My Wife, Laurie outside the Joe, ready to enjoy some Detroit Red Wings Hockey...but I had a surprise for her!
Yep, that's me. fourth trip to Hockeytown in 14 months and third this season alone.
These are the Rally Towels you see crazed Wings' fans waving with abandon. Very nice little keepsakes of the trip and the Game
My Wife's surprise. I bought Gordie's book '9' back in February and had him autograph it. Well, I also got a photo taken with him and she was REALLY jealous. Some fast talk with the powers that be...and Laurie got her moment with 'Mr. Hockey'. He was very kind to do this for me. Thanks, Gordie!
Get a look at this guy's headware! Al the Octopus with a choke hold on a penguin. If this guy only knew the half of it, eh?
There was no shortage of crazed Wings' Fans floating about the Joe tonight. Al's got the Cup....and when the Winged Wheelers win two more, so will they!
I wanted this guy's wig, but he wouldn't part with it, so I got sunburned! 'the lord of Hockey' was happy to pose for this photo....see, I told ya....nooooo shortage!
For one brief moment, I considered getting one of these and then I remembered the photo a friend took of me with one and how it got passed around at work.....to EVERY stop I made that day! Nope, nixed that idea quickly.
The Joe is normally still quite empty when the teams take warmups, but no during the Playoffs. I bet the seats were 50% or more filled for this event. Of course, there's a reason everyone wanted to be here early.....the pregame event!
#40, Hank Zetterberg stretches along with Valteri Fillpula and Ty Conklin after the warm-up, prior to the start of Game 2
The Man who is arguably the best goalie in the NHL right now, #30 Chris Osgood. 'The Wizard of Oz' is poised as a strong candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy this year, as he was last year. We'll see if he can close the deal in Pittsburgh.
Tim (foreground) and his buddy, Jeff mug for the camera at the Joe. What do you say to a guy that calls to tell you he has two extra tickets to Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals and wants to know if you want to go? You thank him profusely and be sure to share your photos with him. Here ya go, Tim....enjoy and Thanks again, my friend!
This is how the Pregame Event starts. Varying colors, patterns and lots of high energy music to wind everyone up. It's a GREAT thing to witness
This guy was an awesome speaker, narrating the Pregame Event. He spoke of Dedication, Leadership and other key elements to the Wings' great season...what a neat thing to witness
Flames shoot skyard, banners unfurl, flag bearers circle center ice and another special guest arrives....and by the way, you can REALLY feel the heat from this....even in the upper bowl!
There he is....Al the Octopus. Named for Al Sobotka (who we got to see waving an octopie wildly tonight). With the fog, the lights, the flags and the flames, it made for an intense experience
The lights begin to spin, like searchlights...and the flag bearers circle the rink
When the Pregame Event closes, Karen Newman steps out to sing the National Anthem. Always a neat thing to witness and Detroit fans love her!
In the final seconds of the game, the Pens' Evgeni Malkin decides to take a cheap shot at #40 Henrik Zetterberg. Malkin came away with a potentially suspendable offense, but the league disciplinarian was quick to dismiss it.
Malkin and Zetterberg are temporarily separated as teammates look on
Alright you kids, clean up your mess, so we can finish this game....
And there you have it. With the two Pitt penalties still on the scoreboard, time expires and it's time for the Red Wings to head to Pittsburgh for Games 3 and 4 this week! GO WINGS!!!
Even our Chihuahua, Kiki, is all smiles after a GREAT Red Wings' Palyoff Run! GO WINGS!!!
