Just like Hockey Night in Canada

Hockey Night in Canada is a cultural experience. Anyone who lives in satellite/antenna proximity to Canada will know exactly what makes Saturday night special in Canada. It's hockey night. No matter what the plans of the evening are, somewhere there will be a television monitor nearby, tuned to the hockey game. Even brides who choose late May/early June for their wedding date know that they will have to make sure an ante room near the reception has a TV so people, on their way to the bar or restroom, can check in on the playoffs.

Hockey, it's the glue of commonality that brings Canadians of all ages, races, classes and the sexes together. It's the immediate conversation ice breaker. It's the story we all follow and understand. It's Don Cherry and his refreshing non-PC speak. It's the power and resilience of all those local boys turned heros. It's knowing that the living rooms of St. John and Toronto and Moose Jaw are all basking in the TV set glow of "the game".

Of course the 3 oldest kids in this house have played or still play hockey. It's genetic I think. Will is equally captivated by hockey. He loves watching the game. He reminds everyone to be quiet when the commercials are over. He manipulates his mini stick around a ball to shoot and "SCORE!". He's getting into it more and more, playing to try to score, checking his bigger brothers, trying some fancy sticking. It was during a mini-sticks game that Will got injured. He cried a little, but generally took the big boy hockey player approach of stoic endurance.

So, here is Will with his very first hockey injury:

Once again, Will proves he is more like other kids than different. :)