Nashville’s hockey team is named the Predators. They’re in 9th place in the conference, and second place in their division. They’ve had an average year by NHL standards. The looked pretty good on the ice. Also, as a bonus, we were sitting in box seats with a great view of the game.

But, that’s not all. Near the end of the second period the announcer (with help from the Jumbotron) welcomed the US U-23 Men’s National Team to the stadium! They were sitting box seats directly across from us! I stood up and started cheering really loud. I guess I cheered loud enough because the camera men found me and put me on the Jumbotron screen. Actually, it was probably because I was the only person they could find who had a US Men’s National Team hoodie on. You know, the one I ALWAYS wear? Well, it was awesome to be on the big screen.

Then, I got the crazy idea to try and go seen the squad because I was in the box seat level. I asked the people in my suite what I should do. The consensus was that it wouldn’t hurt to try and get some autographs. So, I grabbed the nearest piece of paper and pen and made my way over to the suite the team was in. Of course, it was suite #1. I’m pretty sure this suite is reserved by the arena for special guests.

So, I get over to the suite and the dessert cart is parked right in front of their suite. The boys were standing there, waiting to get some good cake and such. There were other fans there, too, asking for autographs. I stuck my paper out and one of the guys (Maurice Edu, I believe) grabbed my paper, signed it, and started passing it around. Quickly, the paper disappeared into the suite. I stood for the next couple of minutes just watching them grab their treats and head back into the suite.

After about 5 minutes with no sign of my autograph sheet reappearing, I crept up to the door and tried to peek in for my autographs. Their server saw me and said, “Go ahead and go in.” I was shocked. I said, “Really?”. She said, “Sure.” So, I walked in their suite, kind of nervous, and quickly found my sheet sitting on the counter with about 8 signatures.

As I turned back around I was standing in a crowd with several of the players, most notably Maurice Edu, Eddie Gavin, Marvell Wynne, and Michael Orozco. I started shaking hands and telling them “Good luck tomorrow!” I was making my way out of the suite (I didn’t want to intrude, you know) and there’s Jozy Altadore, eating cake. I shake his hand and say “Good job, good luck tomorrow.” He says, “Thanks!” and smiles. Cool.

So, I get back to the suite and hold up my page of autographs in triumph. My friends cheer. Then one says, “Did you get a picture.” Nuts! I didn’t get a photo of this awesome event. So I ask my friend Mark (my current roommate) if he can come with me with his iPhone and take a picture. He agrees and we start our trek back to the US MNT suite.

When I get there we ask the server if we can take a photo and she says, “Quickly” with a smile. I get up to a couple of the players and ask, “Can I get a photo real quick?” They turn around and Mark is right there and snaps a couple shots. I turn around and shake their hands and tell them good luck.

So, here is the photo as proof. I am totally going to the game tomorrow! What an awesome day!

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.