We went to the Pirates game on Saturday night and L. was enamoured with the player cards she received.
The "most embarrasing hockey moment" on Joe Callahan's card had her really laughing.
"Went to wrong bench to start the game in college."
It became even more amusing to L. when one of the Pirates players was checked and fell head first into the Bruins team box at this game. (And nope, it wasn't Callahan; he wasn't playing).
G. was very disappointed in me for missing that photo op though. It was over so fast I never had a chance to get my camera.
But I redeemed myself somewhat with the scoreboard during the third period when the clock stopped and we noticed all the 3s on the board.
L. and I saw a great Pirates game last night as they shut out the Bruins. It started with an unlikely sight and wrapped up in true hockey form. It was a fun night to be a fan in the stands.
The Maine Suzuki youth orchestra piled on to the ice to play the National Anthem.
And they were good.
Then with less than two minutes left to play in the game, a big fight broke out and six players (three from each team) were tossed out of the game. It was a big melee and the crowd was on their feet the whole time -- and of course there were especially loud cheers at the waving exit.
L. was her chatty self in the stands with her Webkinz monkey CheeChee wearing a slightly too-small Pirates t-shirt (from her other game mascot).
"Pirates get a goal!"
"They don't get a goal."
She was also busy remaking the face of her balloon monkey because it didn't look enough like a girl. Apparently she needed eyelashes and a smiling mouth of teeth.
I also caught a shot of the Chuck-A-Puck clean-crew per Andrew's request of Seen Team last night (which was overdue -- sorry it took so long to catch up with you guys!).
I have to share this video L. and I found on YouTube, which we looked for after reading Mike Hoffman's blog entry. L. watched it several times because she couldn't stop laughing at the guy eating with his gloves on.
After our ski trip to Fort Kent, the kids were pretty subdued during the Pirates game on New Year's Eve. But they did find the energy to cheer on the team after each of the 3 goals and their win over the Devils last night.
The stands were packed with fans and in typical form, everyone loved making noise with their bam-bams.
We also managed to record one of the goals (the second one of the night) made by Segal and Christie.
And the pee-wee players out on the ice between periods were too cute not to catch a little of their game on video -- including a goal and an impressive save.
The girls really enjoyed the fireworks show after the game, especially the High School Musical tunes.
The Pirates played a great game last night, beating the Worcester Sharks 6-3.
It was a fun game to be a fan in the stands. There was plenty to yell and cheer about as you can see in this video. And just for the record, my crew was very happy to hear the old "Hey" goal song back in action (the one they ditched just wasn't as much fun).
6 Goals, 1 night
And I actually caught one of the goals on video (doesn't always happen that I have the camera on at the right time but I got lucky)
Dixon's Goal
Since the team was on a roll scoring goals, the behind-the-scenes guys got on one too with the music selections. The crowd in our section loved it.
Music fun at Pirates games
The highlight of the game for L. and her friend A. (beyond the team playing well and winning of course!) was the balloon guy. L.'s been begging me at every game we've been to this season to get a balloon animal. I finally gave her the $2 to get one last night.
The Pirates changed the song played after the team scores a goal this season. L. and I have chatted about the change several times because she doesn't like it so much. It's also hard to hear compared to the old "Hey" song so I'm not even sure exactly what the tune actually is.
The Bam-Bams were back at the Pirates game last night and the girls were all smiles about that. The guys drinking beer next to me said they'd apologize at the beginning of the game for the occasional curse word they might utter during the game around my kids. I supposed I should have done something similar for the family sitting in front of us for the random swing of the Bam-Bams by my crew. But it was an enthusiastic and pleasant crowd in our section and everyone got along just fine.
We were a little late getting to the game so I didn't make my way around the stands for Seen Team like I usually do but the fans I did catch were all decked out in their Pirates gear. Seen Team at the game last night
MaineToday also has a new Pirates FAN page where you can upload your own game photos, post commentary about the game and read Eric Weinrich's blog. We compiled some videos on a YouTube playlist for this season so if you catch some video from a game this year let me know and I'll get it on the playlist!
L. wanted to know if she and her friend A. could be Seen Team's "Fan of the Night" sometime but I told her the Seen Team couldn't choose themselves. She was willing (although reluctantly) to forgo the prize -- a really spiffy orange water bottle with the Seen Team logo and free tickets to another game -- because she just wanted her and A.'s picture to be on the scoreboard.
As things have a way of working out, she and A. did end up catching the eye of the roaming video camera during their enthusiastic rendition of YMCA and had their 10 seconds of fame on the board last night. They couldn't have been happier about it.
This year Standish Recreation started a new field hockey recreation program. It's basically an intro program for the sport for girls in grades 2-5 that only requires one afternoon per week commitment to participate. L. has been asking me to find a place for her to learn and play the game ever since USM's Girl Sports day back in February so I signed her up.
