Our weekend with "Stanley"

As most everyone knows my husband Anthony and I are huge hockey fans.   This year marked our sixth year as season ticket holders for the Los Angeles Kings.  Earlier this year we had made a bitter sweet decision to non-renew our tickets.   We are saving for a down payment on a house and every little bit helps.  Thankfully this was THE YEAR for the Kings!!   The Kings won the cup for the first time in franchise history.    We are extremely excited for the Kings, their success this season and that we were there to enjoy it first hand.    It was part of hockey history that was truly a once in a life time experience.

 

In other related news, June 6th marked our third year wedding anniversary.  We had decided that we would travel to Toronto and New York.  Thankfully when we booked our trip a few months ago we had made the decision to postpone the trip until the end of June.  Naturally while in Toronto first on our list is to visit the Hockey Hall of fame.  We were originally a little disappointed knowing that late in the month that the cup would not be there.   Of course we are OK now as the cup will be traveling with the Los Angeles Kings 2012 Stanley Cup champions!!!     Go Kings!!

Well it just keeps getting better for us. Over the weekend a little birdie we know told us where we go see the cup and take pictures.  We went to go meet ‘Stanley’.  

 I am glad he finally made it to LA and I hope he is enjoying his “Hollywood” tour.  I also hope to meet him again... real soon.

Some random thoughts about hockey and technology...

During the playoffs the amount of hockey watching always increases in our home.  This season it is nearly 24/7.   The Los Angeles Kings are in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 19 years and my husband is enjoying every minute of it-- some of those minutes more than once.    I've never seen so many classics,  replays, documentaries, interviews, commentary, analysis, pregame, game game, post game you name it....I've seen it.

A few weeks ago my husband and I were watching the 1993 Western Conference Finals and I was amazed at how many differences I could easily, and quickly identify.    The players were sporting their mullets, and handlebar mustaches.  They were not protecting their heads or faces with helmets and shields.     The boards were shorter, and there were no protective netting to protect the fans.   The goalies were not limited to the trapezoid, and had very little padding. It was fun to look back but it really got me thinking about how hockey had changed in the last 20 years, and how technology may have helped shape those changes.

For the players their equipment, and safety has been impacted by technology.  Equipment today is meant to make the players move quicker with more precision. It also provides more protection for the players. Sports medicine has improved greatly.  The trainers are able to "patch up" players much quicker and get them back out on the ice.  They know more about head injuries and  how to treat them, they have even changed some of the rules on hits to help reduce these types of injuries.   They are able to perform microscopic surgery to repair injuries that were once career ending and have the players back on the ice within months.    

The players, and coaches have both benefited from advances with film, and video.    They are able to slow down the video to study every moment.   They even created a study on the "science of a slap shot".     These videos of the games, practices, and players have been crucial to studying and training to take their play to the next level.

A lot has changed for the fans as well.    Tickets to games can be purchased online (no more waiting at the box office)   The stadium has been enhanced for a better fan experience.  There are giant HD jumbo trans , surround sound and animated score boards.   There are advertisements and promos during the TV breaks and intermissions to keep the fans excitement up.      There are ways for the fans to stay engaged with the sport after the game or season has ended through fantasy sports teams, video games that  have real life players and statistics of those players.    Fans are even able to stay engaged with their team through various media outlets.

For the media they are able to take advantage of of Internet and wireless devices to be the first to report, respond or comment.   Their coverage takes form in radio, TV, podcasts, blogs, and social media.   There are apps such as NHL Game Center, ESPN Scorecenter, and The Hockey news.  These apps send real time alerts, even show shot marks if you have to watch from your phone.   Media, and fans are able to interact with players through Facebook, and Twitter.  A few days ago I even noticed that NHL has a Pinterest  page and has been partnering with Draw Something for hockey related terms.   I've read that the drawings may even be used in NHL advertising.  It is amazing how technology lets fans connect to the game,  their teams and favorite players.

As technology innovations continue to evolve so will the game of hockey, and the fans experience.

Game no 2 is today!  Go Kings!!!!

A new hockey playoff tradition! Pancakes and beer?

My husband has started a new hockey playoff tradition! Pancakes and beer.   In 2010 he tired a playoff beard. In 2011 (I am slightly embarrassed to admit it) i had tried playoff legs! Now in 2012 it's pancakes (in honor of Kings forward Dustin Penner #25) and beer....and it's working!

Ok so let me explain. We always go to the Redondo beach cafe (The best greek canadian food in the South bay!!) for a watch party for playoff road games. Every game cafe regulars, hockey lovers and Kings fans gather to watch the games.  You also must know that my husband has been somewhat of a "Penner hater" since he joined the Kings in 2010. My husband says "once a duck always a duck" plus Penner was slow, lazy and not skating or scoring. Then Penner hurt himself eating pancakes.  S that you'll know I am not lying for 'blogs sake' here is an article on his 'injury' ( Penner Injures himself while eating Pancakes) 

Well things changed for Penner after that... He started skating harder, creating opportunities, even scored a goal. To poke fun at himself he participated in a pancake breakfast charity event "Pancakes with Penner" .
So game 5 of the first round playoff series we are enjoying wings and beer at the RB cafe (breakfast served all day) and my husband decides to have pancakes.   The Kings won that game and advanced to the second round for the first time in 11 years. My husband continued to order pancakes and beer through round 2 and Kings SWEEP the Blues. First time in franchise history the Kings swept a playoff series. Round three and pancakes each night and wins each night.

A few others have started participating in the pancakes and beer. We've even been greeted by some regulars as "the pancake people". Obviously pancakes are not the reason the Kings are winning but it's a fun, new tradition.

It's a great time to be a Kings fan!   Pancakes + Penner = Playoffs