How to See the Win in a Loss

This, my friends, is what we call life. During the final game of our tournament in Wausau, we were tied 5-5, which led to a five-minute sudden death period. Still no winner. The anxiety of a shootout hit hard for Evan, but he got pumped up by his teammates and coaches and played harder! 

These kids were so evenly matched that we went seven players deep in the shootout. The next two teams to play lined the glass around the rink and cheered while watching intently. All parents from both teams stressed together, laughed together, and cheered on the goalies of both teams with every save. It was a rare and memorable scene for the parent section. 

The game winning shot was earned by a Kenosha player, and it stung. I won’t be posting the usual victory videos we’re used to seeing. But instead, here’s a look at Evan NOT saving the goal. I still see a victory. I see two kids trying their hardest to play the game. I see a team that always believes in Evan and rushes to pick him up when he’s down. And finally, I see coaches that know he needs a little more love than other kids they’ve coached, and they don’t have a problem throwing a hug and encouraging words his way. 

So this video is not their loss. It’s a win to me. I hope all children find the people they need to build them up and support them unconditionally.  I hope they find their “team”, even if they don’t play sports. We all need someone to share the highs, the lows, and countless in-betweens with. Winning is fun, but the ice cream stop on the drive home where three boys were laughing so hard that Evan somehow had chocolate from his nose to under his chin was more fun. 

And yes, I know this is a “sappy mom” post, but where do you think my sweet goalie gets all his emotions?