It turned out that the program needed volunteers so I offered to help with the caveat that I knew absolutely nothing about the game. That turned out to be OK so I'm learning right along with the kids from Bonnie Brown-Denico, USM's field hockey coach who is running the program.
L. is always one for saying what's on her mind. My favorite quote of the day from her was:
"You can't slap-shoot the field hockey ball like the Pirates. Did you know that mom? I like this girl hockey game a lot better for me to play."
L. went on and on about how much she liked field hockey in the car after her first practice. Then she wanted to know when the Pirates had their first game because she was really excited about the new season starting since she's involved in 'hockey' now.
Turns out their first pre-season home game is just around the corner - Saturday, September 29.
I guess I have to stop by and pick up tickets this weekend!
Yesterday my co-worker Erin gave my family an AWESOME gift -- a hockey helmet worn by one of the Portland Pirates players (#16 Simon Ferguson) and signed by each team member!
The kids - especially L - were THRILLED when I showed it to them at home.
Of course L. had to wear it around the house for a while, which forced G. to follow her so she could try to decipher the signatures.
Now we have to find place of honor in our house for this prized possession ... and count down the days until opening night of the 2007-08 season.
Cheering (a.k.a. yelling), jumping around and laughing was how the kids and their friend A. enjoyed last night's Pirates game, which was a win without OT.
When L. and her friend A. get together at a game they need some space for their combined enthusiasm for all things game-related. From the action on the ice (which requires loud cheers and boos from them) to the songs and such that happens between periods.
G. was sitting next to the crazy fans, which were moved to sit in a row of empty seats behind our original ones so they didn't bother the people in our row sitting next to them.
I caught L. and A. on video at a previous game from a distance (they were sitting with A.'s dad); this time I got a closer view to record the 'action.'
And BTW, the girls have found a new appreciation for "Sweet Caroline" -- they just jump around for the length of the song.
"It's a fun song when we do that!" L. declared. "Yeah!" agreed A.
We went to the Pirates game last night to take Seen Team pictures and enjoy the game. We also recorded some video so we could fulfill the request for a video clip of the the P-I-R-A-T-E-S chant from SVRA (or at least I think we did). I didn't have the best vantage point to record the guys but with kids in tow, you can only do so much moving around at a game.
L. helped me out with the pictures for Seen Team which I very much appreciated. It was a little tricky at the last game for me to manage the roll of stickers while taking pictures walking through the Civic Center stands. Well, and I chat with people too so it gets tricky to multi-task. Basically, I'm spoiled having L.'s help with Seen Team most of the time.
Seen Team pictures
(BTW, we had several people ask us to take their pictures for Seen and we LOVED that so keep on asking when you see us -- we'll be at the April 1 game next).
G. had the video camera most of the time and we have several new video clips on MaineToday.com's YouTube channel. We caught a few of the shoot-out goals at the end (we caught 3 out of 4 before we had a memory card "full" message) and some goalie saves by Coleman. G. got a little carried away with the video and I'm still sifting through it all.
I wanted to mention the "Pirate for a Day" poll that is underway. There are 3 Pirates fans hoping to win the contest and be a real Pirate for a day so take a minute to watch the videos and vote! Vote for your favorite Pirates fan
As I headed out the door with Grandpa to go to last night's Pirates game, L. was still in tears. She couldn't go to the big game against the Hershey Bears because she had a Snow White performance. I left her with assurances that we have tickets to 3 more games before the end of the season but she didn't care. THIS was the big game of the season as far as she was concerned (although she didn't give up chocolate this time).
And even though they didn't win, it was quite a game. The fans for both teams were really enthusiastic. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen so many visiting fans as I did last night. There were Bears shirts everywhere I turned.
Since I didn't have L. with me I decided to talk to one of the Bears fans (which I NEVER could have gotten away with if she was there) while I was walking through the stands taking photos for Seen Team. I found out there were 6 bus loads of Bears fans that came north for the game and that there were lots of other "local" fans in attendance too. I took pictures of some of the visiting fans simply because they had a lot of fun paraphernalia.
And I have to mention this because there has been much discussion about it at our house this season -- Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" song. I have talked previously about me thinking it's a weird choice to play at a hockey game. But this season we haven't heard it and that got L. thinking recently that maybe that was why the team isn't winning any of the games we attend (the last win we saw at the Civic Center was back on Dec. 18). She's serious about her superstitions.
But last night that song came on and Grandpa and I had a good chuckle. I told L. when I got home that although they played it, the team still didn't win. She wasn't willing to give up her theory just yet though. She still thought maybe she'd have to go to the next game and hear the song to make sure that wasn't the reason the team hasn't won lately.
The team did play well last night during the second and third periods (well, in my new'ish-to-hockey humble opinion). And Caron made some great saves in the goal. There wasn't a fan in the stands on either side of the rink that wasn't cheering on their favorite team. It was definitely one loud night at the Civic Center.
