Brings a Tear to My Eye

In researching creative ways to propose marriage, I came upon this video. If you have a romantic bone in your body, you have to see it.

Trust me.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Terms of Endearment #3

Blueliner - a hockey defenseman. When the players line up at center ice, the defense guys are closer to the blue line.

I found this out because the Kings just acquired a blueliner, Keaton Ellerby, from the Florida Panthers. This is because Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell are still injured and it's hurting us. (Sorry about the pun.) Get better, boys, we need you desperately!

Photo by kezee

Terms of Endearment #1 and #2

As I mentioned earlier, the owner lockout finally ended. I am flush with excitement that about every other day I can watch my Kings play. While we won't be seeing quite as many games live at the Staples Center as I might have wanted, I still love watching the games on TV. I learn so much from the pre-game show, the commentary during the game, and the post game show. I admit that I am a new fan and have a lot to learn.

So I decided to start blogging about terms that I now understand.

1. Carryover - This, apparently, is hockey talk for a grudge. For instance, last season Dustin Brown had an altercation with another player, whose name escapes me now. So when they met on the ice a couple weeks ago, the commentators worried that there might be "carryover." Ends up there wasn't.

2. Shift - (n.) When players get on the ice to play, they play in short periods of time, usually between thirty seconds and a minute or two, called shifts.

Disappointing Start

Today was the Season Opener for hockey. The Los Angeles Kings are the reigning (ha!!!) champs. I loved watching the raising of the banner and the championship ring distribution before the game. You could tell some of the players were all like, "Let's get this over with so we can PLAY!"

I wish they'd let someone else sing the National Anthem. It's always the same chick, Pia Someone.

Unfortunately, the Kings lost to the Blackhawks, 5-2. Alas, Quickie (our goaltender) wasn't quite quick enough today. I DID get the replica banner, though. My husband went to the game and gave it to me. :D Yay!

And Lo, Kate Morphs Into a Fan Girl

Drew Doughty at the Staples Center

Success! I was able to score some great tickets to the free practice session at the Staples Center on Monday night. We were Row 8! It was so exciting to be so close to the players. There was an announcer trying to describe what they were doing, but it was difficult to understand him. It didn't seem like a real practice, and I was right. (More below.) Still, a really fun time. 

They lofted some of the pucks over the glass afterward, but we were seated behind an area where a high net was above the glass. Darn. One coach eyed the top of the net, bit his lip, and hurled a puck. It made it over, but too far for my husband to get to it in time. Double darn.

Dustin Penner at the Staples Center

 Wednesday, my eldest son--the one with the pricey camera--accompanied me to one of their regular practices at the Toyota Sports Center (TSC) in El Segundo. We just walked right in and it seemed very much like our local Ice Station Valencia in layout. We found our way in to the NHL rink where the practice was already in session. This was a real practice. They did many drills. They gathered on the sidelines to listen to the coaches. It was very exhilarating. If not for the glass, I could have reached out and tapped players on the shoulders.

Matt Greene at the TSC

I took a lot of notes on the sounds (lots of noise!!) and sights and what they did. My son took about 300 pictures. Below are some I took with my phone. My only difficulty was their jerseys didn't have their names on them, so if I didn't recognize their faces, I had to refer to the numbers on their helmets. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with them to know each player by number, so I had the team roster on my phone ready to glance at.

I can't wait for the Season Opener on Saturday. Hockey at last!!

Matt Greene even closer! Nice schnoz.