WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – WINNIPEG (A)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – SAINT PAUL (PART D) in July, 2016.]

The Selects came into this game against the talent loaded WHA Winnipeg Jets on a two game losing streak. That put the travelling squad’s record of two victories and three losses so far on this tour with a long way still to go. Anyway, it was still a better record than some hockey people, not associated with the Selects, expected. Most expected the barn-storming team to lose and lose badly all of their games up to this point. Plus, it is expected that Mekkar’s team would pile up more defeats for their remaining matches versus the North American professional clubs they still would face.

Mekkar also noticed that when his team first arrived in the Manitoba province his team was pretty beat up physically. It was from the mugging they received in a couple of past matches so far. Mekkar suffered more during that last contest than most of his teammates.

However, he had been looking forward to being a part of this matchup. Mekkar was not about to miss his expected shift responsibilities in this game. Even despite the Selects’ staff’s desire to keep him from the lineup because of prior head trauma. As a result of having his head driven into the boards and punched repeatedly before this game.

The young arctic man wanted to observe the blending, as he called it, firsthand with his own eyes. He was there to judge for himself if this was the wave of the future and his own place in it. That is, facing off against a truly international team with players from a host of different nations. Mekkar had heard about its success in winning with this strategy. Still he alone in his mind could really determine if this mixing did work well in the real world. [Wikipedia; billsportsmaps.com; Playing Hockey The World Over… - wha.htm; whahockey.com] He was about to receive a definite answer to his questions that resounded inside his head. Yet, it would not be anything like he anticipated.

Due to late collapse in the second match before this one and the intimidating thrashing put on the Selects in the last one, the whole squad got blistered and reamed out by the head coach. He was merciless too, even including the netminders recent lacking performances. Mekkar disagreed with part of it and was of the opinion that the goalies had played much better than the rest of the squad as a whole. He just thought that they were under siege throughout and kept the games from being embarrassing blowouts as forecasted.

Mekkar deems that it is a good thing every so often for players to get called out by the coaching staff. Especially if the individuals are not executing up to par. Despite the common practice of carrying out criticism behind closed doors; Mekkar feels that if it has to be done in a public forum, so be it. To him this tactic should be done judiciously and should give incentives to strive for improved performance. Not only that, be a motivating factor to drive him and others to produce better on the ice in whatever area is needed.

That doesn’t mean to say that he enjoys the method and does not guarantee he will not get ticked off about it. Usually to him, the normal procedure with the first step of handling the issue internally and at the team level has already been passed at that point. The public rebuke is the next level in the inducement progression because the previous strategy did not produce the tangible results desired.

He feels that the current coddling of these million dollar plus salaried athletes, excluding the money made from endorsements, wouldn’t fly back in his day. There were only a few making a million dollars then. That would be Bobby Hull. He doesn’t count the Derek Sanderson Philadelphia Blazers situation because it didn’t last long enough. Mekkar was now trying to prepare to face The Golden Jet (Bobby Hull) in the next matchup.

The youngster is of the opinion that many of today’s spoiled, wealthier, and increasing out of touch from the fans athletes have become softer mentally and psychologically. Don’t forget the way too sensitivity to any criticism aimed at them. He deems it is part of a reflection of a degradation of society in these areas. In Mekkar’s mind the media is so much more prevalent today and in everyone’s business especially with regard to public figures. He is including paparazzi in that assessment. 

There are trade offs. Mekkar has thought the athletes of the current time couldn’t handle the all gloves treatment of star players from yesteryear. Most of them had to defend themselves also well maybe excluding Wayne Gretzky and very few others. Mekkar says, “The protected superstars of today could flee to the area that seems to have more months of winter than any other season to be safer but the pay would be a lot less.”

This brings about another quandary of Mekkar’s beliefs. He states bluntly, “Anyone who advocates taking fighting out of pro or junior ice hockey does not know the game all that well. It doesn’t matter where those people reside. Those players who had protectors on the ice to fight on your behalf for the majority of your battles know who they are. Their opinions and statements in the press on this issue do not count and should be ignored.” Mekkar goes on to say directly, “That they should shut their trap because they are too breakable!”

Furthermore he goes on to mention that most current fans and current athletes are unaware of the history of their sport. There is not a consideration and a lack of knowledge of various innovations and equipment advances made thus affecting main contributor’s production. Fans compare statistics of athletes from clashing eras with little, if any, examination of different rule changes to enhance scoring and reduce physicality. The historical environment influences and contrasting field conditions of those matches were important too. Various athletes were considered stars in their own time for reasons that cannot be described enough to others who only watch the games. One had to play during that time to really understand.

