Only When I Tour Guide!

It’s been said ‘Life Gives…and Life Takes’. You take one course of action and then after the fact you will ask yourself ‘what if’?

On the rarest of occasions that I chose to go outside the realm of routine something amazing happens. It usually occurs when I bring a sports virgin to an event.

With the first place Ducks in town Friday night a friend informed me she had never been to a hockey game in her life. Never is a word I severely dislike… 

When the duty of playing tour guide comes a calling I like to have as much focus as possible. Hence I did two things I never do. I went without a camera or a recorder and turned the phone off.

The thought of sharing one’s insights takes more precedence than trying to capture the moments and memories.

The Dallas Stars (5-5-1) were in for a challenge playing the 1st place Anaheim Ducks (7-1-1). This despite the fact Dallas had Anaheim’s number having won 5 of 6 in 2012. Playing penalty free hockey and defending their end of the net has been at issue ad infinitum.

Two solid wins on the road before this matchup, Two legends on the ice with Jaromir Jagr and Teemu Selanne, a chance to impart some hockey know how to a first timer, and a great game of course! Did I mention fighting?

12/30/05 coworker Tricia gets to go see her first hockey game against the Blues. In the first period alone she was privy to 5 fights before all was said and done. Her response, ‘Wow! Does this happen at every game?’ Sheepishly I said ‘No.’

Jamie Benn has been a man possessed since returning to the ice. He got the ball rolling in the first period with a nice netter for a 2-0 lead the Stars would not relinquish all evening. No less than three scuffles broke out in the first period. I was waiting for a Jerry Springer sighting.

Since there was some unfinished business with two players from last year-Stephane Robidas and Corey Perry-took to dropping the gloves and scuffling all the way to the penalty box which got the sellout crowd inside the American Airlines Center ready to roar.

The cheering got louder when Trevor Daley got the first goal of the game. Mind you, no camera, and no recording devices, I’m just watching the game and taking it all in while providing pointers to Karen. At one point she made an astute observation.

‘Kind of like soccer on ice?’ I smiled. Another fan in the making!

Jamie Benn would score the second goal of the night. Trevor Daley the 1st on power plays for an early 2-0 lead. Dallas outshot Anaheim 16-7 in the first frame. Karen’s thoughts:

‘Power Play-we have a 1 man advantage, right?’ Correct!

‘SOG is Shots On Goal…and we’re rocking it, right?’ Correct again!

‘That Goalie guy can really set the tone for the team and the game, huh?’ Still smiling, it occurred to me that Gemini’s always ask the best questions…

Except for a slight hiccup in the second period the Dallas Stars played flawlessly en route to a 3-1 victory over the 1st place Ducks. Loui Eriksson added an insurance goal in the 3rd frame while the game was never in question. Karen was a quick study in the game of hockey and the sport now has a new fan.

As we’re leaving the AAC Karen informs me, ‘I’ve never been to a Mavericks game. Got any connections?’ I just smiled. Suffice to say February is going to be a good month for Karen and hopefully both the local teams.

‘Will there be fights on the hardwood as the ice?’ By this time my duties were done as we said goodbye and went our separate ways.

Stars win their third game in a row! A fun Friday night and a rare time out of my element.

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will