He shoots .......He scores !

Last night I attended my very first NHL hockey game. Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators. I was not disappointed !

We left home abit early to make sure we knew where we were going and to make sure we could get something to eat before the game started. We found parking across the road for $15. A small price to pay to be able to only have to walk across the street in the cold ! however upon leaving realized these lots clear out the slowest and the streets are blocked for a good hour or so.

We walked into the arena. I love to walk into a big building i have never been in before and just take a moment to look around. The entire foyer is glass and quite splendid. The security guards were making everyone open their jackets and bags and purses. The display of shirts and hats and souvenirs was fun! So off we went , handed over our tickets and we were IN ! We proceeded up stairs to the level we needed to enter our seats on. We were both hungry so we got some french fries to hold us over until after the first period.

As we walked to our isle to enter our seats, we found our good friends nibbling pizza and leaning up against the wall. What a treat ! we chatted for a bit, and decided to meet up after for a bite. Off to our isle, down the stairs to our wicked seats. Row 5! wow ! first time at a game, we couldn't have asked for better seats ! I could see the players right up close and hear the crunching into the boards. What an experience.

My favorite part of any sporting event is the singing of the national anthem. I love to see a crowd of people stand in respect and love to hear them sing along and share in a massive moment of pride. What a surprise when the little bald man who always sings at games, came out to sing last night ! What a wonderful voice. He did our Canadian anthem proud ! and i heard many people singing along. Of course when he started the American anthem more people sang along, since we were in Buffalo..........but i found myself singing along to that one as well !

The first goal of the game scored by Buffalo was a wonderful moment. The crowd is on their feet the noise is so loud and I think you can literally feel the happiness in the air. Its contagious! and soon i found my self hoping that Buffalo scored again. Oh and they did three more times !

I am constantly astounded at the good or bad a huge crowd can bring. Over 18,000 people last night sang in unison, cheered together, slapped high fives with complete strangers beside them when a goal was scored, pass beers down the row when the guy in the middle buys one from the vendor, joined in on strangers conversations and laughed at random comments from around their seats. Then on the flip side we see on the news alot lately, the crowds of very angry and frustrated people in the East who are rioting, and stampeding. Many people in a crowd can be good or bad. I prefer the happy calm crowds. Aren't we blessed to live in such a wonderful country?

The night ended well , with our Ottawa Senators losing 4-2 and with me not realizing the Mike Fisher was traded to the Nashville team, slightly ironic since his wife is Carrie Underwood and is a country singer in Nashville................ things that make you go hmmmm? but overall loved the game, loved the crowd, loved the cheering, loved seeing good friends , loved the massive flag that crowd surfed its way around the entire arena, loved that my friend said "i wonder how many hands have touched this flag tonight?", loved the children on the jumbo tron, loved the red wigs, loved the Griswold Chicago blackhawks jersey, loved the greasy french fries, loved the quebec nordiques jersey, huh? , loved the singing, loved the laughing, loved the national anthems, loved the mascot "Sabretooth" entering the arena on a rope from the ceiling and his funny antics, loved the smiles, and loved the happiness last night !

This was my first game , but i can tell you it wont be my last ! and i cant wait to proudly wear my Iginla jersey to the next one ! Calgary flames here I come ! hmmmm where to get a red wig ?