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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

And then I went to Switzerland: Canada vs. Hungary (Part II)

Saturday was Team Canada’s off day, and so it was my day to go exploring! I was awake before 6 AM so I killed time getting my groove on to the videos on Euro MTV. This MTV actually played music videos, and I have to admit I became addicted to that Super Sweet Sixteen show! I guess that’s what happens when CNN is the only other channel in English! The problem with their music videos was that songs would repeat every half hour, but it was OK, I learned to love every single one of those six songs!

Around noon I took the train from the airport to central Zurich! I went exploring in all the fun old shops and churches! After walking around town for four hours, I realized how out of shape weeks of uninterrupted studying in front of my computer had made me. My feet have never hurt so much! When I returned back to the hotel, I had planned to head over to the rink and check out the atmosphere for when two non-Canadian teams are facing off. But instead I fell asleep!

For my last day, I switched hotels again. Team Hungary and Team Denmark were staying at this hotel. That was kind of cool because Canada was playing Hungary that night! Team Hungary left for the rink at the same time as I did. All rules and NHL procedures were out the window! And it didn’t stop there! The Arena Zurich-Kloten did not provide any information on which side of the ice was for the home and away teams. So, I decided to sit behind the net on one side of the rink for both games, so that I would at least have Canada on my side for one of the games, as they were away the first night and home the second. Canada was on the opposite side of the ice from me the first night, and it stayed that way for all three preliminary games! This is odd because in a multi-team tournament there is more than one home team. Also, Canada just alternated jerseys every game. That made no sense either because for game one they were away and for the second two games they were home, yet they did not wear the same jersey for games two and three! This made me grumpy!

Canada scored nine unanswered goals and shut out Hungary for the win! Once again, not exactly exciting, but at least I got to cheer a lot! There were hordes of Hungarian fans at the rink, and I actually believe MOST of them travelled the 1000 kms just to come and watch their team lose and bang their drums! They were loving every minute of it too! Back at the hotel, the fans waited in the lobby for the bus to arrive. The team received a continuous standing ovation from all the fans until every single one of the players had retired to their rooms for the night!

The next morning I was back on a plane headed for home. I was unable to get tickets for Canada’s third preliminary game, so I saw no sense in staying longer! I have never been so happy to go home. Normally, I love travelling on my own. It gives me time to reflect, do my own thing, and answer to no one. Maybe it was my lack of cell phone and msn, or the fact that the TV didn’t speak English, or a combination of the two, but I felt really lonely wandering around Zurich on my own! I was actually excited to be facing another long flight. I had planned out all the movies I wanted to watch in flight and everything!

This time I knew the season really was over. After my game in Phoenix, I had this feeling that something was going to come up and that the Coyotes last game of the season wouldn’t actually be my last game! Now I know the season really is over! Phoenix, Toronto, Ottawa, and Buffalo didn’t make playoffs, and Philly and Montreal are both out in the first round, so it is unlikely that I will get any playoff games in! And that is sad. Now I have five months to sit and stew! I am slowly going crazy 1-2-3-4-5-6 switch!

Picture: I’m hiding to the left of the Hungarian goal!

Posted in hockey, hockey fans, IIHF World Hockey Championship, Switzerland, Team Canada, Team Hungary, Zurich | No Comments »

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

And then I went to Switzerland: Canada vs. Belarus (Part I)

Thursday night I found myself on a non-stop flight from Toronto to Zurich with the IIHF World Championship at the root of my insanity. The eight hour flight was surprisingly pleasant. I had stayed up all night the night before so that I could sleep the eight hours on the plane and wake up fully rested at 8AM Zurich time! Of course being the insomniac that I am, I decided to watch movies the whole way instead! I was a basket case for the rest of the day, and the worst part of that was that it was game day! Team Czech Republic was being picked up from the airport when I got there! They were cutting it a little close!

