Page 70 - Glace Bay Cinderella Miners

ISSUE : Issue 51

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1989/2/1

And then I--when I got near the net, I loved scoring goals. Just loved it. So therefore I put everything into it that I had, to score goals. (And you did it.) I did it quite frequently. I think sometimes you have to be lucky, though. I think there's a certain amount of luck to scoring goals, sometimes. And it seemed to me, when I'd shoot the puck, it would go in the net quite often. Whereas I'd watch other players and they could have a dozen shots and never score. For me it seemed--I don't know if the puck had eyes. I don't know if it was me that had the eyes, or the puck. And I had a strong shot. Like, using the axe and everything, I built up strong wrists, and I had a powerful shot. (Because in those days it was wrist, wasn't it?) It was all wrist shot. I was not a slapshoot- er. So I built up my wrists. In the summer? time I played baseball. And I had a bat-- built myself a bat out of hardwood that was heavy. And I'd get home in the yard and I'd be swinging that bat, and it would strengthen up my wrists. And swinging the axe built up strong wrists and strong fore? arms. So that I could shoot a puck--the stick was just like a matchstick in my hands, because I had strong wrists and strong arms. So I built that up. Now, I didn't know I was doing that. I have to be honest with you. I didn't cut wood and that to--and really realize what I was doing. But when I look back at it now, why I could shoot so well and why my ASHBY MEDICAL SUPPLY We Rent, Sell & Repair Hospital Equipment: wheelchairs, commode chairs, walkers, beds, canes (WALTER'S RENTALS) 4 SMERIFF AVE., SYDNEY (539-9616) arms were so strong, and wrists--that was it. Chopping wood, and this heavy stick I had in the summer when I was playing baseball.... (So in 1955-56, how old were you?) In 1956 I was 20. At that time I was working in the mines. I was surveyor then. But as a surveyor, you did a lot of walking. So therefore my legs stayed good. And I was on the ice every day--played hockey just about every day. Like in the Junior Hockey in those days, if you weren't playing you were practising. And if t wasn't practis? ing at the Forum, I'd be out on the ponds. I still loved it with a passion. (You'd do this after, or before, you'd put in a full day's work.) Yes. (That is love.) Oh, I just loved it. Enjoyed it. I know, when we'd get Christmas holidays, I'd be the only fellow on the rink. I'd get up, get on the rink at 9 o'clock in the morning and I'd be there till dark. I wouldn't go home for dinner. And supper-- well, I'd have it at night. And then after I had supper, I'd go back out on the rink again. I've seen me on the ice in minus 10 degrees below zero. And nobody else out there: I'd be out there skating. (On the ponds.) This is on the ponds, yes.... Practise shooting, stickhandling, skating. I'd do stops and starts. If you got out there on the ice surface at minus 10 below and about 40-mile-an-hour wind blowing, you'd have to skate to keep warm. You could skate against the wind, and then you'd turn around and come back and let the wind push you. And day after day I did that, with nobody on the rink. Sometimes one fellow'd come down, the two of us would go at it. But most times there'd be nobody around. >'.aqA CO-OP Building Supplies WW 'r V sTATinN .<;t. port hawkfsriirv . e9R-26no a. COOP "' ~ PATIO DECKS Manufacturers of Quality HARBOUR HOMES MIH) Pointing the Way to Better Living We've been building quality into our honres for more than 32 years. Over 40 Home Plans to Choose from STATION ST.. PORT HAWKESBURY - 625-2600 KING'S ROAD. SYDNEY - 539-6410 p' • 's', we OQSilPlC. Feature You've Got Experience on Your Side

Cape Breton's Magazine