It ticks people off when Mekkar states unapologetically, “That athletes had to be much more resolute in the past. Frankly, because they were considered more easily replaceable. The majority of people currently are totally unable to relate to this concept. There was the absence for the most part of the big money too!” He continues on, “Dick Butkus would be considered too mean and intimidating to play in the NFL of 2016. His ferociousness would not even be allowed on the field now.” [youtube.com/watch?v=ywLftmEtOsY; bleacherreport.com/articles/188642-nfl-legends-dick-butkus] 

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAINT PAUL (D)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – SAINT PAUL (PART C) in July, 2016.]

Mekkar has a sports and other realm philosophy that is contrary to conventional wisdom. It is also in the spirit of American military general George S. Patton. Mekkar states matter of factly, “Don’t take what the defense gives you, and instead take what you want! How you want! Then, take it all on to victory!” Added to that concept he is also convinced that Sun Tzu’s strategies are vastly overrated and out of touch with the modern world.

Anyway, that evening’s match got underway and by its conclusion The Selects were handedly defeated six to three. Unfortunately, the Selects as a team failed to follow Mekkar’s advice to dictate the temp of this game and lost. Afterwards, Mekkar felt like he was in a fog resulting from, what he believed was a continual slug fest. Him and Lasse were the only ones seeming to be always in the mix of combative battle scraps during the match against the likes of Jack and Steve Carlson, Dave Hanson, Gordie “Machine Gun” Gallant, Curt Brackenbury, Bill Butters, etc.

Even what Mekkar lacked in size in comparison to most players, he was a gamer and his heart was not ever questioned. His sanity was a different matter altogether. Mekkar concluded he held his own on a few occasions in the night’s encounters and refused to be intimidated by any man unlike most of the Selects roster. Plus, he always felt that he had a punchers’ chance because his paws could exert great force and do serious damage due to past training by him.

However, Mekkar took the worst of it in his last fight of the game for him. He got bloodied for his efforts on that one. By that time the score was pretty much decided in favor of the home side. Mainly because most of the Mekkar’s team was thoroughly dispirited by the WHA’s version of the Board Street Bullies - the Fighting Saints (Of course not including Birmingham), and the opponent’s moniker fit perfectly. [Wikipedia; billsportsmaps.com; whahockey.com; markwilland.typepad.com/whablog/fights_and_brawls/index.html; hockey.ballparks.com/WHA/MinnesotaSaints/index.htm] Mekkar was of the opinion that the nasty nature of this game is the reason why the Selects got whipped as a team on this night.

In his last tussle Mekkar after wrestling for position while standing upright on his skates was unable to tie-up his fellow combatant’s jersey or arms. The native youngster was slightly being pushed off-balance with the grab hand. In that instance, Gallant hit The Arctic Warrior so many times in rapid succession that it resembled a machine gun. Yes, it takes more energy and is harder than it looks to fight for prime position, balance, and throw fists at the same time. Plus, Mekkar was worn down near the end of the third period. This could be readily seen by some wild punches thrown by him that uncharacteristically missed the mark – the head of the opponent.

After the fracas was broken up on the ice by the linesman and referee, Mekkar struggled to get to his feet. Alf described it as kind of a wobbled or staggered stance as his older brother skated back to the bench with help. Then, The Native from The North also needed his teammates to help him to the Locker Room. Notwithstanding, even in the punch-drunk state he was in, Mekkar was still wanting to tango again, if necessary. He usually always was ready to go, that is to fight, brawl, etc. with anyone anywhere at a moments notice. A couple of his Selects’ teammates and staff advised the stubborn Mekkar not to go back out and engage in another round of fista-cuffs. Expressly, since he got his butt handed to him in the last go around and hit the back of his helmeted head as both belligerents fell to the ice at the end of the scuffle. Mekkar’s night was over as time soon ran out while he was in the locker room.

Maybe it was a good thing that the Selects mandated all of their non-goaltending skaters on this journey to wear helmets or the damage would have been much worse. Netminders have their own special equipment. The teenager normally played without a lid back home. Until later on when he finally got used to wearing it. His issue was that wearing a helmet could affect or even cut off one’s peripheral vision on the ice.

Mekkar didn’t remember much of the next couple of days until the next stop on the tour as his noggin throbbed non-stop. The teen was kept awake also even when he desired sleep. Alf, Lasse, and Johan tried to fill in most of the daily details until the Mekkar got many of his wits back.

