Nothing like playoff hockey!

Last year our neighbors had 4 seasons tickets to the Stars. One night they came over at 5pm and gave their tickets to that night's game since they couldn't go. Looking at the best way to scheme my way to the game I immediately called Meghan's dad, Mike, and asked him if they would like to join me and Lauren at the game. The Penguins and Sidney Crosby were in town, and since Mike is a big hockey fan and player (it is whispered that he played Canadian junior hockey with Mike Modano), and he had spent a couple of years in Pittsburgh, it was a lock.

It turns out that game was probably the game of the year in Dallas. Overtime, shootout, a goal by Crosby, the whole works. A great time. And Lauren and Meghan had a blast. They especially liked dancing to the music!

So when Meghan was coming back into town I immediately took advantage. Before game 2 of the series I bought tickets for all of us and Art & Kathy to go to Game 6 on Sunday night. Of course then the Stars took the first three games of the series, and we were in the awkward position of not rooting especially hard for the Stars to win so we would be able to see a game when Meghan was in town. Well the Stars aligned and Game 6 was Sunday night.

Here is where the planning went awry. The game was scheduled late (8pm) so VS. could show another game earlier. However that game never happened so it was a late game for no reason. Then we also hadn't exactly planned on Lauren and Meghan playing all day full-out, including 4 hours in the hot tub in the burning sun. And we definitely didn't plan on the 8th longest game in NHL history.

The meltdown started when we took our seats. Lauren lost it because she wanted to sit in my seat and not hers next to Meghan. Neither of the girls liked the whole "wave the towels" thing that happens in the playoffs. A rough start.

The first couple periods were excellent. We kept the girls entertained with food (popcorn, then ice cream). The third period is when things fell apart. A goal over Turco's shoulder tied it up. The girls went to sleep. The game went to overtime.

The first overtime was a madhouse on the ice. Scoring opportunities everywhere. The second and third overtimes were shaky, with the Stars players obviously tired and the Sharks seeming to get an abundance of one-on-one opportunities alone in front of the net. But in Turco we trust, and he stood on his head to keep the puck out of the net and the Stars in the game.

So by that time it was 12:45 or so and I couldn't justify spending another overtime or three before getting Lauren and myself home to bed. So I said our goodnights to Mike, Art, and Kathy and I carried Lauren out to the car. About 1:24 in the morning we were nearly home on the interstate when Morrow scored the game winner. Sounded good on the radio!

Go Stars!