VB Hockey: Road Tripping

The team finished the weekend with three wins and one loss. Thursday’s opener started with a 6-1 win vs our 143 friends from Bishop’s College School. On Friday, in a well-played game, we dropped a close 7-5 decision to Upper Canada College but bounced right back on the weekend with 3-1 and 4-3 wins against Rothesay Netherwood School and host Ridley College.

As with all of our trips, we try to find ways to make it not all about hockey. A couple of study sessions kept our noses in the books, but as importantly we took some time to visit Niagara Falls. Did you know that in 50,000 years, erosion will cause Niagara Falls to disappear? As a teacher, and especially a teacher of geography, I do feel it is my job to seek out some cultural experiences as we travel. Seeing the falls but also seeing the number of people who were visiting the city on a beautiful fall Saturday was no doubt interesting for a group of boys who have now called Stanstead home for the last month. From the geology to the lights of Clifton Hill to good food, it was a wonderful evening as a group. The city itself was as busy as I have seen in years, and of course the wonder of the world that is Niagara Falls is always impressive to see.

On a number of occasions this weekend, starting at our first stop in Brockville, Ontario for lunch on Thursday, comments were made to the players and the coaches about the boys in their uniform. At times I think it could be easy to take for granted how the uniform looks to people who don’t live it every day, but it always makes me proud when people comment on how “nice,” “professional” or simply how well-dressed the team looks in their uniform. Wearing the uniform should always be a source of pride, having people from outside our school community feel that as we walk into a restaurant or off a bus is something that never gets old to me.