Daniel was about 10 years old. It was only his second year of being a goalie and his third year of playing hockey. He made the rep team and was so excited. We were in a tournament in Abbotsford and Daniel’s team made it all the way to the finals, playing against Abbotsford.

We were from the small town of Aldergrove at the time. It was a pretty intense game for me, being the goalie dad. I don’t know if you know this, but it’s more intense and nerve-wracking than being the parent of a player. Often, I would just walk around the arena just to stay calm. I would still watch the game but keep pacing… I mean, walking.

It was the third period, and we were winning 3-0. Daniel was playing very well. The neat thing was that he was still at the age that he would listen to his father. I never knew much about hockey, but I did notice in previous games that Daniel would flop on the ice to grab a puck near him. But if he missed it, as he often did, they usually scored on him. I told him to watch Luongo, who was the goalie for the Canucks at the time. I told him to notice what happened when he flopped on the ice. He would be out of the play and wouldn’t be able to get up in time. That improved Daniel’s play as he stayed up and was able to make the saves. That’s the only thing I taught him. He stopped listening to me shortly after that.

Here, in the final game of the tournament, the place was packed. I was doing my usual walking around when it happened. The other team got a penalty shot. Damn. So much for being relatively relaxed for the rest of the game. I walked back to my group of parents to feel some support. That was probably the wrong this to do. All the parents from our team looked at me with worry in their eyes.

The referee was lining up the puck on center ice when one of the parents turned to me. “You know Dave. If Daniel saves this, we win the game. If they score, it’s a whole new game.” I wanted to tell him to shut up but instead I just said, “Really Steve?” Steve’s a great guy but at that moment, he was just adding to my stress. (I wonder if he remembers that moment.)

The arena was so quiet. Everyone’s full attention was on the ice. No talking whatsoever. Daniel later told me that he thought that him and the player shooting were the two most nervous people in the whole building. I don’t know how that’s possible. I’m nervous just writing this story 10 years later.

As I said, I’m not much of a hockey person, but for some reason I knew this kid was going to go high on Daniel’s, blocker side. I must have seen him try it once or twice during the game. I was wishing I could find a way to tell Daniel.

The player started down the ice. It was still so quiet you could hear the player’s skates cutting the ice even though we were high up in the stands. As he skated towards Daniel, he faked right. Then he went left and shot high. Damn. I knew it. I wish I could have told Daniel. There was this extremely long pause as we all tried to figure out what happened. Or maybe it was just me because I couldn’t see where the puck went. Then a huge eruption of excitement, and applause. I was still frozen as I couldn’t tell which parents were jumping up. I was focused on the referee. He finally fanned his arms out to signify ‘no goal’.

I jumped up as well and hugged Steve. I thought it went in. Phew. I’m glad I was wrong. Daniel later told me that he also knew that the player was going to shoot high on his blocker side. He was ready for that.

Sadly, one of the first thoughts I had after that penalty shot was, “oh my God, he’s only 10 years old. What happens when he gets older? Does the stress go up exponentially?” But for that moment in time, it was the most amazing, better than any NHL seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals.

Daniel’s team ended up winning the game 3-0 and won the tournament. That was the only tournament Daniel ever won. He came close a couple of times, but nothing compared to that game and that penalty shot.

He also won the MVP (most valuable player) award and got the game puck. That’s tradition for goalies that get shutouts.

For his award he got a metal and two tickets to the Abbotsford Flames game that night. The Flames used to be the farm team for the NHL Calgary Flames. So, of course, Daniel and I went. It was Sunday night. A school night. But what the heck.

At the game, they had a free entry to a lottery. We entered, and would you know it? We won that too. They called us down and gave us hats and T-shirts. I think there was some other stuff too. I don’t remember who won the game, but it was great fun. We sat behind the Abbotsford goalie and Daniel was in awe the whole time.

We were both spent and wired at the same time on the drive home. I thought I would stop to buy a lottery ticket because, of course, we were on a roll. Why not? As we turned into the driveway, late in the evening, Daniel turned to me and said, “Dad. This was the best day of my whole life.” And you know what? I think it was one of my best days ever too.