The Far North Native would never admit to suffering concussions during his career and now pays the piper for that past attitude. Players in those days never told the coaches or management about head injuries that occurred. The athletes just wanted to play and anything that kept that from happening was not acceptable. Players even made swear packs between them, especially in the cases of Alf, Lasse, Mekkar, and Johan. None of them were to ever tattle on any of them or vice-versa. It didn’t matter if one of the group recognized that something was definitely wrong and just not right mentally.

Concussions were only considered as just headaches back then. Their was a belief at the time that they were nothing that pain pills and alcohol couldn’t cure. Mekkar says, “Or you just didn’t care about it because you were buzzed.” It was fitting the Fighting Saints were battling to stay alive. Their club eventually folded due to a lack of funds. [billsportsmaps.com; whahockey.com; Wikipedia] 

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAINT PAUL (C)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – SAINT PAUL (PART B) in July, 2016.]

Later hockey history of the area proved that was a flawed strategy and culminated in utter failure a few times. One example was the cheap ownership of the Minnesota North Stars who ended up leaving town. Just because a city, region, or nation has a strong support base at the lower echelons in any sport doesn’t equal automatic success at the pro level. That is without an extreme amount of effort. Mekkar knows about this firsthand.

The emerging young man was informed enough to know that even many large corporations in many fields have declined in a big way or have lost market share. Some of those companies completely crashed outright or were taken over by rivals because the organization got fat, lazy, and happy. Mekkar was mindful that getting complacent and staying in one’s own secure place by becoming very set in their ways of doing things is a dangerous place to be. Mekkar is of the belief that if you not going forward you are going backward, you just don’t stay at a plateau for very long. [Confucius; Yo-Yo Ma]

Awhile ago one example would be International Business Machines (IBM or nicknamed Big Blue) comes to mind. It was well publicized that the corporate culture and behavior was in a manner of assured continued dominance in a particular industry. Being convinced that your business product or service will always be wanted by the public at the same level as before is not wise. The world expects some change and improvement. An environment that dismisses or does not consider any new ideas, possible positive changes are always stymied and make it very vulnerable.

A lack of forward-looking strategy results in inertia, which sets in so that anything different becomes almost non-existent there. By the time a wake up call is needed or when innovation or change is later required to still be profitable and thus stay on top of the market it might be too late. Action decisions are very slow or lacking altogether and any positive future outcome to change it is too little too late. Next step, an undesirable fall or decline begins.

On the highest level of the professional hockey industry the NHL dominated the scene. They suffered the same malaise prior to this era that the NFL and NBA did and a sports revolution emerged with challenges to the establishment. It would not be possible in today’s climate. [Michael Murphy of the Houston Chronicle – The ABA Way; remembertheaba.com – Steve “Snapper” Jones comment] The National Hockey League never expected the WHA to be a threat or get started at all in the first place. They relied on their stranglehold and control of the major pro hockey field. They had always triumphantly beaten off all previous adversaries to its lofty heightened place atop the hockey realm in the past. [Wikipedia]

Like mighty empires and businesses that have long since past. The NHL ignored many of the trends of the upstart league at the time. The big boys on the block had become arrogant and suffered from Mekkar called cockiness disease. Most of the earlier contestants attempted little that was refreshing and new in comparison until the WHA came along. Very little seemed to have been learned from a recent threat from the Western Hockey League (1952–1974) in the late nineteen sixties that caused expansion into new markets as a response. [Wikipedia; Official Says Hockey Would Go Big Here article by Charles Curtis - Los Angeles Times, 1959]

Even though the young league (WHA) lasted less than a decade, the game of hockey and sports world in general was changed forever. Some rules and ideas that originated from these rival circuits during this period are still in use today in the big leagues many years later. [billsportsmap.com; Wikipedia; hockeyfights.com; whahockey.com; Playing Hockey the World Over - … wha.htm]

After doing his homework before the tour and reading local media sources on the road, he would try to compare and confirm statements. Mekkar was becoming educated by adopting a method of checking out multiple sources and making up his own mind. He was not just going to accept what one person said as fact. His parents installed into him the premise that reading and always learning something new make you smarter. The teen thought to himself when the new outfit attempted to put any of their franchises where there was already an established presence they failed miserably. The big brother in a particular city had it in its grasp already. The Minnesota capital was the only exception for a period of time but it did not last.

Big boy circuit (NHL) reaction to market penetration by the new guys through the granting and acceptance of expansion teams are not enough to ensure a viable product. Use of lawsuits by way of the crooked justice system failed. A tactic of hastily awarded expansion clubs in some cities to stem the tide did drive the rivals out of certain territories. It only flourished temporarily and rarely an advantageous long term solution. Mekkar thinks that doing things reactively because you have to instead of being proactive - never works in the long run.

