Hat Trick

64/365

I'm late posting this one—too busy writing for money.

I had my own personal hat trick yesterday. Three high school hockey games covered in 8 hours. A game in Lewiston at 2 p.m. (Story No. 1) and games in Portland at 5 p.m. (Story No. 2) and 8 p.m. (Story No. 3). It was the playoffs, which added some excitement, but no real games to write home about. The 5 p.m. game was my fourth playoff game of the season, and after it ended, teams I had been covering had been outscored by a combined 20-1. Fortunately, the 8 p.m. game featured two teams in my coverage area and a bit closer a contest.

I thoroughly enjoy high school hockey. I get to know a few teams each season and there is something about watching, up close, the dynamics of a team sport that intrigues me. I was a runner in high school. Sure, there is a team aspect—we even won a state title—but the success of one athlete never truly depends on his or her teammates, with relays being the one exception.

Team sports take a trust I was never able to find. As a runner, no one else can let you down. The problem is, you're always running.