Jigg's WJC Experience

[JigglyGumballs 1,056]

So first of all, congrats to USA for winning gold and congrats to Europe with their silver. Everyone in this tournament did great and we all are winners. Yes even Asia. Anyways, so how has the WJC been to our pal Jiggly Gumballs? What was his experience like being captain? What did he feel when they won bronze? What was his experience after it especially with the VHLM?? Well be patient you fucks I'm getting to it. (PS: This may be a bit of a long one)

 

 

Part 1: The Captain??

 

       So before we flew into London for the WJC, we had to wait for the team rosters to be announced. At the time, I was still in Ottawa since I still have the VHLM to deal with. My point production has been consistent and I was just making strides and making myself the best I can be. So here I was in my apartment, just waiting for the letter or email, or anything really. I was hoping I'd play for Canada. It's my home country and I'm literally playing in my country's capital in with the Lynx. Plus it was like a dream helping Canada get gold in hockey. I imagined the like, pride you get winning gold in Canada's sport. Standing tall, true north strong and free. I knew I was eligible and I honestly was hoping I would at least be able to play for Canada. So again, since it was nearing the WJC and I knew I was eligible, I was sorta anxious for that little note saying I've been selected to play in the WJC. I waited and waited, and then it came. Though not in the way I thought it'd be. I checked my email and there it was. I have been selected to play in the World Junior Championship for Team World. At first I was confused. Did I read that right? Team World? As it turns out, I wasn't selected for Canada. Instead I was given a chance with Team World. A team where anyone and everyone who is eligible cam play in. Soon enough, Canada's roster was made public and yep, I wasn't selected. As I looked at the roster, I realized how high the talent was in that defensive core. Players like Riley Knight Gee and James Rose, both former teammates are current friends, then guys like Matty Socks who's doing really well in Miami. I realized that there wouldn't be room for someone like me. It was a bit disappointing yeah, but I was a bit more glad that I was selected for World. So I packed all my things and left for London.

 

      So I flew into London before the WJC to meet up with the team and their GM, Plate. I then settled myself in the hotel, incidentally becoming roommates with Doug Dimmadome, owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome. Then we had the first few team meetings and practices before the tournament. It was at this time when the captaincies were announced. Apparently, the team had so much faith in me to the point where I'd be named captain for Team World. Excuse me what? This was my first time in the WJC, and I was expecting to be in Canada's LR when I ended up with World as leftovers. Now I'm the fucking captain? My first reaction to it was genuine surprise. I didn't expect to be in this position. I thought I was just gonna contribute to what I can while I follow someone more experienced as they lead the team. Yet here I was announced as the leader of Team World. It was at that moment when I fully embraced myself as a member of World. During that time I was still kinda disappointed for not being selected for Canada. Sure it was great that I get to play in Team World, but I would've preferred to be in Canada, my home country. However, after being named captain. I decided to flung myself into becoming World's leader. Ever since I was selected for World, I already had a couple of pranks planned. So why not do one of those pranks as my first act? I wanted to send a message. I am ready and driven to win gold for World. So that's the reason why I did the Globe prank. It was directed not only at my opponents, but to my team as well. I'm the captain here. I am Mr. Worldwide, and I'm ready to help lead the team to glory.

 

Part 2: Round Robin

 

    As the first game of the tourney, we were up against Team Europe, a pretty stacked team statistically, and in my mind, I could feel the pressure on me. People from all over the world are gonna be watching us. The "C" on my chest was already affecting me. I was suddenly nervous. Anxious even. It was my job as captain to act as a leader. The whole globe prank didn't help as that gave me  even more pressure towards the opposing players now. I wasn't like myself. I was a lot more serious and I didn't even bother to unscrew any bottle caps or tape skates. The first game of the round robin went and gone, and It was safe to say we got our asses beat. During the game, I felt a bit more comfortable and was getting used to the tourney but I was still not myself. Then the second game went by and another loss. I remember when it was post game and the coach had just finished his debriefing. I was supposed to say some words in order to motivate my team for next game. The problem was, I didn't know what to say. I was even questioning my legitimacy as captain. So all I did was tell the boys that we'll get them next game. I tried playing it cool in any sort of interview with the press. Yet I know my words were empty. The pressure was getting on me. The constant feeling of needing to succeed, needing to be a leader. The pressure to satisfy my teammates, the GM, the fans, everyone. It was suffocating. I would often stay up later than others and I would just think what I was doing wrong or what was I doing right. I had two points in the second game of the tourney and it was a close game that lead to OT, but I still felt like I wasn't performing. Then the third game against Asia came. It was different than the other two. I felt better, felt like I was doing better, and during second intermission, the coach was giving us a briefing. He emphasized that it doesn't matter if we win or lose, it was all about fun. Then realization struck me. This shit was about fun! I was actually having fun this game. That's why I was feeling better in this game. Sure it sounds fucking cheesy but why would you play the sport you love without having fun? I felt so stupid thinking that I was some sort of Captain Serious. With the third period starting soon, I took a deep breath and then came out of tunnel. Ready to have some fun.

