With the instructional league starting in less than a month, I've tried to get in as much ice time as possible.  I am a firm believer that the goalie should be one of the better skaters on the team.  And with this firmly in mind I trudge across town to find some quality ice, because the only ice you'll find in Oak Cliff is only found floating in someone's drink.

I found myself out at the Iceoplex in Addison.   Mainly for three reasons:

• I didn't feel like battling traffic at the Galleria.
• The rink at Prestonwood is closed
• I'm still too intimidated by the Starscenter to skate on it's ice.

I got in a really good workout with a guy who was taking lessons there.  He introduced me to the demon that is the "shoulder fake."  Don 't know what that is?  Ask someone who plays.  Anyway,  I found a deficient area in my skating, that being my lateral movement.  With the help of the other skater, I worked on my lateral movement until my legs were wobbly.  It made me wonder what it's gonna be like once I start playing.

I shudder to think. I envision taking shot after shot and hope my legs don't call it quits on me.  The  way I see it, the team is counting on me to show up every night.   Some nights, maybe I'll just sit back in the crease with a sign on me that says, "In case of odd-man rush, break glass."  But, I'm sure, most nights I'll be called on to put out fires all over.  For me, I can't afford to show up and not be ready.  It's more than just winning and losing, it's a matter of pride.  Sure, I might not be the best there is, but I'm damn sure gonna try.

Could someone please tell that to the Stars.

"Get out the A-1 sauce, I'm done."