As I mentioned, Seen Team will be at a few more games this season so if you see us taking pictures in the stands come over and say hello. We're always looking for an enthusiastic fan for our "Fan of the Night" picture on the scoreboard!
Seen Team at the Pirates: Friday, March 23Sun., April 1Sun., April 15
[Update: video of kids' reaction to songs at hockey game shot last season] Sweet Caroline
It's a sleepy song, not a hockey song -- well, at least that's how it seems to the kids.
The Pirates were in the lead through most of the game last night but then the Devils tied up the game in the third period and the Pirates lost in overtime.
The highlight of the game for L. though was this image.
A fellow Pirates player helps Amadio after he dropped his gloves with a Devils player by bringing them to the penalty box with his stick.
"The sticks are wearing gloves! They have stick mittens." (You can hear her declaration at the end of the Amadio fight video.)
But L. still had plenty of enthusiasm for the Pirates and their give-away promotions at the game last night. And when she met up with her good friend A. - an equally big Pirates fan - they really got into jumping and arm-waving during the game (being inside all day can do that to a kid).
This short video clip (yeah, there was more as A.'s dad can attest to sitting with the two girls) sort of says it all.
We also took some Seen Team pictures at the game and a video clip of Eric Weinrich, a former Pirates assistant coach and now player for the team, as well. Seen Team at the game
I really enjoyed the latest Checking In blog entry about hockey player's "rituals" before a game. I guess players have just as many superstitions about how a hockey game is won as L. does.
But I would say that L.'s ideas about good luck are all over the map. When the Pirates were facing the Hershey Bears, she dictated that our family give up chocolate.
Another case in point is the new no-eating-chocolate rule instituted by L. She came home from Thursday night's Pirates game disappointed that they didn't win.
"I'm going to give those Bear guys bad luck. I am NOT eating chocolate anymore. That will help the Pirates win!"
But after listening to the game last night, the kids and I decided we had to go to the next game in person to cheer on the team.
"We might be good luck mom!"
And the one thing last season that L. believed was the worst luck for the Pirates was bringing Grandpa to the game with us. I made a podcast of the kids talking about going to games last season and L. talked about the fact that every game we brought Grandpa with us during the regular season, the team lost. She referred to him as "bad llama luck."
I believe it was by Rodney Dangerfield who said, "I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out." Well, last night's Pirates game had more fights than usual as the team lost without scoring a single goal.
It was a bummer of a game and even though I managed to catch pieces of some - not all - of the fights on video, I always cringe when they happen. And the girls shrink down in their seats and half close their eyes until it's over.
G. was really sad about the team not playing well and suggested that the coaches, "weren't teaching the player right." I told her that was very unlikely as sometimes a team just has an off night.
Then during the middle of the third period, G. said we should leave the game early because they weren't going to win (the other team had just scored their 5th goal and the Pirates still had none). I reminded her that we were not fair-weather fans and that sometimes we were going to go to games when the team didn't win. G., bless her worry-type personality, was simply having a hard time watching the team lose.
L. didn't like that the team was losing either and decided that they'd win the next game. And in typical fashion, decided that they were losing because, "we need a good luck charm. Grandpa has to come to the next game so they will win." When in doubt, L. always resorts to some random superstitions to help her favorite team.
We took a bunch of Seen Team photos at the game and this was L.'s favorite.
At the last minute L. and I decided to go to the Pirates game on Saturday night. MaineToday.com is helping out with the "Pirate for a Day" contest and we wanted a sneak peak preview on the video entries being made before the game.
SUBWAY Restaurants "Pirate for a Day" Contest: Only 50 fans will have a chance to record their "Why I should be a Pirate for a Day?" video entry at the game. Save your SUBWAY cash register receipts; the more you have, the closer to the front of the line you move! You’ll have :15 to catch the eyes of the judges, other Pirates fans! Costumes, jerseys and other props are acceptable! Must be 18 to qualify.
Some entries were pretty straight-forward (person stands and talks about reasons why they want to win) while others did a lot of jumping around and screaming. The online voting (MaineToday's piece of the project) should be a lot of fun and I'll let you know when that is ready to launch (a couple of weeks mostly likely).
"Pirate for a Day" contest
Even though the team lost the game in a shootout, it was pretty intense during the last minute of regulation play when the team huddled-up for a time out and then within 30 seconds scored the goal that forced the game into over-time. And as luck would have it (it was shear luck) - I managed to catch that goal on video.
And I have just have to say that in my humble, new-to-the-game opinion that the Pirates DID score a goal during the game even though it was ruled a no-goal by the officials. Actually, that was what prompted a big fight on the ice near the Hartford goal. Even the Pirates goalie (Grumet-Morris) skated into the melee to wrestle - and pin - the Hartford goalie. That's not an every game occurrence.
