive, unselfish attitude of all players and the leadership of our ninth grade remains outstanding. Everyone seems to know what 'it's all about'!

We all have an interior 'comfort zone' that we want to be in. Picture a good club golfer playing Jack Nicklaus. His self-image is probably that he is a good golfer, but not good enought to beat Nicklaus. If he beats Nicklaus, he would be uncomfortable with the demands of his new self-image. So he does whatever he can to get back in that comfort zone, even if it means missing a two-foot putt on the 18th green.

In sailing, an average sailor who gets ahead of Lowell North or Dennis Connor in an important series will most likely do something careless in order to get behind. But once he gets behind he'll stick like glue, not losing another foot. You see people like this in every fleet. They are very hard to beat at the local level, but once at a major championship, they simply can't picture themselves winning. -- Dennis Connor