Swimming with the Sharks

My sister and I, along with a friend were given free tickets to a hockey game last weekend. Now mind you, we are 1st & formost Rockford IceHogs fans. But the IceHogs were out of town, playing back-to-back games in Texas, so no chance of us attending those games. Tickets in hand, we jumped in the car this past Saturday and headed east to the AllState Arena to take in a game between the Chicago Wolves and the Quad City Flames. During the AHL IceHogs' debut season last year, it became an instant rivalry between the Wolves & the IceHogs, for both of the teams & their fans. Going to games at the AA has always been a little intimidating to say the least. While we've become friends with quite a few Wolves fans, there's always a few there who have to throw the verbal taunts & jabs. That's not to say that the IceHogs don't have their own "jerks" back at the BOB too. Every arena has them. I just try to not be that person.

So...we donned our IceHogs and Blackhawks jerseys and entered into enemy waters. Why wear IceHogs jerseys to a game that they aren't playing in you ask? Why not? Even better...sitting in seats 1 row behind the Wolves team bench...wearing said IceHogs jerseys. No, we didn't go looking for trouble. We were just showing support for our teams, while having a good time. Period. The looks & comments received from Wolves fans and the looks from Wolves players were priceless. LMFAO! Nancy and Chris had a grand old time standing up and cheering for QC when they scored too. Harmless fun. I sat there with them for the 1st frame, but then moved across the arena for the remainder of the game to sit with a good friend. I took a few hundred pics, visited with Jane and let her play a bit with my new camera. LOL, she has since ordered and just received today, her very own new Canon 50D. It was very much a planned purchase for her, but I think seeing & using my 50D may have spurred her into ordering it a few weeks earlier than originally planned. Sweeeeeeeet!

Tickets to a Wolves game - FREE

Miles driven - 140

Gas & Tolls - $20.00

Parking - $11.00

Supper - $ 4.44 each

Looks & Comments received - PRICELESS!!!

What is it about hockey players and spitting anyway?

Flame Broiled Hogs 3/6/09

Catch Up Hockey. That seems to be the game plan that the IceHogs have been following lately at home. Hello...this is not the way to win hockey games. Too many times this season, the Hogs have let the fans go home disappointed. What is it about a full house that makes the Hogs play badly? Now, don't get me wrong...not everybody can win every game. We'd like them to, but the reality is...for every winner, there's got to be a loser. They just seem to be going through the motions. Unmodivated? Uninspired? What's it goning to take to light a fire under the team? Who will be "that guy" that jump starts their team mates into playing good hockey again? Will someone please step up and be that guy.

Once again, the IceHogs turned in a lack luster performance. The Quad City Flames roasted the Hogs 4:1 this past Friday night in front of a crowd of 5119 in Rockford. Tim Hambly scored Rockford's lone goal late in the 3rd. Once again...too little, too late. Corey Crawford was lit up 3 times by the Flames before being replaced by Joe Fallon at the 12:47 mark of the 2nd frame. Crawford was handed the L, while the Flames' Leland Irving received the W. Congrats to the Flames, job well done.

I really don't have much faith in the IceHogs making it to the playoffs. Oh, they might make it into the first round, but if they continue to play as they are now...they won't make it into the second rounds. I really hope they prove me wrong.