The scoreboard even showed the replay of the action several times and it was REALLY clear that the puck cleared the line. The crowd - including the girls and grandpa - were in a really big huff about that!
OK, I'm still trying to get over it and hoping Eric Weinrich, the assistant coach for the Portland Pirates, will blog about the call. Anyway, I just wish I had my camera out at the time; instead I only caught a piece of the aftermath...
Before the game I was taking photos for Seen Team. When the girls walked into the Civic Center with grandpa (they caught a ride with grandpa since I had to work at the office earlier) they knew immediately that I had already arrived. They thought this sight was highly amusing.
Actually, the crowd at the game last night was great. There were a lot of festive revelers and it made taking photos for Seen Team even more enjoyable. Seen Team at the game
During Chuck-A-Puck someone's puck landed in the center circle for the $1,000 cash prize but then was knocked out by another puck. All around a scoreless night for Mainers last night.
The after-game celebration and fireworks show was also a lot of fun. We've never really taken them out to any major event for New Year's Eve and they really enjoyed the fireworks show.
L. said that not only was she sad, so was her stuffed lion. Hmmm, they're recruiting more Pirates fans by the minute.
G. is having a heck of a time talking about the trade, well actually the name of the team (the Admirals) the players were traded to. It seems to be a tongue twister for her so it's a good thing we don't have to cheer on that team.
They agreed that they're going to miss yelling, "Bruuuuunnnnooooo" in the stands. And when I asked G. to demonstrate, she jolted Toddy out of his slumber with her enthusiasm.
And according to G., St. Jacques was, "almost as famous as Shane O'Brien." The girls still miss watching him play at the games (but they have seen some short clips of O'Brien doing what he does best for Anaheim).
And the girls couldn't let the moment of reflection pass without also checking in with Toddy (which they did separately and I didn't see until I downloaded the video clips today). He had a few meows of sympathy thanks to G. and let L. talk again about the former number 55.
L. skipped her 4-H club's Christmas craft day to go to a Pirates game last night with me and Grandpa. She simply couldn't miss the chance to go see her favorite team play.
Before the game I roamed the stands taking photos for Seen's Fan of the Night and found a couple of youth hockey teams. It turned out that they were there to play an exhibition game between the first and second periods of the Pirates' game. They were really cute and looked so tiny on the ice.
Youth hockey players on the ice between periods.
The Pirates and Falcons on the ice. It was a good thing the youth league players weren't standing next to Mitch Fritz from the Springfield team. He made even the 6-foot plus Pirates' players look short (he's 6'8").
The Pirates were in the lead through the entire game but in the last second of regulation play -- actually there wasn't even a second on the board it was a couple of tenths of a second -- Springfield knocked the puck into the Pirates goal. I'm pretty sure the clock read 00:03 when that puck went in. L. and I, along with the friends we were sitting with, were shocked. None of us had seen that close a call before.
So the game went into overtime and neither team scored so they started a shootout. If you've never seen a shootout, it's edge-of-your-seat suspense. After the first players for each team made it past the opposing team's goalie, the next few rounds went scoreless. But then during the final round, Konopka made the final shot that won the game for the Pirates and the crowd went wild. L. and her friend were jumping and screaming right along with everyone else.
After L. yelled her fill in celebration, we left the stands to take a silly picture with a geocaching Travel Bug we're currently hosting...
This Travel Bug is from New Jersey and has been traveling for a little over a year but doesn't have any photos in its album. We decided to change that.
The girls and I were on the job last night at the Pirates game taking pictures for Seen Team.
The girls took a break from their Seen Team duties (it's harder work than you think walking through all the stands) and found a cat's cradle loop in my backpack (yeah, I carry random stuff but sometimes it really does come in handy) so they kept themselves entertained while I continued to take pictures. And I have to say I was amused to see that my girls weren't the only ones playing with yarn in the stands.
At one point during the game the glass around the ice was knocked out towards the fans in the first row. From our seats it looked as though a young fan's foot/leg was injured by the glass as it fell to the ground. Just one more reason why I don't care for sitting too close to the ice.
Part of our "job" on the Seen Team at the Pirates' games this season is to choose a "Fan of the Night." We went through all the photos we had looking for the most enthusiastic fan(s) (these kids were great) then went down to the Civic Center's video control center to meet the Pirates' staff to download it for the scoreboard. The girls thought their brief behind-the-scenes visit was pretty cool.
We're helping the Seen Team with the Fan of the Night promotion for eight more games (although Seen will be at more than that throughout the season). Look out for us (and get there early, we take photos BEFORE the action on the ice begins) and show some team spirit. Maybe we'll pick you to be the next Fan of the Night.
