Game #35 Panthers W5-2

Keep on rolling

We had a set back last week when we faced 2 of our division rivals but we started off this week just fine and continue to roll with another big win heading into our first match up against our hated rivals (and Winter Classic opponent) Washington Capitals.
I knew my friend Drew Carter was coming up for holidays and I asked him a while back if he wanted to go with me to this game. Of course he did but he needed to work out his trip schedule as this would be a day or so earlier than what he originally anticipated coming up. Luckily he was able to swing this and he left the day before so he had plenty of time to get up here and get back into sorts (after the 12 hour drive). He was right on time picking me up and as usual we loaded up on foods and drinks and headed down to the lot.

NHL.com recap

• Ben Lovejoy scored the first goal of his NHL career (31 games) and added his first fight for good measure before leaving the game after taking a shot to the face.
• Matt Cooke scored in consecutive games for the first time since March 27-28, 2010.
• Brent Johnson earned the victory and was credited with an assist before leaving after the second period with a groin injury.
• Beej also let up a goal on the first shot as we seem to be doing a lot this year.
• Crosby kept his scoring streak alive (22 games) with a rare blow-it-by-him slapshot down the left wing that beat Tomas Vokoun.
• Vokoun was pulled in the 1st period after Cookie made it 3-0
  

Drew was pumped to get his face in an All-Time Team picture. He loved the new arena as well. I was glad he was fit enough to book it up all those steps. I think he even bought me a beer or two when we were in there. I was super pumped he was able to make it out with me to see this game.

uwvark27's 2010-11 record: 6-2

Game #30 Leafs W5-2

We Are Unstoppable

Originally I had invited Matt Weyandt with me to this game for his birthday but he told me the week before that he needed to work so he couldn't make it. I had Nate scheduled to ask for a later game but after I told him I had an opening for this game he was all too willing and we were set. Since Nate was working in Moon today I didn't have to really go anywhere or wait for anybody so I shot right down to the lot. So quickly in fact that it was too early for me to get in at the reduced price! I had to go kill some time so I found a spot on the side of the road and read some Harry Potter on my phone until I could get in. Once I got in I started drinking and chatting with Ale waiting for Nate. Unfortunately for him he was stuck in Pittsburgh rush hour traffic on the wrong side of the tunnel and I couldn't wait any longer. I walked down to the Souper Bowl and got a table and ordered food. I saw a Toronto fan in there and asked them if they were here for the first game but they were not. Things in the standings were a lot different then at that time. As soon as our wings got there Nate walked in. Perfect timing. We ate and walked over to the arena.

NHL.com recap

• It only took about 8 mins for Crosby to get going with his first goal of the night he finished with 2 and I was worried I was going to lose another hat.
• Letestu also had 2 goals, his first since his season opening hot streak stopped (22 games).
  
• Orr and Engelland had a rematch fight and Engelland pounded the crap out of Orr for real. The NHL fighting torch has been passed. (Actually it was kind of close but still a win for our guy)
  
• There were a ton more fights too that kept the excitement level high the whole game.
• Some idiot behind us said something in the 3rd period about Fleury getting a shut-out. We both turned around and yelled at him and sure enough not 2 mins later Toronto scored. I should have kicked the shit out of that guy.
  
• We this victory we took over the #1 spot in the NHL with the most points (42).
• This was the 3rd game in the row Malkin sat out with a knee injury.
• Nate met and got a picture with Gene Simmons
• Dupuis had an amazing 2-on-0 shorthanded goal.
• I finally saw a win against Toronto!! (previously 0-4)
  

Since no one really reads my blog I decided to make an album in Facebook with all these pictures as well so more people can see them. Now when people come with me they should know that this action is required and I didn't have any issues dragging Nate over to the kiosk.


uwvark27's 2010-11 record: 5-2

Game #27 Thrashers W3-2

The Streak Continues

I decided to ask my good friend Billy (Carl) from work to go with me to this game. I often talk to him about hockey and sports in general around the water cooler when things slow down at work and since I was moving to a different department I figured this would be a nice thing for us to do as I wouldn't be seeing Billy around too much after that.
We left on the shuttle together to go back to the lot and we got in his car. I gave him a few suggestions of what the usual plan is and where I usually go to eat food before the game but he didn't seem to want to do any of that and he actually suggested Taco Bell to me. : I was not eating at Taco Bell sorry. We ended up doing something we haven't done in a while. We went to D's in Regent Square. We went there a few times when he first started for beers and food after work but we haven't done it in years. It was a good time. We got good food had a few beers and it wasn't packed at all.
Now I don't know why but when we left instead of shooting right down to the arena, Billy decided to go some weird way that I never would have guessed. He went back down Washington Blvd and sort of went down along the river, the North Shore, to get there. I was very trafficy on that side but we had time and there was really no hurry anyway. We made it with plenty of time and I guided him to the $5 lot. It was time for some hockey!!

NHL.com recap

• All fans in attendance received a free scarf.
• Crosby had his first ever natural hat trick.
• I had to throw my scarf.
• It was his 2nd consecutive hat trick at home.
• Has 21 goals in 27 games. Tied for league lead, fastest he's ever scored that many.
• Bryan Little scored on the power play breaking our streak of 30 straight kills. We're still 1st in the league in that stat.
• Ass Ham had a sweet fight with former Penguin Chris Thorburn 2 mins into the game.
• After the 1st period one of the ice girls rammed into the boards at a high rate of speed when she went to hop off the ice. She appeared to be okay afterwards.
• After the 2nd period while attempting to get out of the way of the zamboni a guy fell and then the guy with him fell when he tried to help him up. Luckily the zamboni was able to steer around them before they got creamed.
• I saw a cameraman up in the upper bowl for the 1st time this year. He may have been up there because some section won free hot dogs and he needed to get footage of that and he wasn't just up there randomly. We'll see.
• Fleury is 9-0-1 in his last 10 games after that horrific start.
• Pens winning streak is at 8 and we took sole possession of 1st place in the division with this victory.

When I was telling Billy about the picture thing and steering him up the stairs over to the corner he fell behind or something and used his ticket to get in before we got the picture. He couldn't get back out after that and I was a little distressed. Luckily they allow you to go down there after the 1st period and we got to snap our photo at that time so we didn't miss this opportunity. You can see here that I did own one of those scarves for a few hours.

uwvark27's 2010-11 record: 4-2