The World Hockey Association (WHA) was determined to change the old way of conducting business and be progressive as well as innovative. The same people who were first behind this project were the same individuals that began another pro rival league (the American Basketball Association) a few years before. Eventually some of those clubs were merged into the well rooted loop. [Wikipedia] It was not all rosy because those individuals were less fortunate in a few other sports endeavors.

This duration in time was an era of cultural experimentation and the desire to try new avenues for most people. The exceptions to the forward moving mood were the firmly planted and entrenched big businesses and industries. Plus, government entities who are always resistant to change of any kind. The status quo always looks good to them if there is continual growth in their influence, scope, and power. The rebel league [Rebel League by Ed Willes] did much better and experienced more success as a crowd draw than expected. Especially in cities where there was no current, at that time, major league pro hockey franchises. In some cases no higher level pro clubs had existed for quite a while. Plus, the NHL itself was not planning on serving those markets either. [billsportsmaps.com; whahockey.com; Wikipedia]

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAINT PAUL (B)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – SAINT PAUL (PART A) in July, 2016.]

During the game day walk-through, Mekkar anticipated two potential problems due to this particular feature. One that he never encountered before. Mekkar would eventually play hockey in some weird environments around the globe on this journey. One issue he considered was that if the fans in the first rows wore dark colored pants, shoes, and socks in some combination the clear boards might create slight visual issues. Potential depth perception problems in conjunction with a dark color puck. Especially if Mekkar was across the ice and moving toward it.

Added to the fact that Mekkar had inherited partial color blindness from his father Henrik. His papa was completely color blind. Mekkar only had trouble distinguishing between black and dark navy blue or something close with very dark aspects as part of the color spectrum. The slight shades in differences reflected in clothing are the most difficult for him. Fortunately, his mama Sirga was a model and was extremely fashion conscious.

Mekkar was surprised that she didn’t play pranks on either him or Henrik regarding this. But she was not the mischievous type; she was too straight forward for that. Mekkar did try to hide this flaw from his own teammates, but Lasse & Alf knew better. So, Mekkar bribed both of them to not make light of his somewhat color blindness. Mekkar feared that it might cut into his playing time determined by the coaches for matches. This was especially true in the case of tonight in a rink of clear glass.

Then, Mekkar remembered the World Hockey Association’s innovation in the use of a blue colored puck. [whahockey.com] He was hoping for this night’s game they would insert it because it would help the vision problem and make it easier to deal with. The youngster still felt this whole issue would be difficult to deal with during the game.

The second potential problem that Mekkar noticed was the clear boards could give the perception to players on his team that the ice surface was smaller than it really was. He felt it appeared smaller than the normal standard in North America which was already dimension-wise more cramped than rinks back home. The common international ice surface, and also used in the Olympic Games, was about 20 feet wider. Mekkar had distinguished the positioning required for each set of circumstances.

To double-check his perception Mekkar spoke to a couple of the arena maintenance employees. He asked if the rink was actual regulation size for the continent and each responded that it was.

However, he was not convinced and his suspicious nature wasn’t buying it. This questioning everything aspect of his personality would continue to grow more prevalent as he got older. Now he trusts his own instincts and gut feeling over anyone’s claims, opinions, and so called expertise regarding just about everything. It is even more skeptical when he is familiar with a particular subject or issue. There are very few examples where his opinions can be greatly changed by another person; But, only unless he knew that individual very well and trusted them, which is a rare thing for him. Mekkar’s attitude in the current day is I am wrong when I change my mind. [John Maynard Keynes, 1945; Paul Samuelson, 1970]

Since Mekkar has seen and participated in quote a lot of hockey so far in his young life, he was sticking with his initial instinct that had served him well up to this point. A couple of things contributed to this contrary perception by Mekkar about this rink. Today, the St. Paul Civic Center currently no longer exists. It was torn down and replaced by the newer fancier digs that are the current home of an NHL team residing there. [Wikipedia] Mekkar later on did see a part of that demolition and reconstruction process in person.

Anyway, Mekkar noticed the odd seating arrangement for improved fan viewership and enjoyment of the game. It is well to note that Mekkar already had some experience in club and facility management while at the same time as a player. This would expand in related enterprises in the future. So, he had a slight insight advantages regarding hockey and sports variances as he called it.