Seen Team Fan of the Night games with the Almeida family:
Sun., Dec. 17 | Sun., Dec. 31
Wed., Jan. 17 | Fri., Jan. 26
Sun., Feb. 25
Sat., March 10 | Fri., March 23
Sun., April 15
Fan of the Night games with other Team members:
Fri., Dec. 15
Sat., Jan. 13
Sat., Feb. 3
Wed., March 7
Sat., April 14
The kids and I went to the Pirates game yesterday with grandpa and L. now believes that he's a good luck charm this season (i.e., at the 2 games we've been to so far with grandpa this season, the team has won). L. has entered this new season with another round of her own special logic.
But in usual form, the girls were being silly while watching the game. This time with a couple of stray Swedish fish in my backpack. Since meeting someone recently who had never had the penny candy (which is far from costing a penny these days), the girls have been talking about how much they love Swedish fish. And that prompted them to "introduce" their fish friends to a hockey game like they did with Bunny and Flat Stanley last season.
Yup, the fish did a little of everything with us at the game.
Being close to the ice at a Pirates' game has its advantages - we were in the 4th row last night - but I like being a little farther away. It's less stressful for me, especially when the girls bring a friend to the game. I did a refresher on the Almeida Puck Duck since we are NOT a try-to-catch-the-puck family. I'd much rather spend $10 to buy a puck in the team's store than take a trip to the emergency room.
The Almeida Puck Duck
L. and I roamed the stands taking photos for Seen Team while G. and her friend happily chatted in their special 10-year-old ways while eating fried dough and popcorn and drinking soda in their seats.
Since this is only our second season as Pirates' fans, we had some new learnings last night:
A hockey stick really can go through the gap between the boot and blade of a skate and get stuck there during a fast moving game. A goal doesn't count if it is nudged in by a glove (I still think the Pirates were robbed with that one!) I can see the forecast of the evening's weather via the video screen scoreboard. Helpful information inside the Civic Center. The "V section" guys are back for another season sporting new t-shirts (these guys chant and cheer on the team and my kids think they're fun). A broken glass panel happens more often than I thought. And like last year, those guys had it replaced in less than 15 minutes. Sometimes "Sweet Caroline" takes a night off and is replaced with a Grease song. Silver bracelet clasps can spring open when you fiddle with them and fall between the seats in front of you (I know this but my 10-year-old just learned that lesson) so that at the end of the game you have to pick it up off of a gooey, beer-smelly floor (and no, mom left the dirty work to the bracelet owner). The game will always go into overtime then not score and force a shoot out on the nights I really want to get home at a decent hour (sadly, they lost in the end).
We couldn't resist going to see the Pirates' preseason game last night and hope to see more of this during the regular season (which opens Friday night).
The kids spent the first few minutes chatting about the ice looking different this year -- the center line has diamonds instead of a filled line and the Ducks have a new logo.
The various mascots were out in force last night with Salty Pete, Crackers, Mercy Bear and Oakie. But L. and her little friend (who we ran into at the game and ended up sitting with) didn't recognize "Buck" the pink pig. None of the people around us seemed to know who he was either.
Last night the girls and I served as volunteers for the Celebrity Softball Challenge at Hadlock Field. It was a good time.
We were assigned to be "helpers" for the Don Campbell Band at the beginning of the event. Other than fetching a couple of water bottles and assisting with the break down of some tripod stands, we didn't do much in the way of helping. But we had front row seats in the visitors dugout and really enjoyed the music.
And while we were in the dugout, the girls couldn't help but snoop around.
"Wow, that's a lot of toilet paper mom," said G.
Yeah I thought, why do they need that much with a team full of guys?
The big crowd pleaser of the night was Shane O'Brien, winning the homerun derby and scoring some runs during the softball game. At one point he did what looked more like a hockey move than a baseball one when running to third base covered by a Bruins player. There was definitely some blocking by the Bruins guy and some checking done by O'Brien. The kids thought that was hysterical.
There were lots of Pirates fans in the stands and L. chatted it up with a couple we sat next to at a playoff game in May.
We had agreed to take pictures for the new Seen Team and THAT was a lot of fun. We even caught up with Slugger and Salty Pete.
But the kids seemed most excited about the Lori Voornas autographed baseball they got (they love the Q radio station). There were a ton of photos on my camera this morning of her and Shane O'Brien on the field. Although I decided to spare everyone the play by play with just a couple of shots for the Seen gallery.
So our volunteer activity turned out to be a lot more FUN than work and the kids didn't mind that one bit.
I actually received a couple of emails, a phone call and talked with some friends today, all wondering how we were handling the Pirate's loss last night. I had to laugh because I really didn't think anyone wanted to hear any more about hockey from me.
So the short answer to that question from G. is, "we are sad."
But it was such an exciting season, particularly the last few play-off games, that we can only thank the team for such a great season. We can't wait until next year!
L., in her special logic, had this to say about the game last night:
"I listened to the game on the computer and I was sad when they lost.