I discovered why everyone told me not to take cabs in Switzerland. A five minute cab ride will run you 30 Swiss-Francs! I arrived at my central Zurich hotel around 9AM and my room wasn’t ready! Central Zurich was really beautiful, but I felt uneasy being down there. I was too far from the action. I wanted to be where hockey was being played! So, I relocated to the airport district in Kloten where one of the tournament arenas was situated. The hotels over there were a lot cheaper, but A LOT nicer! However, this change to the game plan made it really tight for me to get to the rink in time for the 4:15PM puck drop!

The arena was hidden away inside a forested park. The path to the rink reminded me of all the unpleasant aspects of a day at the zoo (think Canadian Domain) or Ontario Place! It was a fairly long hike with no promise of thrill rides or exotic animals on the other side! And it was HOT! Worst of all everyone was smoking, AND you could smoke in the arena. Luckily, my section of the rink was the only non-smoking corner because you know how I feel about smokers!

To my horror, I learned before my departure that Arena Zurich-Kloten seated less than 7000 at full capacity! This made me feel even more insane as it felt like I had travelled 4000 miles for a bottom four OHL game! The game versus Belarus wasn’t all that exciting either. Canada came out on top in a lopsided 6-1 battle. It’s always more interesting when the opponent fights back, yes?

Another disappointment of the night was the lack of authentic Canadian fans. I made the trek to Switzerland because I was interested in the “international” aspects of hockey and the fans it attracts. I was convinced I would meet other true blue hockey fans that go the distance like I do, but the Canadians didn’t come. The rink was filled with Canadian fans, imposters in red and white hockey sweaters, but when you asked them where they were from, they weren’t from Canada, they were from Zurich! This was more than apparent, as the cheers rising up from the stands were in German, “KAN-A-DA!” I was curious to find out why they would root for a country that wasn’t their own. Of course, I understand why they would go to the game, I would too, but I wouldn’t put on another country’s jersey! The reasons varied from having relatives in Canada, to a friend who is Canadian, to supporting the country with the French heritage.

TSN tried to fool the public by shooting footage of the only small group of Canadians in attendance. And my feeling is that these individuals didn’t actually make the journey for the sole purpose of hockey; more like they were already in the country and decided to check out a game. I know this because they didn’t show up for the second game, and nobody, not even I would go that far for just ONE game! No, it seems I am once again in a league of my own, which makes me all the more concerned for my sanity.

By the time the third period rolled around I was ready to pass out. I found it hard to fight off sleep that morning. My cell didn’t work in Switzerland, so I was worried that if I put my fate in a wake-up call that I’d run the risk of missing the game. So, I forced myself to stay awake. I learned where to catch the bus from the arena (transportation was included in the game ticket apparently), and it stopped right in front of my hotel! I got into bed and watched A LOT of MTV, one of two channels with English programming! I rested my eyes around 8PM, and when I opened them again it was dawn.

Posted in hockey, hockey fans, IIHF World Hockey Championship, Kloten, Switzerland, Team Belarus, Team Canada, Zurich | 1 Comment »

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

The moment you’ve all been waiting for: Phoenix ’09

Don’t get excited nothing really happened.

The night before I left for Phoenix I decided to finally look at my itinerary before booking my hotel. What had I done!?! I was pretty sure that the flight I had booked was direct and getting me to Phoenix at 1PM, but now it was saying that I had a connecting flight in Charlotte and I wasn’t getting to Sky Harbor until 5PM! That sucked! To make matters worse my return flight Sunday morning was scheduled for 6AM! So, I’d have to be back at the airport at 4AM, which means I’d have to leave the hotel at 3AM to return my car and all that. Why was I booking a hotel for the Saturday night at all? I decided to just stay up all night after the game instead of getting a room for the second night. Fun. This trip was really all business.

Crossing the border was fairly painless. The major theme this time (crossing both ways) was that the border guards didn’t believe that the passport was mine. The blonde hair threw them off, so the Americans quizzed me on details in my passport, while the Canadians made me show another form of ID. It’s interesting that this has never been an issue before and now it seemed to be a major concern.

