slapshot...

...Growing up in upstate NY (Schenectady to be exact) I learned to love hockey at a young age. My father was (and still is) a professor at Union College and I LOVED going to the games. Loved. As in obsessed!! By the age of 9 I could tell you which players played on which line and, although a pretty quiet and timid child, I had a tendency to let the refs know when they blew a call. I still have several years worth of signed programs and even a broken stick from one of my favorite players. I can still rattle off several of the players' names and numbers...obsessed. So when my aunt told me about a charity hockey event that she wanted me to go to with her I jumped all over it. Hockey AND charity...how could it get any better?? I'll tell you how...there were 3 teams that played a 30 minute period each against the Washington Capitals Alumni team. Names like Peter Bondra, Alan May, Sylvain Cote and Yvon Labre were on the program. Impressive! Now to the even better part...the first period was played by USA Warriors Ice Hockey...a team comprised of US Military personnel wounded in defense of our country. They are set up solely for charitable and educational purposes. You should check out their WEBSITE ... truly inspiring. The second group was the USNA Alumni team and the 3rd team was Firefighters & Police Lines. All of these wonderful people were there raising money to fight childhood cancer and multiple sclerosis. Amazing!!!

before the games started there was a scrimmage between two kids' teams: The Baltimore Saints and the Washington Ice Dogs. The Caps Alumni players were on the ice with them, helping them every step of the way. Really neat to watch!

like I said, these guys are amazing

this man skates with TWO prosthetics. Two. How inspiring is that?!?!

During an intermission there was a quick game for the "older" set. These teams are comprised of players over the age of 55 and let me tell you, they can move!!! AND, there was a woman on one of the teams! LOVE IT!! By the way, the name of one of the teams is the Geri-Hat-Tricks...

then it was Navy's turn

watching players like Peter Bondra play was so incredible. They truly do love the game and make it look completely effortless. They skate better than I walk!