Well folks, it's over. The 2007-2008 AK Bars season ended with a thud with a 0-1 loss to the Renegades last Saturday.

It's taken that long to really mull it over.

We were not at our best. Truly. I mean Drop Pass and Libby were league level point leaders. The Ah-Nye-Hilator has a cannon AND a wrister. We can score. We can score a lot. We were never shut out this season once. In 22 games.

Until game 23.

Jesus it was not pretty. I don't really know if it was the Olympic sized ice, the fact we played the night before or what. We came out flat. I was late, which is unusual-no matter what shit they give me (Twins day game that afternoon got out as I was trying to head south on I-35W and no bridge....not that it really matters now). It was if we had totally used all our hockey mojo on friday nite. Friday was a great nite, but I'll talk about that later, as I want to wrap this season on the high note.

Larry blames himself for not being inspiring, or having a bad attitude, or something, but that's not really it. Larry tried and tries his hardest and then some. And like everyone who tries his damn hardest...well sometimes it doesn't matter. Or maybe you "tried too hard". Or maybe shit really does just happen. Our bench became unglued during this game. Guys who usually get stuff done, didn't. The pressures of the playoff situation, both mental (we MADE it!!) and more physical (holy crap this is a LOT of hockey for just 5 days!) were tougher than everyoine anticipated I think. Either way, I think Larry blames himself more that is really called for. When I reflect on this painful loss, even after a TON of analysis and the seeking of "causes", on a fundamental level, I really think that it was simply time for the 2007-2008 season to be over. Every season for every team in every sport ends--in perhaps the truest, most real way, exactly when it should. Because otherwise, by definition, it would not have. Hockey really does, "lay bare the realities of life in platonic form" as put by one philosopher. We had our season, and then it was over. Just like every season. And just like Life.

I could'a skated better. I had a sweet crossing pass from the Ah-Nye-Hilator that was either tipped--or more likely I just did not catch and fire right in. Give it to me again and it's a highlight reel goal. Maybe. Maybe I felt the strain of back to back games. Maybe I just suck and should quit hockey and find a new passion in life. Even tho I had a sweet end to our season, including the playoffs. Even tho I scored more goals in 6 or so games than the last 15 or so, I'll still remember that crossing pass as the one I didn't at least tie the score up when we really needed it.

But truth be told I will think of that moment that way, but as the inverse as well. Because the memory of failre is what makes success feel so sweet. I relish my own goals so sweetly because I score so few of them. And this is why I do take nothing but positives from this painful loss.

More later.....

-Kai #10 AK Bars