When I got to Phoenix a storm was brewing, which is strange because it doesn’t normally rain in the desert! The electricity in the air added to the intensity and mystical aspects of the mission. The sad thing was I had rented a convertible and didn’t get to drive with the top down! I was only in Phoenix for a short while, so I needed to make the most of it and find him, it, whatever it was that every psychic I have ever been to has been bent on me finding.

I walked and drove around Scottsdale the first night. I didn’t find anyone or anything specific, though I did notice that the Arizona men seemed to be going crazy for me. They obviously don’t see snow white brunettes very often; I guess I was appealing to them in some freakish/fetish sort of way. I suppose if I had more time it would actually be pretty easy to find a guy there. Maybe the psychics were on to something – I need to go where I am appreciated.

I found my reason to return to Phoenix next season at Jobing.com Arena a.k.a. my new favourite arena! This arena surpasses the Air Canada Centre. It had all the awesome features of the ACC, but with more glitz and an entertainment complex outside! My ticket came with all you can eat free food and access to a lounge, much like Prudential Center. But unlike the Prudential Center, this ticket was $100 cheaper and included drink tickets…yes, that means alcohol! What drives me nuts about VIP sections is that the bathrooms are nicer, and while this is a good thing for the most part, the downside is that “nicer” also means “darker” and this makes it challenging to do spot checks. (The rinks are too well lit to have bad lighting in the bathrooms!)

Phoenix actually won the game in an exciting shootout (that brings me to 2-4-1 on the season), and even Vince Vaughn was there to cheer on the Ducks! I’ve started to notice that Vince Vaughn is a fellow NHL whore, he’s popping up all over the place just like I do. I saw he was also at one of the Chicago playoff games the other night! Anyway, the Coyotes’ supposed “fan appreciation night” was not very appreciative. You had to scratch to win any momentum of appreciation. They didn’t even give away anything at the door. Not a puck, not a towel, that’s disgraceful. You get those perks at a regular run of the mill AHL game weekly! The Coyotes organization only gave away the players’ sticks. This is a big deal, but this limits appreciation to only the lucky few that drew the opportunity to meet a player and get his stick at center ice. Not good.

That night I drove all around Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Glendale trying to keep myself entertained. It was a full moon which illuminated both the mountains and the mystery of whatever was about to break the surface in my life. This trip was major in ways that are too early to divulge. I still wasn’t sure what I was meant to find, but it was becoming a lot clearer (I think). All I knew, and all I know, is that I am on the right track and that I have to keep to the course. Unfortunately, Phoenix doesn’t have another game for six months, and it seems Arizona is the key piece of the puzzle. Hopefully, something reveals itself in the off season. I would hate to have to wait another six months to find out how this story will end…or begin.

Picture: The Coyotes celebrate a SO goal! I’m hiding in the background!

Posted in hockey, hockey fans, magic, Phoenix Coyotes, Phoenix., psychics | 2 Comments »

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Game Day – Flyers @ Bruins: Boston II (Day 2)

The following events took place on March 3rd, 2009

I started the day off determined to make the most of it after the terrible day/night I had the day before. I was idealistic about being a good student, and I brought a stack of books down to the lobby to get through that day. I managed to get through two and a half despite being interrupted by the Flyers. I’d say that’s a win! The highlight for me was when Coach DILF said “hi” to me! Oh my!

My cabbie on the way to TD Banknorth Garden was a Russian, thus we were able to connect on a commonality in hockey. We were discussing the ’72 series, so it was interesting to listen to someone’s perspective from the “enemy camp.” He was hilarious, though he, like so many others, thought it was strange that I was traveling for hockey and didn’t have a boyfriend. He told me that I needed to date a hockey player. This seemed to be a common theme for the remainder of the trip. Some of the people I met at the game that night also felt that I was the perfect candidate to be a “significant other.” I’m not sure any hockey player would have me, though. I’d be the crazy wife that goes on the road undercover in wigs and dark sunglasses to make sure her husband isn’t doing his slutty stretching for the blonde sitting behind the bench in Buffalo!

