Picture Post: Last Home Game 2012

Hi All-

It's been a while since we've posted. We've both been really busy, but as the semester draws to an end, we're going to try to do more general hockey posts to coordinate with the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Unfortunately with the start of the Playoffs looming, we're faced with the closing of our home state team, the Carolina Hurricanes.  While N stayed home to work on a couple huge projects she has due next week, I went to the game and took a few pictures that I thought I'd share. I can't believe it was the last game; it seems like just yesterday that I was flipping out on N for making us late to the first game of the season...

We walked in a little late for warm ups (I blame tailgating & beer), so I was honestly surprised we were able to get right on the ice. I also didn't know our tickets were on the sidelines, so that was an exciting surprise. We were bubbly & it was fun to be so close to the guys (my normal seats are on the other side so I typically just watch the opposing team warm up). Tim Brent tried to toss us a puck, but missed and it got to the row behind us. Instead of fighting a young girl for it, we let her have it. 

 Cam during warm ups! 

 Rosey & Spachio

Jamie! 

A few rows down from us a bunch of kids had a sign for Jamie; apparently they had come from his home town in MN to see him play! At the end of warm ups, he took about 3 pucks over there and tossed them over to them! Yet another example of Jamie being a stand up guy- we've grown to really like him!

Sorry for the crummy pictures- I didn't bring my good camera because I didn't think we'd be able to be that close to the action. Also, my computer died the morning of the game so I wouldn't have had access to photoshop to edit any of them (I have a loaner from IT right now) :(

The group I was with had a BLAST at the game! We were optimistic that the Canes would be victorious and losing was never really an option in our minds. We were on our feet so much in the 3rd period and overtime that it really did feel like a really important game! So happy the Canes won. Here are a few of our observations:

• My friend Megan called it- on the way to PNC Arena she reminded us that she was with us, therefore that the Canes were going to win (she last came to the Capitals game when the Canes won 5-0 & got Queso). She also said that the Canes were going to win in a shootout. I can't believe she was right.
• I love the smiles the guys have in warm-ups. Really like the guys on this team in general.
• Jamie had a few laughs out on the ice with Blake Geoffrion, his old Wisconsin teammate. Of course, Geoffrion scored the only goal for the Habs (his 2nd of the season). 
• Erik Cole brings out a lot of emotions with the Canes. Some laughs with a few guys, angry chirps from the bench, and boos from the fans. When Cole got highsticked, Skinner skated around him with a look of "oh no" and "idk what to do/say."
• It was tough to see how hard the guys were working to give Rosey his 20th and for him not to succeed. He was sooo close! He had a couple of passes to the front of the net and that breakaway at the end of the 3rd was so close.
• Also, there's no better way to go out than to be the Freeze Frame Photo of the last game of the season :)

At the end of the game, we decided that it would be awesome if we actually did the Papa John's shot from center ice since we always talk about it. It actually turned out to be lots of fun. I missed the net by about 6 inches with a slow and steady shot. My friend Megan, the only one of us that had never shot a puck before, scored the only goal of our group. Yay! Last memory of this season:

Thanks Stormy! 

Though we really wish the Canes would have made the playoffs, this was the best way to end the season on a high note. Thank you to our wonderful team and everyone in the Canes organization for all the hard work this season! 

Hard to believe we won't get to see these guys again until September!

Until Next Time,

L