October 22, 2022 9p – Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Horned Broncos 3 – 5

Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com/oss-scoresheet?game_id=24433&mode=display
Video Replay: https://youtu.be/w1um8O_bjsw goals at 24:40, 28:50 and 57:11

Feeling confident after we won our opener against the Broncos, we took to the ice in search of win #2. We didn’t have Ryan Reed in net this time, but holy crap, did Shae show up and show out for us! He faced 47 shots on goal, only letting 5 past him. We had far fewer shots (9), but we made the most of them, putting the puck in the net 3 times.

Despite the huge number of shots on goal, this was probably one of our better defensive games. Forwards swapped back when defense went deep in the offensive zone, and several players made key blocks by sacrificing the body. This score could have been so much worse.

October 15, 2022 7p – Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink
Nemesis vs. Muscle Hamsters 12 – 2

Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com/oss-scoresheet?game_id=24292&mode=display
Video Replay: None, yet. Will update here when it’s done. Sorry

October 16, 2022 4:45p – Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink
Bandits vs. Muscle Hamsters 7 – 3

Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com/oss-scoresheet?game_id=24665&mode=display
Video Replay: None, yet. Will update here when it’s done. Sorry

Okay, so maybe I’ve been procrastinating on getting this uploaded because these were a couple really tough losses, where we were never really in the hunt. We only had 8 people on the roster for the 15th, and those folks were pretty gassed already when we showed up to play on the 16th.

Still, our lines are starting to gel, and many of us are learning fundamental strategies for our positions (usually by making a big mistake that leads to an opposing goal).

October 8, 2022 8:30p – Tacoma Twin Rinks – South Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Polar Bears 1-1

Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com/oss-scoresheet?game_id=24289&mode=display

Video replay: https://youtu.be/_8fTInIToxk (goal at 1:04:20)

October 9, 2022 10:15p – Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink
Voodoo Puckers vs. Muscle Hamsters 8 – 3

Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com/oss-scoresheet?game_id=24560&mode=display

Video replay: Not recorded. 🙁

What a weekend! On the Saturday the 8th, We returned to the ice, feeling good after our big win in our opener. We skated a bit better than our previous game, holding the Polar Bears scoreless until only a minute left in the 2nd period. It looked like we might suffer our first loss, when Kevin scored with about 5 minutes left in the game, and on the ensuing face-off, it looked like we might get another goal, but alas, we tied it at 1.

So, we all had a nice long rest… for about 24 hours! The next night we were back, this time for a late game at 10:15 against the Voodoo Puckers. And, well, we kinda ran into a buzz saw. They were faster and better organized than we were. There were a few times they got a breakaway behind our defense, and Shae did everything he could, but odds favor the attacking player at most levels. A couple of their players were just too good, scoring the maximum 3 goals. Still, even though it was a tough one, this was a learning experience, and the worst day playing hockey is still better than the best day sitting on the couch watching it (which is still better than most other days 🙂 ).

October 1, 2022 7:30 – Tacoma Twin Rinks – North Rink
Muscle Hamsters vs. Horned Broncos 2 – 1

Game Stats: https://stats.ttr.timetoscore.com/oss-scoresheet?game_id=24422&mode=display

Video replay: https://youtu.be/dp7QIhcrnvY (goals at 58:39 and 1:08:14)

We had only had one real practice, and that without an actual coach (Derek was a big help, though!). We’d never really scrimmaged. We hadn’t defined positions or lines. Our goalie and backup goalie couldn’t make it to the game. We had to borrow jerseys because ours hadn’t arrived yet. Some of the team members hadn’t even met each other.

We were up against a tough team for our division, but we had Ryan Reed in net behind us, and we pulled out a big WIN for our inaugural game!

There was a lot of chaos out on the ice, but we moved the puck reasonably well, held the offensive zone really well (we edged them 33-30 in SOG), and committed very few offsides, which is rare for such an inexperienced team.

Most of all, I think everyone had a really great time. Personally, I was so amped up, I was ready to play another game!

Our next game is October 8 against the Polar Bears.