Casey as Goalie

In hockey, Casey usually plays defense. He figured out early in the year (September) that defensive players get more ice time, since his coach usually set up three lines of offense but only two lines of defense for the games. Thus, defensive players are off the ice for one shift, whereas, offensive players sit through two shifts before getting back on the ice. Casey very quickly pegged himself as a defensive player and has become quite good. He's aggressive, focused, and smart. He's even scored a few goals as a defensive player.

Also early on, when the coach was rotating through players to find a suitable goalie, Casey played one stint as goalie. but with only one practice as goalie beforehand, he was not really prepared, and the team lost that game.

Ever since then, however, whenever the neighborhood kids play street hockey, Casey plays goalie, improvising goalie equipment with one regular ice hockey glove and his catcher's mitt from baseball. (Ice hockey goalies wear very padded gloves, and the glove of the hand not holding the stick is somewhat mitt-like for catching flying pucks.)

Lately, he's been asking his coach if he can play goalie in practice again. Finally, at last night's practice, Coach Eddie let Casey have a turn as goalie. Here you see Casey outfitted in full goalie gear (except for his helmet). It's so much padding that it makes a player waddle. Kinda like a bear.

Casey had a good time, and his "team" won the 3-on-3 half-ice scrimmage.