And they shouldn't have hurt Shane O'Brien! (He was hit against the boards by a couple of Bears and left the ice because he was bleeding. He did return to the game later.)
But (she said this sadly) I ate a fudgical and that was what made them lose. "
But L. isn't quite done with hockey for the season. She asked me to find the Milwaukee Admirals website because she wants them to win now. She really didn't like the Hershey players because she thought they were "really mean." And her notion was reinforced at Game 5 when Hershey's Robitaille cussed out the fans in the stands during a break in play (we were in the 3rd row and the colorful language was quite clear).
So what is L's game plan?
"Now I'm going to eat lots of cheese and milk. They are my favorites. It will be easy to give them (Admirals) good luck!"
Then Fino added, "... and Daddy will drink the beer."
We love Pirates games, as if you didn't know that. It's the on-the-edge of our seats feeling that has us a bit addicted. So of course we couldn't miss the home game last night.
L. insists her ban on chocolate for the duration of the series is working. She's so serious in fact that she would not let her sister buy chocolate covered pretzels (and it was white chocolate and not Hershey) yesterday before the game. Instead of arguing with her sister (which I very much appreciated), G. bought a package of bulls eyes and decided they were REALLY good luck for the team.
"Look mom, it's a number one! The Pirates are gonna win tonight, I just know it!"
The game last night was exciting and highly entertaining for us. We had great seats and sat next to a very sweet, but thoroughly drunk, fan. Normally I don't encourage the girls to talk to people who imbibe so much, particularly at a hockey game, but this woman was really enthusiastic. And she refrained from using any profanity because she liked G. (they had quite the conversations going, from the game refs to the hazards of smoking). And she was so funny that the game was all the more fun for us because we were sitting next to her.
Here are a few favorite quotes from our friend (we even caught a bit of it on video too):
"Guys, are you doing your Heller Keller?" (She was yelling at the refs and using the bam bams to emphasize her point.)
"We don't like chocolate.... right now." (The hand gestures were great.)
"Hey guys, come down this way." (At the time, she was waving her bam bams like an air traffic controller. It didn't last long since the fans behind us started yelling to get her to sit down.)
The anti-chocolate comments at the beginning of the game immediately endeared her to the girls. Although she said eating Nestle was OK this week.
Hockey fans come in all shapes and sizes and going to games are all the more fun because of that.
In the wee hours yesterday morning I woke up with a horrible migraine that lasted most of the day. In the haze of the migraine and trying to sleep I was jolted awake by gun shots in the backyard. I saw my husband outside on the porch with his gun and called out to ask what the heck he was doing.
"There was a cute little fox trying to get into the coop. I just shot a couple of warning shots to scare him away."
Yes, he used the word 'cute' while standing there with his gun and talking about protecting the family poultry. He was quite pleased with himself and I thought once again that life is never boring at our house.
Another case in point is the new no-eating-chocolate rule instituted by L. She came home from Thursday night's Pirates game disappointed that they didn't win.
"I'm going to give those Bear guys bad luck. I am NOT eating chocolate anymore. That will help the Pirates win!"
I'm not sure the hockey players would take much stock in her plan, but my spirited 8-year-old is convinced. She even policed the house yesterday making sure no one else in the family ate the confection either. Winning this round of the hockey play-offs is serious business for L. And I don't think the team would necessarily turn down any extra help with the Hershey Bears.
And since I'm already talking hockey, I have to ask what is with the Civic Center always playing Neil Diamond's, "Sweet Caroline" at the games (and often more than once)? I understand the classic and modern rock music choices because the crowd is there for a hard, mean game of hockey where fighting is fervently cheered. And even the Village People's, "YMCA" is a typical party song, but Diamond's song brings to mind my mother's generation of easy listening music. The song is OK but it just doesn't say 'hockey game' to me. Clearly I am missing something.
L. and G. had an interesting way of interpreting Diamond's song at the last game. I think it's clear that they agree with me on this one.
I have to talk about the Pirates - the Atlantic Division Champs - since we went to the game last night.
G. and Fino stayed home to do some other stuff but L. and I really wanted to go. We bought our tickets through a radio station promotion and ended up in the 5th row, which offered a totally different vantage point that our usual 19th row (and above)cheap seats.
And not only did we have a close-up view of the action, L. found some other perks as well. She ended up with a practice puck and spent some time hanging out with Crackers and was pretty excited about it all.
During the third period of the game the play came to a stop for a while because one of the plexi-glass plates cracked (I think that's what happened) at the other end of the rink and they had to replace it. So out came a guy with a ladder and then a minute later two other guys went running across the ice with a new plate. They had the whole thing replaced in a couple of minutes.
I wish our home fix-it projects went so quickly....
The usual activities and songs went on between periods of the game, including the YMCA song. L. had some fun with her Pirates' penguin doll that we caught on video.
