I'm Actually Jealous

Just a little jealous.  Really, I am.



"Mucking it out" in the corner

Our first start-to-finish season as Spokane Chiefs Fans came to a rapid, emphatic close last night.  The boys were on the road against a very talented bunch from Tri-City, and not only pushed the series to 7 games, but led with 5 minutes to go.  Our team's MO all season had been to work hard and maximize opportunities - and it got them farther than anyone expected.

Cheeseball

Which is why it will be hard to say goodbye to this team.  By rule, all of the 20-year-old players and most of the 19s will not be back.  Steven Kuhn never missed a game in four years with the Chiefs.  Corey Baldwin anchored the defense (and provided the best clue to know if an announcer actually followed the team - the program lists his name as "Corbin" - if that's what the announcer reads, he's just here for the check).  Darren Kramer inspired a bobblehead that came with bobble gloves; how cool is that?







Yes, Angry Birds

This year taught our boys about being a fan, how trades work, how playoffs work, how to be in a rivalry without being rude.  And how to play Angry Birds while surrounded by 6000 screaming hockey fans.



Game On!

There were large, real tears last night when the horn sounded (after the green light came on).  Cam was devastated that there will be now more "puck drops in..." on the Chiefs' website until September.  "I just want to see one more game" he emphasized.  He didn't want it to be over.  I have no active memory of being a sports fan and being thoroughly crushed by the end of a season.  It probably happened, and I'd actually love to hear about it, but I don't recall it.  I was spoiled that my oldest sports memories are literally the Sonics losing game 7 to the Bullets in 1978, then winning the championship in 1979.  Back then we had three VHS tapes and I had recorded the final game until I erased it sometime that summer.  I remember watching it dozens of times all summer - man, I wish I still had that tape.


Puck drops in 5 months



here's Boomer!

I learned tons more about hockey this season than I had in my previous 39 years. Save for a dabble during the Pavel Bure/Vancouver Canucks years, when the league left ESPN, I didn't really go looking for it. As enjoyable as it is to watch on TV, nothing compares to being in the rink, seeing a player unchecked across the ice, who would certainly be off-camera in a televised game, anticipate a move by his linemate and come in for a goal.

Next season can't come soon enough for me!


Bobble GLOVES!