He was hopeful about the upcoming game in one area. The home side might act like this game was just an exhibition. However, the club struggled financially just like their counterparts across the Mississippi River in the south of the Twin Cities. Based on recent past experience with Birmingham, other drawbacks were possible. Mekkar thought that were was a much higher potential for increased goonery to draw in and please the paying customers. [whahockey.com; Wikipedia; Local media sources]

Mekkar was optimistic that this matchup wouldn’t turn into the debacle that occurred in Birmingham, but realism got the best of him. He was aware that many teams are formed and built talent-wise to be ideally suited for their home arena and fan base. Mekkar would learn that like the Bulls, these fans didn’t really care as much about wins as much as being entertained by the fights. Yet, the Saints usually had a winning record. [whahockey.com]

The Native from the True Far North was wishing that the home team was drawing fewer fans to their homes games, especially this one. To Mekkar it equated to a less fan based rowdiness and abuse of the visiting squad to deal with. He figured the less boisterous the fans, the less chance of becoming a pugilistic affair on the ice. Mekkar was wrong about this however because the crowd that did show up was the most hardcore of them. Added to fact that this matchup was a novelty game which usually meant that more patrons pass through the turnstiles. Larger attendance draws are normally recorded when tilts against international squads are on the docket.

During this era it was common for many professional hockey and sports clubs to rely on just there presence to bring in the fans to home matchups. It was nowhere like today with the hype and drama sports climate and unprecedented marketing campaigns. The old attitude resulted in a terrible local marketing strategy of throwing open the doors and expect the flock to just show up. A mistake of a high reliance of advertising and promotion was placed at the league level. This theme was even more acute in this grassroots hockey region. [Local media; The Hockey News]

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR - SAINT PAUL (A)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – HOUSTON (PART D) in June, 2016.]

Before this matchup against the Fighting Saints, the Selects had participated in a few other games such as a 5-2 victory over the Birmingham Bulls. That game gave Mekkar some fisticuff headaches for defending his teammates. The next one was a 4-3 score, in the Selects favor, against the Cincinnati Stingers. In that tilt, The Native from the North won a tussle against a now well-known TV hockey analyst – who has a far different image today. Of course, the self claimed World-Wide Leader in Sports Television neglects to mention anything regarding hockey player service in the World Hockey Association. Today, NHL avoids anything WHA like the plague, even to the point of stripping all in their 1979 merger. All despite, the WHA teams won the series vs. NHL teams 34-22-7. [whahockey.com/whavsnhl.html] Hey, the NBA accepts ABA stats and experience.

In Mekkar’s different from the norm thinking, the National Hockey League should be ashamed of their bad behavior. But, who is the Arctic Warrior to judge. However, Mekkar highly dislikes any double-standards of any kind. In addition, no one was eager to get Mekkar going regarding the Hockey Hall of Fame selection process. The last undertaking before arriving in Minnesota, the travelling team lost an uneventful game versus the Indianapolis Racers & their boisterous crowd 2-5. The Selects were looking tired and were thoroughly outskated that evening.

As per his normal routine on a game day, Mekkar usually like to ponder the opponent. Their strengths, weaknesses, and possible strategy for a bit. After the last few matches on this journey of the North American continent facing off against a host of widely different squads, Mekkar routine would be interrupted. The ritual would have to be changed on this particular day since he just wanted to enjoy some extra rest instead.

The teenager was young and in tip-top physical condition with about three and a half percent body fat content just like his papa. But, he was playing for his fourth different team within the last eighteen months or so combined with a full slate of games for each squad. It was an equivalent of two full seasons worth of matches along with the maximum compliment of playoff tilts crammed into that time frame. Mekkar had gone non-stop for that whole time with no break from injuries either. At this point during games, the Arctic Warrior’s mind began to wander more often due to fatigue. Sometimes, it became noticeable especially in the third period.

A state of fatigue can result in more mental and positioning awareness mistakes on the ice. Which contributes to more physical affliction and errors that could cost his team victories at the same time. Maybe it was that brutally, punishing match against Birmingham that occurred earlier on this tour, Mekkar thought to himself. Mekkar was trying as hard as he could to rationalize his tiredness away, but he knew the truth. He could just not accept the fact the real reason why exhaustion was setting in but it was obvious to others on the team. However, stubborn to a fault Mekkar still refused to admit it. After all he was a hockey player and nearly indestructible as his deceived mind told him.

Later on, when the Selects exited the transport that brought them from their lodging to the rink, Mekkar went straight away to check out the ice surface. It was his general custom upon arriving at an arena, especially ones he had never visited before, prior to a match. It was then that he remembered his inquiry that he conducted back home poring over various written materials such as The Hockey News, etc. Prior to this barn-storming tour his study and research included any information that he could gather. It included anything odd or peculiar about the opponents he would encounter on this trip – teams, arenas, leagues, fans, and more.