Anyway, the good news was that my tickets were at the Will Call like the heinous bitch at Ticketmaster promised. So help me if they weren’t! Also, the Flyers won the game, and I had great Philly fans surrounding me on all sides. (P.S. I’m still waiting for those pictures!! psycholadyhockey@hotmail.com)

After the game, I felt like NOT studying. So, I went out drinking with someone I met when I was in town for the last Flyers game! Sangria, bourbon, chocolate beer, and cider don’t mix. I stumbled home quite late, and I think I finally hit the sheets around 4AM. I had to be up early. My plan was to get to the airport as early as possible and see if I could get my 7:30PM flight moved up. Little did I know, I wasn’t going anywhere that day.

Posted in Boston, Boston Bruins, female hockey fans, hockey, hockey fans, hockey games, Hockey Players, hockey wives, Philadelphia Flyers | No Comments »

Saturday, February 14th, 2009

Top 10 reasons to be a single gal-fan on Valentine’s Day!

Because everyone loves a good Top 10 list, and because if I do another “romance on the road” entry, people are going to start to think I’m a skank! Happy Valentine’s Day!

# 10 Too Much Puck: there are nine NHL games scheduled for V-day in such a way that the love starved could conceivably watch four full games between lunch and bedtime! So veg out on the couch, bust out the Ben and Jerry’s, and stay there all day. I suggest: Iles@Flyers (1 PM), Oil@Kings (4 PM), Caps@Bolts (7:30 PM), and Flames@Coyotes (10 PM). I might just order some Mexican take out for two (for one) and do this myself!

#9 Kiss Cam Overload: the Kiss Cam will be earning time and a half at all of the active rinks today! While watching all the happy couples smooching may make you wish that you had something in your purse sharp enough to slit your wrists with (blasted security bag checkers!), have no fear! Lean into the cute boy sitting on your left and trick the cameraman into thinking you’re together. Once the camera is on you, you’re golden. He can’t wuss out in front of his buddies – SCORE!! It’s happened to me, it can happen to you!

#8 Warm Up: groin stretches…enough said!

#7 Five for Fighting: tired of the excessive amount of couples around the rink today rubbing it in your face that they are getting some and you aren’t? Well flaunt your sex right back at them! Pretend you’re at the Golden Banana and go rabid for those hockey fights! Annoying people is fun!

#6 Man-Fans: who needs eHarmony, find out what it feels like to be matched based on REAL compatibility on the grounds of like hockey fandom! Scour the rink and/or sports bar for a dashing young man sporting your team colours! Or, if you are of the attitude that opposites attract, then keep an eye out for enemy uniforms. Aww, think of all the hockey related teasing that will ensue! I’m picturing erotic tickle fights and scandalous game day wagers!

#5 The Following Coach Dilves: Guy Carbonneau, Craig MacTavish, Paul Maurice, and John Stevens. They give the bench that extra something-something. Raaaaaawwwwwr!

#4 Penalty Box Seats: for those of you lucky enough to have tickets to one of the V-day games, specifically in seats overlooking or next to the sin bin, then have a couple drinks and find out how funny it is to greet every penalized player with, “You’ve been a baaaaad boooooy!” (A shoulder shake is required when saying this!)

#3 Beer: for those of you who would much rather wallow in self-pity over being single on yet another Valentine’s Day, isn’t it convenient that beer and hockey go hand and hand? Have a few extra. No one will notice. Drink ‘til he’s hot! Disclaimer: the preceding activity should not be attempted by any patrons of the Air Canada Centre wishing to avoid bankruptcy!

#2 Body Checks: the players are violently pushing each other’s bodies against the boards – it’s not hard to picture naked. No…thank YOU!

#1 Single Hockey Players: the very definition of hope. (Damn you, Carrie Underwood!)

*For the record, I did not photoshop the above picture. I found it floating around MySpace, and thought it was hilarious!

Posted in female hockey fans, hockey, Hockey Players, puck bunnies, Valentine's Day | No Comments »

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