
Originally Posted by
Mike
Having to shake your opponents hand after losing a playoff series in any round is worse than getting a medal. The point is to not act like a dick, like Billy Smith.
Also, the professional leagues where guys get paid don’t do it. It’s for tournaments, regional, and district recognition of getting that far. Last year we lost the best of 3 in districts to earn a trip to Nationals. The moment I’ll never forget as a coach, and a parent of the goaltender, was watching him drop to his knees at the buzzer realizing our run was over. After being consoled by his teammates while watching the other team celly, we lined up, shook hands, had our names announced, and took our silver medals and 2nd place hats with dignity. To make that worse, you shake hands 3 fuckin times because after the league officials call you up, you go down the opponents line and shake their hands, and vice versa. They had tears, but no one threw shit. Some wore their medals and hats walking out of the locker room, some didn’t, and that’s ok. No one threw them back on the ice, or in the garbage, unless it was done privately, which is also ok. It’s how you’re perceived, someone’s always watching.