I’m really starting to love these sales events.  Why?  Because they’re working!!

 

As this was the first open practice of the season, IQ and I decided to take a little break from Christmas shopping and meet each other for “coffee at the glass” as we like to call it.  I arrived at the parking lot just after 10 am, and was pleasantly surprised to see a nice clump of cars in the left lot by the main entrance.  Good sign!

 

It was FREEZING, and you’d think we would be smart enough to button our coats and put on our gloves, but no.  We walked in the cold wind with our Starbucks cups in hand and were greeted by Sparky who tried to steal IQ’s Starbucks!  Mr. Cornils had his eye out on him, and stopped him before he could run off with it.  Although, how fast can a guy run in a suit that large with stuffed wings flapping in the wind?  We could have caught him ourselves.

 

Inside we were pleased to see “The Walking Wounded,” Aaron Johnson and Jon Sim signing autographs and taking pictures with fans.  They were seated, of course.  Aaron recognized me from the interview I had done with him and flashed that amazing smile.  He said he was doing very well, and getting better all the time.  GREAT NEWS!! Hopefully, we’ll see him back in the line-up real soon.

 

There was something else inside that pleased me too:  there were lines at the ticket windows.  Ok, tell me AGAIN that hockey is DEAD on Long Island.  Go ahead… I dare you.

 

Once inside the arena, I instinctively walked down to the glass and put down my purse and camera.  I looked up at the top of the stairs where IQ was standing holding her tea.  “No, No, No.  THREE up.”

 

“Three?”  I answered her.  “Yes!  Three!”  I obliged, of course, and moved up.  The team was not out on the ice yet as I unpacked my camera and my notebook.  I looked across the ice and watched as the “real” media were taking their place in a little huddle next to the visitor’s tunnel.  I started counting heads, papers on available seats and taking notes.

 

“You’re no fun anymore!” IQ mumbled.  “What?” I asked only half-listening.  “You work all the time now.  Work, work, write, and write. ‘What are you doing?’ Blogging, leave me alone.’ ”

 

She was half right; But I’ve never told her to leave me alone.  But I have been more preoccupied lately.  I apologized to my best friend…. and continued to take notes.

 

The crowd filled in nicely to watch the practice.  Mostly men with their children as Big Angry Man pointed out that most people on Long Island would be out Christmas shopping today.  (I think that was a hint I was SUPPOSED to be shopping instead of parked at the glass.)

 

Ted received a nice round of applause as he skated out, as did the rest of the team as they entered one by one.  The children rushed up to the glass and crowded each other trying to get the players to toss them pucks.  Sillinger and Comrie obliged.  The mood seemed pretty light considering the opponent this evening.  Only Ted seemed pensive and deep in thought as he skated around the ice.

 

NYIC member “2 For Roughing” and his beautiful five-year-old daughter were there taking in the practice.  We chatted with them for awhile.

 

“Who’s your favorite player now?” IQ asked her.

 

She didn’t have an answer.  It seems Aaron Asham was her FAVORITE player, and Daddy told us she was devastated when he was traded.  “She cried.  I have to try to take her to Jersey to see him.”  He said.

 

“Don’t worry sweetheart.  I know how you feel.  I was devastated when they lost Blake.   I cried too.”

 

“You’re not five.” I heard IQ say in my left ear, and that got quite a smile out of the little Asham fan’s father, and a snide look from me before we laughed about it.  I’m bringing extra tissues on the 26^th.

 

Having seen drills at Iceworks, I did notice today’s practice wasn’t nearly as grueling.  It was more relaxed and there were no shrill whistles sounding.  But I believe game-day practices are optional.  Bruno stayed out later than most of the team and practiced his shot from the blue line on Dubie.  The kids called to him over and over and pucks started to make their way over the glass into the first row.

 

I watched some patrons chatting with sales reps picking out their NEW seats.  There were quite a few available in the 300s, but not many to be had in the 200s.  So, I take it, that’s a GOOD sign.

 

As practice ended we contemplated staying to watch the Penguins and Sidney.  I thought better of it, as I already was behind schedule for today in my chores.  I stopped by the Blog Box to leave a note for my cohorts since I won’t be there tonight.  Hopefully it’s still there when they arrive and isn’t picked up by the cleaning crew.

 

OH!  And if you ever wondered….. YES!!!  There really IS a cleaning crew!!!  I watched as various mop pushing employees swabbed the tiers of the bowl.  Don’t ask me if they did a job worthy of the military, but at least, I saw mops.

 

Everyone have a great time tonight if you’re heading over to the Coliseum.  I’ll be getting updates on my phone.  So, for sure…. Tonight will be the night Bergie gets his goal… and I won’t be able to see it.  Damn it!