At last night's Pirates hockey game the kids and I decided to rate the garb given out at each of the playoff games we've been to. We unanimously decided the Bam Bams were the best because we loved making noise with them. The kids also thought hitting each over the head with them, and watching other kids do that too, was "really funny."
The towels given out last night served as napkins for the fried dough since they had a hard time swinging them around in the air. They kept wrapping around their hands instead.
And L. was up to her usual antics on other uses for the towels. This photo was her idea.
I also have to mention this anecdote about the girls' ballet class. Apparently, their ballet recital has a circus theme and they are "tight rope walkers." They start their routine in tutus and dance to "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head," then ditch the tutus and pick up jump ropes to finish their routine to another song, which they hadn't heard until Wednesday night.
"Mom, guess what the jump rope music is for our ballet recital?!!" asked L. VERY excitedly.
"The Pirate's goal song! Can you believe it?!" said G.
"Yeah, it's like being at the hockey game in ballet class. Isn't that funny?" said L.
"Yeah, it's so cool!"
G. thought it was so cool in fact that she decided to write another letter to her favorite player to tell him about it.
We went to another Pirates play-off game Saturday night and took grandpa with us. The kids were psyched the team won and have now decided the grandpa jinx is over.
After putting on our white t-shirts for the game on Saturday night, we had a little fun with our current Flat Stanley visitors. They needed to share in our team spirit.
But after listening to the game last night, the kids and I decided we had to go to the next game in person to cheer on the team.
"We might be good luck mom!"
So they're not only fans, they have their own good/bad luck superstitions. This certainly isn't what I expected after first introducing them to hockey earlier this year. And as if it wasn't obvious by now, they don't feel bad for the other team losing anymore - those days are long gone.
If you're a Pirates fan, tell us how you cheer on the team.
I blew up the 'Bam Bams' we were given at the game's entrance gate and figured out how to maximize the noise factor (you have to hit them together when they are parallel to each other). And as if you couldn't have guessed, there wasn't a kid in the place who wasn't hitting each other in the head with them, mine included.
But even with the crowd's enthusiam during a really exciting game, the Pirates lost in OT. The kids thought since they left grandpa at home, the team would win.
"We have to go to the next game to cheer for the team!" said L. "And next time we're making a sign for Kenny Smith too." said G (she brought along her card to the game).
And I was yet again amazed at the kids' observation skills. It's why I think they're so good at geocaching. After two minutes of sitting in our seats they spotted a lobster on the ceiling.
The day after we went to the hockey game when the Pirates' player Kenny Smith got hurt, the girls made a get-well card and mailed it off to him in care of the team. As I had mentioned, we were all a little horrified by all his blood on the ice and hoped he was OK.
I didn't think they would get a letter back from Smith; I told them he was probably a little busy in the playoffs.
But today the kids received autographed cards from him thanking them for their letter. They were thrilled.
"I TOLD you he'd write us back mom! He said our card made him feel better. I'm really happy he liked our card." said G.
"Mom, take a picture of us jumping because we're sooo happy Kenny Smith sent us a card!" said L.
And they'll be bringing their cards along to root for their new favorite player - and the team - at tomorrow night's playoff game at the Civic Center.
We went to the Pirates hockey game yesterday and the team ended their regular season with another win.
I brought my mp3 player with me to record the kids thoughts about the game and about hockey in general. I had some technical difficulties so the quality of the recording isn't great. We're going to try another time to make a podcast but in the meantime, you can listen to an audio clip I put together this morning.
Listen to two little girls' perspective on Pirates hockey games (2:49 minutes, 3.2MB mp3 format)
On Sunday afternoon we went to another Portland Pirates hockey game. The kids were pretty excited to sit next to Salty Pete for a while. He usually doesn't make his way to the cheap seats, at least not during the last few games we've attended.
The Pirates won which always makes the kids very happy. Screaming and clapping at the game are definitely part of the appeal for them when we go.
But I was feeling a little queasy near the end of the game. Initially I thought it was the geyser of blood that spurted out of the head of one of the players on the ice. The girls and I were kinda horrified but it turned out the player just needed a bunch of stitches.
Sunday's victory was marred by an injury to defenseman Kenny Smith, who suffered a severe face laceration when he was cut by a skate blade after a collision just outside his blue line with less than 3 minutes left in the game, leaving a large pool of blood on the ice.
Less than an hour after the game, Smith was in the Portland locker room,
"He took a lot of stitches," Dineen said, "but it's not life-threatening or career-threatening."
And although watching the blood getting scraped off the ice was unpleasant - and a real education for us as new fans this season - my queasy feelings turned out to be the stomache flu.
This afternoon I'm feeling a little better and trying to get caught up some things. As I checked out the forecast, I suffered a bit of a shock.
