I'm new playing in a women's rec.
Hey, I am a new women's rec player (some men play to fill out the team - vetted friends of the female players only), First game last night was trial by fire. My team mates made it clear I was not liked at first in the locker room. The organizer welcomed me and taught me how to get into the gear she kindly loaned. Then beside the ice was told which goal to shoot for, and JUST GO. Loved it! After, team mates gave me great tips and talked to me. I guess I passed the first trial.
Questions follow.
There was zero checking, I managed to touch the puck in the right direction, fell over hard (got picked up and hauled to bench), got knocked smooth down, landed flat for unknown reasons and got cheers for getting up. I could barely move last night and am just a little sore today.
How do I not piss off my team mates?
How do I get good so no one has to play softly against me?
Does getting knocked down/falling over start to happen/hurt less?
Why does anyone need a mouth guard with a cage face mask?
I'm buying my gear as I can afford it, starting with a jill.