I remember when I was younger I was a few years removed from competitive hockey - my role was something I’ve alluded to previously and it wasn’t to put pucks in the net (tho, dammit, I popped 88 my final year).
Anyway - the only place to go after junior was the local beer leagues. Some are decently competitive with some former pros, etc. lots of European, ECHL, etc.
Including tough guys - this one night the buzz in the arena is this kid Ryan Oatway was just released from his club where he was a fairly well known scrapper and was suiting up in the beer league starting that night. We were the opposing team.
Instantly I was dealing with guys on my team who wanted me to ask him for one because I was known in my own circles as a guy who could hold his own - side note, if you’re ever in that unique situation don’t encourage guys - can’t speak for all but man I hated it. Fighting is scary.
Buuuuuuut, sometimes my heart gets the better of my brain. Me and Ryan are out there for our first shift together and I felt overcome by the energy of it all - blurted out “you’re giving me one” without thinking it through.
I survived it - in fact, I buckled his knees (which made him….smile, yikes) - but my mouth really got me into trouble because my control was lacking in the moment.
The point? Neely’s response today made me feel things similar to that fateful day early in my beer league days.
I really hope I’m wrong.