 

   We ended up losing that game against Asia, and we only had a few more before the medal round. Things weren't looking too good, but I wasn't worried. Not anymore. For once I was motivated to just enjoy myself and win this shit in the process. What proceeded next was a completed 180. We started to dominate with guys like The Terrible Trivium, Gary Neal, Bo Burrows. That included with the roster shake up got us rolling to second in the round robin standings. As for me? Well I contributed 8 points in 8 games with 2 goals and 6 assists and a +3 in terms of +/-. I was finally playing my game and I did what I'm supposed to do as leader by just being myself. Confidence was high and now I was ready to for the medal rounds. That is what matters most as that's where gold lays.

 

Part 3: Bronze is Really Just Gold

 

     The medal rounds were now upon us and we were feeling pretty good. Our opponent was the US and whoever wins gets to go for gold. The game was close, and it was really competitive. Both teams knew that gold was on the horizon and only the goddess of victory knows which team will get that chance to grab it all. Well apparently the "goddess" of victory was just a bitch as we slipped away in the third and was promptly defeated. Hope was not lost though as we still had a chance for bronze. A nice consolation for our efforts. Of course we would still need to fight for it though. Our game came first so we had to wait for our bronze medal opponent as the US waited for their opponent for gold. Seems like fate is also a bitch as Canada ended up becoming our opponent for bronze. At that point, I was stoked. I was going against the very team that didn't select me for the WJC. The one team who left me to the hands of World, and now I have a chance to steal a medal from them.

 

   Soon enough it was game time. The objective was simple, play our best hockey and fuck over Canada in the process. The first period had us take a two goal lead. The second had Canada cut the lead in half. Though it was already too late. Momentum was already going in our favor as we bring back the two goal lead. The final goal in the third sealed our fate. We had fucking won. I'm pretty sure the team would've liked it more if we won gold. However to me, this was just as good as gold. Imagine this, Canada didn't even get a medal as they lose in the bronze medal game against the team that went 0-3 in the beginning of the round robin. That same team also had a FUCKING CANADIAN as a captain. I'm not saying that Canada would've been more successful with me, but I'm just emphasizing how much of an insult it would be to lose out to a team lead by a Canadian when you're Team Canada. And I basked in all of that glory. Maybe the goddess of victory isn't so much of a bitch after all.

 

Part 4: Post WJC

 

   So back in the VHLM, things aren't doing too great for me. I've been in a bit of a point slump recently but it isn't too much of a worry. I must still be a bit tired from the WJC. Apart from that, things have been going swell. Heck, if I ever were to come back to the WJC next season, I want to come back to Team World. I've had a bunch of ups and downs but I really enjoyed being with World. Though by that time, I don't think Canada would actually risk letting me leave to World a second time. So hopefully by then, I think it'll be nice to lead a team from a different perspective. It would be interesting to see myself playing for my country hopefully next season. Hope the people back home don't hate me like they do now though. I've heard shit like "Jiggs betrayed his country" and all of that bullshit. All I could say is that anything goes in the game of hockey. I can't back down from my team for the sake of my country when the World's fate is on me and my team. So to all those who say I betrayed my country, I'm glad I had the chance to in the first place.

 

(1984 Words)

 

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People mentioned: @KnightRiley @MattyIce @Plate @Esso2264 @fishy @der meister @LittleRiDog @Walter Fizz