Playoffs and pain
It’s 12:35am on Wednesday evening and I should be sleeping since I have an incredibly busy day tomorrow. But, the constant throbbing in my knee won’t let me sleep. So this post is definitely not a normal post for me by any stretch and is really me rambling about my knee, Yzerman, pain, and the playoffs so feel free to skip this one if you so desire.
People look at me like I’m crazy when they learn how much I’m into hockey. You want to know why? Because when I’m watching hockey, I’m free. I picture myself out there. I get all excited when the players start fighting and I celebrate after every goal. I can’t escape my life of chronic pain, but I can escape the pain for those couple hours. It’s that time that makes me feel like I’m free again. That pain doesn’t confine my life. That I can do anything. I get caught up in the beauty of the movement. Of the connection between teammates. Of the joy following a goal. Of the passion these players have for their sport. Of one player fighting for a teammate. Of the magic of a breakaway goal. Of scoring a shorthanded goal to win the game. Of watching these incredible athletes sacrifice their bodies for the sake of the team.
Steve Yzerman is my favorite player of all time. Why? It’s not because he’s a great leader. Or at one point a scoring machine who turned into a complete two way player. It’s because he has a high pain threshold and incredible perseverence. He went out and played. Hockey was also his escape. Sure, it made the pain worse. But I bet while he was playing, he felt whole again (I bet you during a stoppage in play, it hurt all over again). Winning was Yzerman’s ultimate pain killer and in 2002, he led the team in points during the playoffs and to a Stanley Cup victory despite a knee so bad he had to have an operation to realign his knee that offseason. Something that is usually only done for elderly patients to help them walk again. Something that no professional athlete has ever returned from (aside from Yzerman).
An article by John Niyo of The Detroit News was printed Wednesday morning discussing pain in the playoffs. My favorite excerpt obviously included Yzerman and that magical playoff run:
For the last two decades in Detroit, that meant following the example set by Steve Yzerman. And given The Captain’s high pain threshold, laughs Piet Van Zant, the Wings trainer, “It’s almost unfair to compare anybody to him.”
Everyone remembers Yzerman in 2002, essentially playing on one leg throughout the playoffs, using his stick almost as a crutch at times.
“That was one of the greatest sporting accomplishments that I’ve ever witnessed,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said. “To watch him limp into the rink the morning of a game, talking to doctors to see what he went through to play, the pain he endured every other night for two months — it was incredible.”
And yet, it’s closer to the rule than the exception in hockey.
“That’s one of the things the fans admire about hockey players, their ability and their desire to play through the pain,” said Van Zant, who is in his 14th season with the organization. “That’s one of the things that I think sets hockey players apart — that willingness to sacrifice themselves.
I have an autographed 16×20 photograph of Yzerman sitting on the the bench during a game at home above my bed. I have a 5×7 photo of Yzerman slowly getting up on his bad knee during a game at my dorm. These photos remind me of how he overcame pain to succeed and that I need to have the same mindset when all I can think of is the intense throbbing or stabbing pain in my knee. I don’t know Yzerman. I’ve never met the guy. I can’t tell you what he’s like in the locker room or how he treats his family. I can tell you that he has dealt with a significant amount of pain and the way he responded to it inspires me on a daily basis.
And sometimes, it hurts to be a fan. Sometimes it doesn’t help you escape life. During the playoffs, it becomes your life. A loss for your team? It hurts. When you see your team lose in the first round consistently, it stings. And yes, I get bitter towards the team that kicked us out of the postseason. But I’m still feeling something other than the pain in my knee. Hockey distracts me from the one thing that drives me mad.
Tomorrow, the playoffs begin for the Detroit Red Wings. And as much as these playoffs torture my very being, they also make me feel more alive and excited than any other time of the year. Tomorrow, the Wings quest for the Cup begins. Tomorrow, the city of Detroit will fill with a sea of fans wearing the red and white. Tomorrow, we will start a magical playoff run or continue the haunting early playoff exits. Either way, I’m going to be there every step of the way and I hope you’ll join me by commenting on the playoff action here on BTJ. Good night and go Wings!
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9 Responses to “Playoffs and pain”
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April 12th, 2007 at 3:06 am
Great post. If you’ve ever thought of going in the direction of sports journalism, you’d be fabulous.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:25 am
If I wasn’t ready for Red Wings playoff pucks already, I definitely am now. One of your better posts - and that’s saying something.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:24 am
I’m new to your blog (English Canucks fan I am afraid - bet you can’t guess who brings me here? :-)) but I think you write very eloquently and I really enjoy your posts. Thanks for taking the time.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Excellent post, Christy. You’ve got the same magical touch with a pen (or keyboard) as a hot goalie in April & May.
April 12th, 2007 at 11:40 am
I can really relate to this post. I lived in chronic pain for years (thankfully not anymore) and I really feel for you. I remember anything that could take the pain away for even a few minutes was a blessing. I am excited for the playoffs and I miss Steve Yzerman more and more as the puck drop nears. I am wearing my Yzerman sweater around Denver today in support of my team.
GO WINGS!
Hope you are feeling better soon. Thanks for your great blog!
April 12th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Wow, I’ve always wondered if anyone else watched hockey the same way I do. I’ve always told people, of Steve Yzerman, that I’ve never been so affected by a person I’ve never met.
April 12th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Great post!! Hopefully a long playoff run will give you some respite from the pain!!
Officially, of course, I fear the Wings are doomed. Calgary is much too tough and they don’t play fair. It would be best to prepare …..
April 12th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I was directed to your blog through a Flames site, and I have to say great post. I’m a long time hockey fan and unfortunately suffer from chronic pain too. Your post really captured how awful the pain can get and yet what it means to be able to watch your team fight for what it (and the fans) want. I always respected Yzerman but now appreciate him, and all those players who play through/with pain, in a different way.
April 13th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Steve, BDH, & Duponceau- Thanks so much for your extremely kind comments.
AG & CG- Thanks for checking out BTJ! I’m glad you like what you see and I hope you continue to visit BTJ.
Doomsberry- Thanks for the doom and gloom!