Dallas is cool. Especially if that is the name of a person you work with. And, really, really, especially if he gave you and a friend tickets to an NHL hockey game.

Last night I was privileged to attend an Atlanta Thrashers game at Philips Arena. The visiting team were the Florida Panthers. It was (cough) well attended. My office mate Brandon drove us over there to enjoy the game. The game started out with some quick attacks from the Thrashers, but nothing got to the back of the net. Then the Panthers scored. The large (cough) crowd was stunned into silence. Or maybe that was just the empty air between all the seats. Anyhow, nearing the end of the third period the Thrashers were down 2-1. They were in desperate need of a score when …

Penalty. Panthers. 1:09 on the clock.

The Thrashers pulled their goalie to make it a 6 on 4 against the Panthers defense. They played the faceoff and the Thrashers began to control the puck then … shot one … missed … shot three … missed … shot four … would they be able to do it?! … shot five … SCORE WITH 2.06 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK! AMAZING!

So with the game tied 2-2 we go to a 5 minute overtime with only 4 players each and a goalie each, one less player than regulation.

From the faceoff the Thrashers are pressured in their own end and quickly get a break into the Panthers end and SCORE! ONLY 25 SECONDS HAVE TICKED AWAY! BRILLIANT!

And that was my first Thrashers game. Cool.