Go, Leafs, Go!

Five short days after our fun of watching Tampa vs. Pittsburgh we went to another hockey game. Love 'em or hate 'em,  seeing a Canadian team play was pretty neat even if it was the Leaf's. I have no loyalties to any hockey team other than the one Brandon is presently on. However, I have been known to cheer for the Leaf's on more than one occasion. In Canada we would never be able to take our entire family to see the Leaf's play even in the nose bleed seats. Here in the south, well, tickets aren't so expensive. We took our family of 5 for less than the price of 1 ticket to see them play at the Air Canada Centre!

Learning from our previous experience regarding being at ice level before the game, we made sure we were there. Brandon and Amy left our seats and headed down about 45 mins. early. Brandon secured his spot right in the corner at the lowest part next to the tunnel where the players come out onto the ice. Yup, that is my boy, getting himself right in the spot he wanted, not even moving over for little kids to see players. He stuck to his guns and stayed in his spot the entire practice. He was rewarded by Hi-Fiving every player as they exited the ice! I loved being at ice level for the warm up. It was something to see the players up close and watching their skill.

Warming up for the game. I have no idea who these particular players are. Well I can see who #4 is.

It was pretty exciting to be in the crowd this time. There were so many Canadian's in attendance. Most of the people around us were cheering for Toronto, which didn't impress the Tampa fans next to us. I enjoyed singing O' Canada for the first time in a while.  Again, so many in the audience were singing you could hear them. The previous hockey game the Stars Spangled Banner was sung, but it didn't seem right watching a hockey game without O'Canada.

Phaneuf looks intense!                                                                Players warming up.

During the game our row was chosen for a 'spot' during a commercial break. The Tampa Bay TV Host came to our row with a TV camera & crew. We were given t-shirts promoting the new 'Arthur Christmas' movie coming out. We were featured on the jumbo tron during the 'spot'. The promoter came around and took our picture for his organization. The funny part, the people sitting next to us were so angry because we weren't even Tampa fans. They got angry we were chosen for the spot, trying to block us from the pictures being taken and yelling at the hostess for choosing us.  Keith and I got a good laugh at them. After seeing their anger at us we cheered even more for the Leaf's every time they scored. We had plenty of opportunity to cheer as they won 7-1.

I mentioned to someone down here that we were going to another hockey game. She asked me if that would be my fill for the season. I looked at her, laughed, and I said, 'No, I have a lot more hockey to watch before I have my fill for the season!'