Gauntlet Dropped: Matty Savage story of perseverance

I like to catch up with as many of my goalies as possible throughout the season, but many times, due to work obligations, planning issues, and uncooperative team or tourney schedules, it is not possible.  As a result, I sometimes have to get a whirlwind summary of a goalie's season while watching them play a couple periods of hockey.

I was able to catch up with Matt Savage and his mother at the SEDMHA tournament a few weeks back.  Matt, at the beginning of the season, had what some would have called a setback in his playing career, but others, like myself, would consider a challenge.  While Matt started his first year in Atom at the B level, he had high expectations to make the jump to "AA" for the 2012-13 season.  Tryouts being what they are, found Matt left behind to do another season in "B".  It was, of course, easy to sympathize with Matt's dismay and shock, but he immediately put his passion for the game above his hurt feelings.

Always a hard worker and real battler, both in drills and games, Matt took on the role as the only goalie on his team to take on a leadership position of a young and inexperienced group.  The team had mixed success throughout the season, but Matt delivered strong performances every game to give his team a chance to win.  Their hard work and Matt's stalwart attitude and veteran goalie ability finally vaulted his team to the gold medal podium at the Gary L Wentzell tournament in Bridgewater.  The final game was a tightly fought 3-2 victory and it put a satisfied smile on Matty's face.

Matt took the situation of playing Atom B again as a challenge to improve, not only his skill, but his on-ice presence and leadership abilities.  He is a model that "no year is a step back, unless you let it be one".  Focusing on the important elements of his game during the season and thinking about his own long term plans, Matt is setting himself up to tackle future seasons with confidence and hope.

Matt knows that there are more challenges ahead for him as he will make the big jump to Pee Wee next season.  Every age-category move is always difficult, especially for a goalie as they must contend with many different elements.  Being the "passive" position that it is, adjusting to the speed of the play and quickness of the shots of older kids is always a hurdle.  But Matty is one to take this head-on.  He is determined by nature and not one to rest easy until the task or drill is finished.  I expect him to make improvements to his conditioning and his game over the summer, so he'll be a real contender next season.

Keep up the good fight, buddy!!