Say What?

On Friday my team, Ssk, won a big game at home against the second best team in our league. It was a very competitive game. Our opponent, Bofors, is known as tough and dirty. We matched them slash for slash and hit for hit. The game had two fights!

You could tell the players were unsure what to do at first but once they got after it they really caught on quick. Fighting is frowned upon very strongly here. All four players have been suspended for at least one game and may receive more after the tapes are reviewed. A little harsh I think.

Near the end of the game as I was carrying the puck over the offensive blue line I was hit with a very high stick and was bleeding heavily from a cut on my cheek. I was sent for stitches right away. Getting stitches at the rink is not a new experience for me. However, this time it was unique. The doctor cleaned me up and as he got ready to put the first stitch in I asked ‘When do you put the freezing in?’

He looked at me with a surprised look on his face and answered, ‘We don’t use it here. Do they use it in the NHL? I could go find some if you want it.’

I think of myself as a pretty tough guy so of course I replied, ‘They do use it there but go ahead. Lets do it your way.’

I was shocked to discover it was much less painful without the freezing, even when they had to put a couple of stitches on my gums. The next day I had much less swelling then I had expected. Could it be north America has this freezing idea all wrong? Has anyone else had this experience before of getting stitches without the freezing? Can some doctors comment?

A really cool tradition in Sweden is one game per year the tickets are free. February first is that home game for us. I am really looking forward to it. The fans will all be chanting and cheering the whole game. One fan is the director and everyone follows his cues for which songs to sing. It’s awesome! It will be a fun night.

If anyone is going to be near Sodertajle that night come on by!