Moving up the floor, the game is on the line. Playing sudden death overtime against a team who beat yours by more than 10 goals just a few years ago, the crowd is on the edge of their seats. The shot is fired…

GOAL!!!

The stands erupt into frenzy. Parents, siblings, and fans are thrilled. But instead of being the spectator, instead of being the sibling, you’re the one who is the athlete. The cheers are for YOU and YOUR team.

Here’s the big difference, though. The fans aren’t cheering because you are inspirational and heroic. They’re cheering because you won a real game with real rules against a worthy opponent. The scoreboard is on, the loser actually lost, and, most importantly, you know that you actually had to work your ass off for the win.

This is the beauty of power hockey. This is the beauty of the Philadelphia PowerPlay.

Since the fall of 2003, the Philadelphia PowerPlay has been playing hockey and destroying the stereotype of the inspirational “handicapped hero”, the person that is the subject of condescending hero worship just because they sit in a wheelchair and live their lives.

Burying the lede a bit, power hockey is just like ice hockey, except without the ice. Some players can hold their sticks, while some bolt or duct-tape them to their wheelchairs. The teams consist of two wingers, a center, a defense-man and a goalie. Add a basketball court, two nets, and a wiffle ball and you’re playing one of the most fun and exciting sports on four wheels. In an adaptive sports world full of manual chairs, power hockey also stands out by being played strictly by power wheelchair users.

The team started as a group of kids looking for an outlet for their speed and competitive nature, but it has evolved into a team that plays in national and international tournaments, winning the United States championship this past summer.

The Philadelphia PowerPlay began as a team, but for most of us, it’s a family. If you want to ditch the “Good for you” and “You’re a hero” mentality, maybe you should join our family.

For more information, visit www.philadelphiapowerplay.com.

Pat Hilferty is a native of Drexel Hill, a suburb of Philadelphia. An avid Flyers fan, he founded the Philadelphia PowerPlay in the fall of 2003. He currently maintains the website of both the PowerPlay and his local church. His goal is to expand the Philadelphia PowerPlay and continue to enrich lives through hockey.