What the “Puck”??

Tonight my wife, Amanda, and I joined her sister and her fiance for a night of relaxation, fun, and HOCKEY!  After dropping the kids off with our most trusted babysitter (thanks, mom!) we jetted up to the Pepsi Center just in time to remain standing for the national anthem.  Although this was only my second time attending a professional hockey game, and even though I still don’t know all the rules, I sure had a great time…

I found myself on the edge of my seat, rooting for my favorite hockey team (I just decided that right now) to “Shoot the dang puck, already!”  The Colorado Avalanche were down most of the game, trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning 0-1 until late in the third period.  Then the crowd literally erupted when Colorado tied it up with a mangled-mess-of-a-shot by some dude who just became a state-wide hero.  I had never seen a hockey game go into overtime, but here we were…

After limited action and absolutely ZERO fights!    in the 5-minute overtime period, I discovered the infamous “Shootout”.  I have to admit, it was pretty exciting to see professional hockey players going 1-on-1 against the opposing goalie, all to determine to whom the spoils go.  It was even more exciting when the same Avs player who tied the game to send it into overtime (if that’s what it’s even called in hockey) strutted his stuff and scored the go-ahead goal to win the shootout and ultimately the game.  What a wild night!

In addition to great company, good food, and hockey, I experienced what I dub the “orbital entertainment” of an Avalanche game at the Pepsi Center.  From on-ice figure skating to “fan-in-the-stands” contests and even free Chipotle burritos, the fanatical crowd was entertained throughout the entire night.  It really was an awesome experience (especially since MY team won!)  lol…

Now…  If I can only get my hockey-playing buddies to teach me the sport; I could see myself using hockey as a stress-reliever on occasion!

Thank you to my sister-in-law, Samantha, and her fiance Tavis, for inviting us along.  We both had a great time.

See you on the ice!

PS- Happy Birthday Tavis!!