it was cold, parka-wool hat early morning at Manchester Central rink.  Grammy and I were there, along with your Dad and a handful of others, to watch your team play a tough squad from a much larger city.

It’s been cool watching you gain confidence and transform your game over the years.  You’ve always loved breakaways… in fact you’ve got a real talent anticipating these opportunities when you’re in the defensive zone.  You have the intuition and are always looking to create the precise moment when you can get your stick on the puck and break free from competition.

When you were younger the moment sometimes – not often – got away from you when you pulled the trigger a little too early.  Today’s game winner reflected the confidence and maturity of a 14 year old who’s played hockey since he was five.

Reaching the area before the crease, you patiently waited, watched, moved right to left and put on a sweet fake before taking the shot.  No contest.  The Manchester goalie didn’t have a chance. Way to go C-man.