I don’t have many friends here in Dallas. I like to think that it’s not because of offensive body odor or boring conversation but more that I just am new here. Luckily for me, one of the few friends I have made has access to Stars tickets. As an avid hockey fan – I could be called the Dallas Ranger, but that conjures up a certain MLB team – I am thrilled to be offered seats for any hockey game. Living as close as I do to the AAC, it’s even better.
I went to a game a few weeks back, sat in the upper bowl, and watched the Bruins shut out the Stars who were without Ott or Modano (or Morrow, I believe). The seats were high, but the view was unobscured and I was able to see the whole length of the ice. I also love the National Anthem at these games. When the singer sings “Whose broad stripes and bright stars” the whole arena joins in and shouts “STARS!” While I respect the solemnity of the anthem, it’s a pretty exciting phenomenon.
Upper Bowl at the AAC
Friday, I was offered tickets and attended with a friend who, though not necessarily the biggest hockey fan, is a native Texan and sports fan. Compared to the previous game, these seats were, in a word, better.
Center Ice
It is amazing to have good seats at a hockey game. The key is not to be too close so that you lose the puck, but close enough that you see just how fast the game is. The Panthers came out flying, crashing the net and scoring three quick goals. The Stars managed to rally a bit and netted two before the first intermission. In the second period, Florida went up by two, but the Stars came back again, potting two. Each team scored one in the third, sending the game to a quick OT. Neither team scored until the Panthers popped one top shelf on Alex Auld in the shootout.
Despite a heartbreaking loss for the Stars, it was an incredibly exciting game and I can’t remember the last time I went to a game and saw 10 goals in regulation. After the game, I actually ran into one the of the Stars in my building. He was definitely upset over the tough loss, and when I asked him whether he liked the shootout, he shrugged and offered a very political “it’s exciting for the fans.”
The Stars are fourth in the Pacific Division and are tied with the Islanders for most OT losses in the league with five. Those five extra points would have them leading the conference and in a three-way tie for first in the league along with the Pens and Avs. While I’m still looking for the Blueshirts to come through (they’re in second behind the Pens in the Atlantic), I’ve quickly found myself pulling for the Stars.
Tags: Big and Bright, hockey
