A Speed Game

Come all you young players listen close while I sing

For the love of hockey is a demanding thing

Hopes can flourish and then burst into flame

Which makes it essential to learn and play A Speed Game

Your age matters a little, but your name matters far less.

The home that you come from may provide succor or stress

You've worked all your life for victory and fame

Now you must prove you can expertly play A Speed Game

It's many long years since you began to play

And Pee Wee and Juniors have gone by the way

You've read of your heroes, and you wanted the same

Now show them all you can play A Speed Game

Hockey is all that a great sport should be

For over a century it’s grown in popularity

You’ve given up youthful leisure to drill and to train

But it all comes to naught if you can’t play A Speed Game

For years you have tried hard in various roles

Now It is crunch time for your hopes and your goals

And I hope I spoke the truth and made it quite plain

To triumph, you must brilliantly play A Speed Game

Come all you young players and listen while I sing

Success in hockey is a challenging thing

It takes years of learning and a spirit aflame

And requires you skillfully play A Speed Game!

Inspired by Mike Sullivan’s answer to the question during game six v the Flyers: “Do you need to make it as physical as they’re trying to make it?” Coach Sullivan replied: “No we’re just trying to play our game. We’re trying to play a speed game.” 22 April 2018