All of sudden there was a sense of dread on the part of Mekkar about this evening. He thought back to the ancient Romans and how his team could be more meat fed to the hungry lions. Mekkar thought silently, here we go again. He speculated that he, along with his team were in for another long night.

A few games before, the Selects team had been terrorized by a virtual goon squad as one of Mekkar’s teammates put it. Mekkar recalled that the home fans of the (Birmingham) Bulls loved every minute of it. That earlier opponent tried every tactic in the book to intimidate Mekkar’s squad and they pretty much accomplished that goal. It was a style adopted with other teams in their own league as well, plus it helped to fill the stands. In the past that approach was used against other touring international touring clubs, like the Selects, that previously visited North America. Despite the scoreboard, the Bulls conducted themselves in the same manner when they went overseas too!

The Selects’ earlier adversaries in Birmingham had been designed and built for their fans’ tastes. The paying customers in football country loved the violence and quickly adopted the team and ventured to the rink there to get their evenings fill.  [billsportsmaps.com; hockeyfights.com] Mekkar felt that was probably an indicator of a similar scenario waiting here in the capital of Minnesota, as well. [Wikipedia; billsportsmaps.com]

After the required morning skate by the coaching staff, Mekkar wanted to get his midday meal finished quickly. His plan was to get back to the hotel a little bit earlier and catch up on some extra quick recharging rest. He wanted to be on his A-game both physically and mentally, but even more so pugilistically this night. Just in case it would be needed come game time that evening.

Mekkar was one of the players expected to help prevent manhandling of his more highly skilled teammates. Even due to his lack of size he could fight like a beast. The Arctic Warrior has whipped adversaries in scraps three times his size, when necessary. A test as part of the regimen for Mekkar was putting his fist through various objects like bone. Lasse, Alf, and some other buddies and fellow teammates back home were witnesses to this display. However, the punching prowess paled in comparison to the non-stop, unforgiving flow from Mekkar’s mouth.

So, Mekkar had the ability to defend those Selects team members from paying the price toll that could be extracted from them during a game. However, the question was regarding desire of whether The Native from The North wanted to accept physical punishment on his part. Mekkar was aware of this too when he stated prior to the match that night, “Guess who’s going to get stuck with the bill of sticking up for these guys?” Mekkar knew that part of the fighting currency would be paid by him and few others on the squad. Thus, Mekkar resigned himself to prepare for the upcoming pugilistics, he saw in his mind.

There was an odd observation by Mekkar upon seeing the rink despite reading about it before. It now dawned on him right there. There were see-through clear glass dasher boards around the rink all the way down to the ice surface. Well, there was a white stripe around the outside of each piece. It was one of a kind and it made it easier for those fans to follow the play close up. The boards were designed to help visualize the puck in play due to the arena’s roundish structure. [Wikipedia; thirdstringgoalie.blogspot.com] Well, that is how Mekkar interpretated in his mind after curiously asking one of the individuals employed there.

During his previous reading beforehand, he had seen some photos of this unique aspect of the place. By what he heard and investigated the constructed clear boards did not exist anywhere else in the world.

Later on that night Mekkar would get a firsthand connection with those one-of-a-kind rink boards by having his head driven into them on a number of occasions. Of course, no boarding penalty was called during the matchup. It was a case of the parable if you live by the sword you die by it also. Mekkar was very familiar with that.

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – HOUSTON (D)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – HOUSTON (PART C) in June, 2016.]

In the beginning, the pace of the game turned out faster than what a few of the Selects’ team members were used to. The smaller rink dimensions, as compared to an international ice surface, also added to early perceptions that made it seem quicker. Not only that, there were fewer stoppages in the action. Mekkar discovered his pre-tour research that Houston was probably one of the top squads the Selects would encounter on this schedule.

Every time Mekkar kept chipping the puck off of the wall out of his own zone, it seemed to come back almost as rapidly. No matter how often he would head-man the puck forward or sent a crisp tape-to-tape pass ahead to a teammate, the biscuit repeatedly returned. Out to center ice and further just to withstand another onslaught.

He was busy in his defensive responsibilities inside the Selects’ own blue all night. The only breaks he received was during the shift changes that brought him to the bench then back out again for some more. Mekkar was feeling frustrated at this situation because he sensed the pace of the game was picking up at an increasing rate. The native boy asked himself a question, “Do these guys ever get tired? They appear to get stronger as the game has gone along.” Mekkar was beginning to believe that this is how it is with the top pros in the world. He identified the standards required to be consistent at this high level, up close and personal. 

