GRITS and Pucks

Well folks, it had to happen eventually. I stepped foot inside a hockey arena for the first time since the Thrashers relocated. And I have to say, quite surprisingly, I had quite a bit of fun.

The Gwinnett Gladiators game last night only truly disappointed me because of the score board. I had a great time: I was in a hockey arena, there was a fresh ice, and their were two teams ready to cut it up. And while I was clearly not in the Bulb anymore I didn’t mind, I was just grateful to be watching live hockey.

When you watch NHL hockey often, you quickly pick up the names of players both on your team, and on the others as well. Being familiar with the players – and their strengths and weaknesses – makes watching them a bit more enjoyable. As a first-time visitor, it was hard to know what players to keep up with, so  I just watched everyone – including the Road Warriors. It made me focus more on the overall game-play, and less on the individual efforts of any single player.

The game pace didn’t bother me at all, and in fact I think it’s at the perfect pace to bring hockey n00bs to and explain the game. I am thinking of getting my two sisters to attend a game with me (I finally achieved having them agree come to a Thrashers game with me …a season too late).

It was pretty neat, too, to see the unique ways in which Glads fans celebrate their team (like their chanting after a goal for the home team). Seeing the fans embrace this in a passionate way, up to and including harassing the officials mercilessly, was great as a southern hockey fan.

I was hoping to see the Gladiators dominate like they had the night before but that was not the fate. Glads ended up short two with the final score being 4-2 Road Warriors.

The 11,000 (give or take) seat arena that plays host to the Gwinnett Gladiators, offers a pretty fun hockey experience (complete with encouragement to “GET LOUD YA’LL” ). And who can beat free parking, and $22 tickets in the lower bowl? If you were a Thrashers fan, and are looking to get your hockey fix now and then, I highly recommend giving the Glads a shot. You won’t be disappointed.

Go Glads!

Watching the Detroit Red Wings vs Minnesota Wild was… weird. It was a fun and well played game, but I felt like I was cheating. Though I suppose that could’ve been because I was keeping track of other games simultaneously ( I was cheering for the Lightning in tandum with the Red Wings).

Of course I wasn’t cheating on the Thrashers… because… you know… they’re gone.

I worried at the beginning of the game  because here I am cheering for Detroit for the first time, and the Wild score 11 seconds at the end of the first then straight away to start the second. I was beginning to think I was bringing the Thrashers curse to the Wings. Then I remembered, this was Detroit I was talking about – it was gonna be okay.

The goal by Ian White was bitter-sweet, seeing as I had him sitting on my bench tonight. And as anyone who saw the game knows, it quickly headed to overtime, and the Wings sealed the deal with some serious net crashing.

Wow, sounds like I’m just recapping the game – I’m gonna blame it on feeling disjointed still.

Normally watching games I’m passionate and get wild – scream jump up and dance/yell; even while just at home – scratch that – probably more at home. I sat pleasantly through the whole game smiled and made some remarks – raised my voice only once (In lament of my bad fantasy choice). It’s not for lack of an exciting game. Is my passion while watching hockey smothered? When will I find a team? What team?! Detroit is defiantly a good choice – Original 6 team, 11 Stanley Cups, solid leadership and ownership who cares about the team and it shows. I probably need to attend a game -stat- to save me from my lack of passion. For now I just stick to the plan: making the rounds among the league trying to find my own, but for now – Red Wings you rock!

I think I can begin to get used to this whole watching other NHL teams gig… My heart will heal one hockey game at a time.

I’m feeling a little emotional this evening. As a gal who just watched her team play in a different city, with new jerseys, under a new name, I suppose you might expect a little sadness, no?

And it didn’t stop there. No, the game was complete with multiple jabs by the announcers, talking trash about fans in Atlanta. They joked about how “nobody could tell you Price’s first name in Atlanta” or, “the difference between Atlanta and Winnipeg is that Winnipeg fans know that was a bad penalty”.

Really?

I don’t get it. It is possible to celebrate hockey in Winnipeg without dancing on the graves of fans in Atlanta. Oh how quickly the Peggers have forgotten the same pain they felt 15 years ago, when their team was snatched from them. Who would’ve thought citizens of The Peg would ever mock a city for losing it’s NHL franchise, or even cheer for Gary Bettman? I bet not a soul who stood in the old barn on April 28, 1996.

Watching the Thrashers Jets game I realized it’s about time I find another team to send my hockey love to. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my Thrashers. But watching them play in Winnipeg is hard enough. Having to watch them play in Winnipeg while I’m made fun of the entire time just isn’t going to happen. I can’t do it, ya’ll.

Oh, and a quick note to Don Cherry: Even fans in Atlanta know that Chris Mason being in goal over Ondrej Pavelec is never a recipe for success. Might wanna check your facts there, bud.

In case you missed it, the NHL officially announced the 2012 Winter Classic today. Our matchup is between Philly and NYR, with Citizens Bank Park playing host.

I won’t spoil the video with some kind of write-up about it, just watch. HBO’s 24/7 series for these two is going to be fantastic, I can tell already.

This year I held the first overall pick in the draft, for my fantasy hockey league. I went gutsy and went with Steven Stamkos with the first pick. Below is my roster in it’s entirety. What do you think?