Bees try to have some fun before tough stretch

HIDALGO — What was supposed to be a breezy three-on-three tournament at practice Thursday just kept going and going.

And going. And going some more.

Finally, after the final game stayed tied for about 15 minutes as six tired players struggled on extremely snowy ice, forward Aaron Lee beat Wylie Rogers in the sixth round of a shootout, giving him and teammates Sean Muncy and Mike Harr the tournament title over runners-up Nathan Ansell, Justin Kanigan and Matt Sweazey. By the time of Lee’s decisive goal, the Bees (6-5-2) had been practicing for well over two hours.

Though the proceedings went a bit longer than anybody anticipated, they did look like they were having fun.  And before the start of a stretch of six games in 10 days that begins with a matchup Friday against defending CHL champion Texas, having fun and loosening up was the point of Thursday’s practice.  

“It was a nice change for sure,” Lee said. “But, it gets a little tiring and a little competitive too. We had a little wager on the line too, so… it was a good, fun day.”

By the end of the final game, many players were sitting on top of the boards, looking like kids half their age. Bees coach Chris Brooks, who along with assistant Sean Gillam participated, was wearing his cap backward while cheering for someone, anyone, to finally end the game.

When Lee scored, the Bees skated off the Dodge Arena ice quickly. Well, as quick as they could after such a long practice on such a snowy ice surface.

“It’s been a long couple weeks with the road trips and stuff,” Brooks said, referring to a recent stretch of five games in seven days. “It’s good to play that stuff. Work on man-to-man defense and at the same time, have fun.

“Hopefully the guys had a good time and will get ready for tomorrow.”

Lee, still basking in the glory of his goal, recognized the importance of occasionally mixing things up during a grinding part of the schedule.

“I think when you’re constantly harping on systems and constantly coming to the rink working hard, it’s always nice to have a change-up day and come out here and have some fun and getting back to your roots,” Lee said. “I think those goaltenders were definitely exhausted as much as we were. It’s always nice to win.”

ICING: Forward Jesse Bennefield did not practice Thursday because of what Brooks called “soreness.” … Defenseman Jason Seerey, acquired Wednesday from Allen for future considerations, is expected to arrive in the Valley on Friday.

Brian Sandalow covers the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.