The Aeros were dominant in the face off circle in this game. It also appeared to Mekkar that the Selects were out there chasing them and the puck everywhere on the ice all night long. The Native from the North instinctively knew that when he is behind trying to catch up to an opponent there are certain infractions referees are looking for. Thus, he wants to use other ways to slow them down such as body checks or better positioning.

Mekkar has a philosophy regarding when a team wins draws in their offensive end of the rink. It is much easier to set up plays. Yes, they do have set plays in hockey just like basketball, indoor soccer, and other sports. This makes it possible for better scoring chances and quick shots on a rival’s net. However, when a squad loses face-offs in your own zone these same factors work against you. It is all a matter of controlling the puck and possession, which means you direct and dictate the action during the game. The club that keeps the puck the most normally is the winner.

For comparisons sake, as in soccer the team that has the most possession of the ball usually wins the game. That is unless your team’s defense and goaltending really stinks. These strategies and styles are what make the Soviet and some club teams in Europe so successful and dangerous. When a squad or anything has mastery over another they typically mandate many variables to the other side.

During a forwards only, not the whole five man unit (excluding the goalie) line change on the fly, Mekkar followed the play and charged straight ahead. He continued despite his warped sense of timing was off by a second or more. Mekkar was in attack mode like a heat seeking missile searching for its target. He went much further deep into the offense zone than he should have and now the defenseman became a forechecker. He chugged along and had picked up his pace. The Arctic Warrior Mekkar saw a Houston player along the boards behind the backline still with the rubber disc at their feet. Mekkar thought he would be tenacious and take this opportunity to try to check that player hard into the wall. It was in retaliation from an earlier hit where the hometown athlete said, “You set your sights on our players, and you will pay the price.” Mekkar was focused on making his opponent feel the crunch of glass. What happened instead was that the Aeros’ player raised his elbow and The Arctic Warrior received a collision of his own. He ended up leading with his face into the elbow bone breaking his nose instantly.

With blood streaming out of his nose and mouth as well as his blackened eyes watering up Mekkar skated back to his side’s bench area in shame. Alf then blasted his older sibling with a number of comments. One of them that Mekkar’s little brother fired off and many Selects players heard was, “You are an idiot. You have watched the films a number of times and you forgot about the prominent elbows? Since you didn’t seem to pay attention and learn your lesson, you got exactly what you deserve.”

The home crowd fans heard the comments also but they probably were unable to decipher the meaning since the words in the Selects’ team speech and not in english. Many on the team there just cracked up laughing until the coaches admonished them, “That is enough. Keep your mind in the game.” A few of them on the bench figured that the crowd would be laughing with them, if they could understand.

After Alf’s criticism Mekkar went to the dressing room to have treatment on his upper body injury. When he came back to his team’s side not long afterward, Mekkar remained incensed at Alf. Now Mekkar was looking a chance at payback or redemption of any kind.

Some shifts later, Mekkar was back on the ice at the same time as the Houston player that had broken his nose. Mekkar caught him unaware this time and got his retribution with a downward chopping motion hard slash of the ankle with his stick. That retaliation on Mekkar’s part not surprisingly got him sent to the sin bin and he received a game misconduct penalty. Thus, his night was over and Mekkar concluded with a trip back to the locker room. The target of Mekkar’s nasty display of frustration was now extra motivated and hurt the Selects where it counted most, on the scoreboard. The Aeros’ team member potted two goals himself after Mekkar had been ejected from the match.

What saved the Selects from great embarrassment of being blown out that evening was the travelling team’s goalie made fifty six saves. However, Mekkar’s team was still on the wrong end of a four-two score in favor of the home side. Some nights you have it and some you don’t! Well, Mekkar knew it was not the thrill of victory, but the agony of defeat. [Jim McKay; Stanley Ralph Ross, ABC's Wide World of Sports! 1970] What a way to start this tour thought Mekkar. He just hoped the rest of this slate of games was different or he was in for a long trip.

WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – HOUSTON (C)

Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR – HOUSTON (PART B) in May, 2016.]

It encouraged Mekkar as he felt emboldened like hey, if a little guy like Lee could take on larger people and kick their rear ends when necessary, why couldn’t he? Of course, Mekkar realized that Bruce was in a class all by himself. Lee was an innovator and might never be matched in the combat arts realm.

Nonetheless, Bruce in his films provided some additional inspiration to Mekkar in regard to overcoming his lack of imposing physical structure and size to make great impact anyway. Mekkar also referred to him as, “The Bruce man,” as he called him admiringly, “Probably hasn’t encountered a pack of wolves or a polar bear too close for safety’s sake.” Well, in this one area, Mekkar thought in a humorous way, that he an advantage over the out of this world Lee in his realm. Each of the four in that crew at the movie house continues to love and enjoy good action martial arts films ever since, plots and speaking be damned.          

