Birthday Shutout

All winter long our grandson, Max, plays hockey.  Saturdays and Sundays are devoted to team practices and games.  He's been doing this for four years now.

Yesterday, Max's 9th birthday, Lloyd and I went to watch one of his games.  Max is the team's only goalie so he doesn't miss a game.  His dad, Quincey, used to be a goalie too, playing on three different leagues every year for several years. And his grandfather, Lloyd, spent all his boyhood winters playing hockey, an activity that continued into his adult years. When you're Canadian, hockey is in your DNA.

Max's whole family attends every game and practice.  The girls manage to entertain themselves at the rink doing anything but watch the game, but they're there supporting their brother.

Big sister Charlie

Baby sister Quinn

Little sister Eloise

Quincey, Lloyd and Sara.  Poor Sara came to the game straight
from the dentist, with a swollen face and lots of pain.

It was fun watching our boy face bown a team of rampaging 9-year olds as they tried to shoot a frozen rubber puck into the net behind him.  Max is a good goalie though, and didn't allow a single goal.  His team won the game 4-0 and Max had the coveted shutout on his birthday.

A goalie's game is often a lonely one, watching while his teammates put
the puck in their opponents net.

Waiting for the opposing players

Defending his net

Getting down to business

The hero of the game, with his shutout scoresheet.

 Happy birthday Max!