Not being very familiar with the nuances of hockey, I didn't understand how players could get into a fight in the very first second of play. What was equally strange was that the refs let the fight go on for so long without trying to break it up. It seemed suspiciously more like a Smackdown act than the start of a real hockey game as the two players circled each other with their dukes up.
My kids however were upset about the fight and started yelling at the players.
Grandpa came to the game with us and bought the kids some pucks to play the Chuck-A-Puck game.
The pucks were soft like nerf balls so I didn't have to worry too much if my kids' throws landed in the stands rather than on the ice.
Each puck we had (6 altogether) came with a corresponding number slip.
Between the second and third periods of the game we went to the lower stands' balcony (yes, we buy the cheap seats) to throw our pucks. And as sheer luck would have it, L. actually managed to throw her puck onto the Chuck-A-Puck mat and won a hat (what was even stranger was that out of all the pucks, I took the above picture of the one she actually won with). She collected her gift certificate and has plans to go to the store with her dad this weekend to collect her prize.
Another highlight of the game for the kids was the cotton candy. Not a usual concession item purchased by me or my husband, Grandpa decided to treat them to the confection. And true to form, the kids had a little fun with the blue stuff.
Several people have emailed me (posting comments is cool too - hint, hint), about my blog entry on the Portland Pirates "Chuck A Puck" game. So here's the deal.
People buy pucks with numbers on them.
At some point between periods during the hockey game, the announcer tells the crowd it's time for "Chuck A Puck."
A mat is rolled out onto the ice and people throw their numbered pucks that they purchased at the ticket gate before the game from the designated throwing area (which is in the stands near the center line).
There are prize areas on the mat so any pucks landing on those spots wins something (t-shirt, hat, etc.).
I don't know all the details of the game, but that's the basic gist of it. And this video clip offers a demonstration of the fun.
If anyone has any other details, post a comment. I might not have got it exactly right; I am a new fan.
And just as a side note, I'd love to have those "Chuck A Puck" people with the brooms come home with me to clean up my floors.
We went to another Portland Pirates game yesterday. We had a coupon from Hannaford for two free child tickets (thanks for finding it grandpa!) and we've had so much fun at the other games that we couldn't resist.
The kids were a little more subdued during yesterday's game because the Pirates were on the losing end of the scoreboard. But they still did their share of cheering and clapping while eating nachos, popcorn and soda.
During the third period of the game they really picked up as the Pirates scored a couple of goals and then took out their goalie in favor of another player to make a power play (or whatever they call it in hockey speak). Yeah I know, I'm working on learning all the rules of the game to explain them to the kids.
The home team didn't win in the end but that didn't deter L. from wanting to go to another game.
"We have to go again mom to see them win!"
There are another 11 home games left on the schedule so it's a definite possibility.
We continue to be amused by Chuck-A-Puck at the game. It just cracks me (and the kids) up to watch all those pucks go flying from the stands. We decided we're going to try it ourselves next time.
And of course, we couldn't resist taking another goofy picture with the Pirates guy at the end of the game.
We went to a great Pirates game last night. It went all the way to a sudden-death shootout and the kids were on the edge of their seats.
As usual, the nachos, soda and popcorn were a big draw to going to another hockey game.
After the first period of play, two USM student teams tried to win some prizes by racing in a sled down the rink, around the goal net and back. It was really funny to watch and had the kids laughing hysterically. They weren't even too concerned when one of the sled pullers slammed his teammate into the sideboards making the turn around the net. But I did cringe a little at how much that likely hurt without protective gear on.
There weren't a lot of Salty Pete and Crackers appearances at this particular game, probably because it was on a weeknight (and it was USM night). But my kids didn't mind the lack of kid-oriented entertainment because there was still lots of yelling, screaming and cheering. They think that is one of the best parts of the game. I have to agree.
After the game we had to get a goofy picture with the Pirates guy. In typical L. style, she "posed" for the picture with her sister.
Nice fingers L.
When I asked the kids what their favorite part of the game was, L. chimed in without hesitation.
"Winning"
I think she's starting to understand how these live sporting events work.
Yesterday we met some friends to see a Portland Pirates game. Bunny and the Flat Stanleys we're hosting came along for the fun.
This was G. and L.'s first live hockey game and they weren't sure they liked all the checking and fighting.
"Ooooh mommy his face smashed against the glass! That rat guy wasn't very nice."
"I am happy the Pirates won but I feel sad for the other team. They look sad."
Yeah I know, they need a little more exposure to live sporting events.
The highlight of the game was the slapstick goal by the Pirates at a face-off and everyone jumped out of their seats to cheer. And of course, Crackers, Salty Pete, the popcorn, nachos and soda were big hits with the kids - and Bunny had his share of popcorn too.
But I think the best part, particularly for L., was screaming her lungs out along with her friend - something I don't generally encourage at home....
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