During next day and in the span before The Selects match against the home team at the Summit arena, the Aeros has a surprise activity awaiting their tour guests. The hosts invited The Selects team members to join them to attend a major league baseball game at the Astrodome.

The Astrodome was the first multi-purpose dome stadium in existence when it opened in nineteen sixty five. Approximately a decade before other early domed facilities such as the Superdome in New Orleans or the Kingdome in Seattle. The Astrodome was nicknamed The Eighth Wonder of the World as it was one of a kind at the time it was built. Now, it is empty and houses almost no sports - probably just rats, Mekkar figured. [Wikipedia]

Mekkar was familiar with baseball because he had been forced to watch many tapes and films. He did this along with other sports as part of his mama’s plan for him to learn the english language. Plus, Mekkar had previously played similar games like pesäpallo, rounders, and over-the-line. So, attending this game would not be a total foreign experience to him.

The Aeros and Selects players sat in a section designated for them down near the field level. Undoubtedly, the Selects players enjoyed the various snacks and beverages mobile vendors would bring by during the game. Unknown to Mekkar, many of his teammates had never been to a live baseball game before.

As Mekkar was trying to find his seat he blurted out the comment to one of the home team players, “You know that this doesn’t change the fact that you are still the enemy come game time tomorrow.” On of the Houston players’ responded back, “That is tomorrow, just sit back and relax and enjoy today’s game as our guest.” That particular home team player was there with other members of their family to enjoy the day off. Since, it is a rarity during the long season.

Native from north Mekkar was enthralled by the indoor playing area and soaked up the atmosphere of the place along with the game as well. It was good thing that Mekkar had brought his binoculars, as he usually does, to see things more close up. He just thought that the hometown Houston Astros Rainbow, Tequila Sunrise uniforms with the multi-colored stripes were the coolest things. [Wikipedia]

He is a sports fan in general and welcomed colorful items and clothing. Mekkar has the concept of if you just want just black without color in everything, like the trend is going in today’s sports world, just revert yourself back to the nineteen fifties and before. Similar to the period before the advent of color television.

The visiting teen hockey player doesn’t remember who won the baseball game or even who the opponent was and didn’t care. He did get to have some interaction and converse with each of the Howe’s - Mark, Marty, and Mr. Hockey Gordie. That itself was the highlight of Mekkar’s day. Mekkar had got wind that there was supposed to be an evening meal with both teams together later that day, but it never materialized. That was okay because some of the Selects’ team members had consumed too much of the ballpark goodies. A copious amount beyond what was beneficial for their own good. Those same individuals paid for it later.

Suspicious in his nature as he was, Mekkar thought that maybe the whole thing might be a tactic used by their opponent. Not only to soften the Selects’ players up but also to distract them. This in turn, would affect the upcoming match. Mekkar unwittingly made his thoughts regarding this matter audibly known to others around him. This was by the way a regular unconscious habit of his.

Some of the squad hung out together in one of the hotel rooms that evening after arriving back from the ballpark. During the banter when Alf heard his older brother’s incredulous comments, he rebuked Mekkar. The reply was, “We are not in Eastern Europe behind the Iron Curtain you paranoid, unappreciative oaf!” Mekkar gathered Alf was probably right. Yet, he wouldn’t admit it outwardly as to not lose face. Definitely not in front of the team.

On the bus ride from the hotel to the arena a couple of hours prior to faceoff, Mekkar noticed that a couple of his teammates looked lethargic. It seemed to him like they had the flu or something related. So, Mekkar decided to move over to sit by the goalies as they might be more alert. Mekkar figured that they would need to be more awake if a lot of high speed vulcanized rubber was about to be blasted at them. Since netminders are normally so superstitious, he calculated their other worldly aura might separate him. That is, whatever was affecting the sluggish ones he saw on the bus.

Mekkar went through his common pre game routine and it was not long to game time. He started to get revved up. He also grasped that the Aeros were a veteran team with a championship pedigree. Early in the match he foresaw that this was going to be game involving a lot of speed and skating along with quick puck movement. He also supposed there was to be minimal plodding, grinding, bulliness, and thuggery on the ice that night. Some of the Selects’ players had pre-notions, expectations, and assumptions of a North American goonish style they would face before the game began. The Aeros could bring the wood or the pummeling if they had to but it was not necessary for this matchup. This was a definite relief to Mekkar.