Pucks, Purim & Palm Trees

Sweet Seats

There's something congenial about hockey in palm trees. Perhaps I would have been cursing the "soft ice" had the Caps walked away in defeat. Thankfully, I got to witness a quality win that propelled the boys in red (ok, white) to the top of the SE division. Caps 3, Panthers 2. And of course I get to cross one of the '30' off my list. And walking out of the game into 80 degree weather and palm trees was very serene. 

Neuvy in Net

My father is a Panthers season ticket holder so we already had tickets (In the 400s) for the game, but we actually used one of his clients' tickets which were 9 rows off the ice. They'd be big money if we were in Verizon Center. The truth here is that the lower bowl was 1/2 full at most, and I'm fairly sure most people in the lower bowl had tickets for the upper bowl and just moved down. My aunt, uncle and little cousins met us at the game (they got 4 people in for $20 total) and there were plenty empty seats next to us. Sundays are 'Family Fun Day' at Panthers games. The MC announced this before the game, then immediately introduced the Panthers Ice Dancers who did their routine. I found this extremely awkward family friendly. 

Rabbis vs Clowns in Intermission Broom Ball

There was also a Purim Party. This included a Purim costume contest at the 1st intermission. For those of you who went to Hebrew school or synagogue, you remember dressing up as Queen Ester, Mordechai, Haman, etc and waving the noisemakers, right? This nondenominational Purim party costume contest included Spiderman, Gumby and Darth Vader. It was humorous cute. They also had a Rabbi take the ceremonious 1st slap shot and the 2nd intermission included a broomball game of Rabbis vs Clowns. I love it!  
The Panthers look so small next to the Caps (especially Arnott). Our seats were on the side where the Caps shot twice. The view of the goal in front of us was excellent (which included Backstrom's goal and Semin's awesome GWG) but we could barely see the other goal through all the glass.

Caps Win in OT!

I'm used to sitting in the press box or in the high seats at Verizon Center and I forget there's actually a big benefit to height! Energy in the Bank Atlantic center was great last night. Much better than last season. The in-game entertainment is much improved which helps the overall atmosphere. We're spoiled by all the energy and show entertainment at Verizon Center that it can be a major let down at other venues.  The BAC is a quality venue so I'm glad they finally figured out how to make the game experience more exciting. Also helped that at least 1/3 of the BAC was full of Caps fans. When Semin scored the game winner (conveniently in front of me) the arena erupted in cheers. Good times. Another one crossed off the list. Now off to read Twilight by the pool, shop, and hopefully cook a turkey tonight.