DURHAM, UK – Trafford Metros are currently enjoying a fine season in the ENL North Division 1. Metros were due to be competing in Division 2 this season after finishing at the foot of the table last term however after league restructuring Trafford were given a reprieve and the Altrincham based side are currently 5th in the standings competing for a play off spot.
Trafford faced the top 2 teams in ENL North over the weekend of the 4th/5th February the Billingham Bombers and Whitley Warriors. Jamie kept a diary over the course of the weekend detailing how a player at ENL level has to fit in everyday activities around taking to the ice twice in a weekend.
Jamie is one of the Metros top players as the 6ft2 forward has already notched more than 25 points this season even though he has been out of action due to injury for a number of games. Away from hockey Jamie got engaged on Christmas Day so he is currently beginning to plan for his big day as well as turning out for Trafford.
Saturday 4th February –
10am. Got up and made my fiancée breakfast in bed.
10:30am- Had a shower and got dressed
11:30am – My future mother-in-law came and picked us up as we were going to look at a nearby hotel for our wedding reception. Went there and had a bit of lunch.
1:30pm- Got home and cooked pasta to eat about 3 hours before face-off.
3pm- Get changed into shirt, tie, trousers and team jacket ready to go to the rink.
3:30pm- Arrive at the rink. 1hr 45mins to faceoff.
Get changed into sweatgear, tape my sticks, go for a little jog and warm up outside.
4:35pm- On the ice for warm-up.
5:15pm- Face-off
Was a good game have been speaking to a couple of Billingham fans on Twitter leading up to the game and they weren’t too happy with the result. Big 4-2 victory over the Stars for my team.
I ended the game with 1 assist, I thought my line played well, we got 2 out of the 4 goals.
7:30pm- End of the game.
Quick shower and change into another shirt and trousers to go into Manchester for a friend’s birthday meal. I’m driving though as don’t want to be hung over for the trip to Whitley!
11pm- Arrive home.
Sunday 5th February
10:30am – Wake up. Becki made me breakfast and also cooked my pasta for the bus journey.
Get up and have a shower and get ready.
12:05pm – Arrive at rink for 12:15pm bus. Get on bus and settle in for the long trip!
En route, I play cards with the lads, listen to music and try to focus on the game ahead.
4pm – Arrive in Whitley Bay
Go and grab a coffee from the rink cafe, then start getting changed straight away.
4:30pm – On ice for warm-up
5pm – Face-off
Another good game, the Billingham fans I’d been speaking to on twitter had been expecting us to be well beaten but I think a draw would have been a fair result if not a win for us.
However it ended 4-3 to warriors we were 2-1 up and but for, what can only be described as the worst miss of my life, would have been 3-1 up but fair play to Warriors they played well and snatched it from us.
Particular mention to an old friend of mine, DJ Good who I think had a 3 point game and a deserved MOM. I look forward to the next trip up there at the end of February!
I got 1 goal in this game and again thought my line played well.
7:40pm – End of the game
8pm – On the bus for the long trip home, made worse by the fact we lost.
11:30pm- Get home and straight to bed as up for work at 8am Monday.
Overall, I’d say it was a good weekend for us. We took 2 points from the league leaders and almost got something from a tough trip to Whitley.
Thanks to Jamie for allowing us an insight into the life of a player in ENL. Trafford travel to the East Midlands on Sunday where they take on the Nottingham Lions in a late 7.15 face off at the National Ice Centre which will no doubt mean a late return home for the Metros after their only game of the weekend.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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