I follow four teams--the Chiefs, Avs, Illini football and Illini basketball. From the end of the hockey season in April/May to the start of football season, I've got no teams. But there's a stretch of time when all four teams are playing. This year it's from November 14 to November 29. From when the Illini start playing basketball until they stop playing football.
When we were in college, it felt like Illinois always played Northwestern in football right around my birthday. I remember thinking that was one thing I wanted as a present, an Illinois win.
Anyways, for perhaps the first time, I went to see one of my teams play live on my birthday.
- - -
This would also be Brit's first real hockey game. We took the boys in the spring, but sat in a suite and spent far more time walking the concourse than we did watching hockey.
We had good seats, the first time I've been in the upper deck, but also the first time I've sat at center ice. Also, the first time I got a good view of the new HD screen.
The seats feel virtually like the same angles as watching on TV. Good side to side action. I actually prefer the lower bowl even if it's behind the net because I like to feel and hear the action, but this was great viewing and Brit liked the seats a lot.
I told Brit I had a prediction. 3-2. I didn't say which team.
It was 0-0 in the first when I told Brit that Carolina's not very good. Three seconds later they scored. It was 2-0 Carolina, 5 minutes into the game. Not a great start. The Hurricanes scored to make it 3-1 late in the first. Roy pulled the 2nd string goalie, and put in Pickard, the AHL callup. (Varlamov is day to day with a groin injury.)
At this point, I told Brit that Carolina could get 6 goals.
The Avs couldn't complete a pass. They couldn't get it out of their zone with possession. They played very poorly.
After the first period, I got monster chicken nachos. It was still 3-1 when Pickard made the save of the game.
A few minutes later, Johnson scores and it's 3-2 with 31 minutes to play. (So my prediction was right!)
Colorado played better in the 2nd and 3rd, but still trailed with 6 minutes to go in the game. MacKinnon had some real chances on net but couldn't get anything to go in.
And then...
Tied up 5 to play. Now we're either getting another goal or it's going to a shootout. Either way, at least one more puck is going in the net tonight.
With two minutes to go, one did.
After that, Carolina pulled their goalie and there were some chances but nothing serious. The Avs comeback and win 4-3.
It's hard to believe but for the first time since I've moved here.
Pretty rad.
No comments:
Post a Comment