now that my i have regained a bit of feeling in my fingers, i am able to type yet another hockey post. i went to another outdoor hockey game yesterday, yes that’s 2 days in a row. this time it was the winter classic, just a mile away from my little house in the big house, michigan stadium. usually the site of my university of michigan wolverines football team. this time it had been turned into an outdoor hockey pond and was a matchup between the current detroit red wings and the toronto maple leafs.
it began early in the morning, the temperature had dropped yet again, it had been snowing all night, continued on throughout the entire game, and is still snowing today. no matter, we began with a beer at the local wolverine brewery, donned our gear, and began the walk to the stadium. after about 100 feet, a van of wings’ fans picked us up and gave us a ride the rest of the way. it was a good sign.
upon arriving at the stadium, spirits were high, people were packing all kinds of whiskey and warmups into their hoods, security was impossible due to the bulky clothing, and i kicked many a beer can on my way in. fans from both countries poured in, excited, fired up, and oblivious to the weather.
even some of the wings and leafs players had a bit of soccer fun outside of the stadium before the game
once in, we quickly made our way to the concessions, where there was hot chocolate and both american and canadian beers to be purchased, and i encountered 2 very friendly canadian fans.
we then found our seats and settled in for the game. in a show of support, players from the alumni game the day before were in attendance, along with the usa women’s olympic hockey team. it was so cold and snowy, no one minded huddling with the enemy, and drinks and hand warmers and blankets were shared all around. loyal cheers and comments abounded, ‘now THIS is hockey!,’ ‘what it’s meant to be!’, ‘this is kick-ass!’, heard from fans nearby. cold drinks froze within minutes, and hot dogs and pizza were cold within seconds. could’ve used the suzy cozy beer mitt for this game. that is, before they ran out of molson, and hot chocolate, and pizza.
they played their hearts out and had to keep stopping the game for a crew to come out and snow shovel while skating.
in the end, it went into double overtime, with a stop of game right in the middle of our captain, zetterberg’s rush on goal, in order to trade sides and be fair, and resulted in a sad shootout loss for the wings. but they played like warriors, and that includes all those in the stands.
as we left the stadium, exhilarated and worn out, and walked a mile back to our brewery through deep snow and the ongoing blizzard, clad in layer upon layer of heavy clothing, (Imagine being a sumo running up a sand dune), we knew it had all been worthwhile. even if we couldn’t feel all our digits. upon arriving back at my cozy little cottage, i took off my layers, went directly into a warm bathtub with a glass of wine, and was asleep and dreaming about this magnificent day by 7:30pm.
the discarded layers: polar full length down jacket with hood, hoodie sweatshirt with hood, turtleneck, neck warmer, wrap around scarf, knee high lace up boots, thermal tops and bottoms, wool tights, red wings hat, 2 pairs of thermal socks, hand and foot warmers, blanket, seat cushion, ski band, thin gloves, ski gloves, running tights, and chapstick. bring it, winter.
Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory. – William Barclay
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
Winter warrior indeed! looks like you had a great time ^.^
LikeLike
andy – it was wonderful from beginning to end )
LikeLike
Now that’s the way to kick off the year 🙂
LikeLike
That was a crazy call to blow the whistle on the breakaway. I’ve never seen that done before. Still, a shoot-out is always exciting. I anticipated the worst, as the Leafs haven’t had much success in shootouts this season. Our house erupted in whoops and hollers when Bozak’s went in. 🙂 Those were two great games/experiences that you got Beth – lucky girl!
LikeLike
nancy – i so agree, but all part of the craziness of the day. yes, i feel lucky and happy you watched and for the cheers )
LikeLike
Brrrr!!! I attended a baseball game once (in the middle of May, no less!) where the windchill was about 30 degrees, and I was absolutely miserable. I couldn’t imagine watching anything under the weather conditions you just outlined! Hockey fans must be a different breed!
LikeLike
evil – hahahahha, yes i guess that is an understatement
LikeLike
That looks like a helluva good time. Very jealous!
LikeLike
robert – it absolutely was )
LikeLike
Wait… you blog about sports???
LikeLike
pouring – well, just one of the many things i enjoy in life, so yes –
LikeLike
I don’t have the organized sports gene…
LikeLike
Beautiful,blogr -Thank you for share it for us !Happy new year…May God spread prosperity and joy in your life on this New Year and fulfill all your dreams.With love Maxima
LikeLike
you are very welcome ) beth
LikeLike
I watched the game from the tredmill and bilke at the gym. Great game.
LikeLike
it was )
LikeLike
We watched. It looked amazingly cold. Lambeau-esque, if you will.
Miss Detroit and the Red Wings.
LikeLike
a perfect response, jan. how long did you live here?
LikeLike
Lived in Michigan until I was about 26 – Hudson, Hastings, Southfield, Mt. Pleasant, East Lansing, and Flint. Spend a lot of time in the U.P. Not a fan of the Lions or Tigers (well, a little bit) but a soft spot for the Red Wings. Would have loved to have been at that game — though not sure I’d have your grit.
LikeLike
I love competitive sports, but brrr- I don’t know if I could have endured those conditions. It looks like a blast from my cozy chair in mild Austin. The only time I came close to being that cold was at a Dallas Cowboys game in an ice storm. The kids were little and one of them stepped in a puddle on the way into the game. It was miserable.
LikeLike
well, i guess you have to be in a hockey frame of mind in order to choose to do this, apparently i was )
LikeLike
OH gosh.. You were at that game? LOL We are BIG University of Michigan fans and Detroit as well. (I love Calvin Johnson… loved him at Ga. Tech) I didn’t realize they used the football field for hockey. That is a HUGE place! We watched them trying to scrape the snow off the ice before the game began, but my hubby has (this man thing) a problem with holding the remote. He bounces around so much that I don’t think we ever watched one game… LOL 😀
LikeLike
oh yes, it was an amazing conversion of the field to say the least – even if you didn’t get to watch it, at least you know the outcome now )
LikeLike
UMaine’s Jimmy Howard looked good despite the loss. 🙂
LikeLike
well, yes. until the shootout perhaps )
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Geez … now I’m all green with envy! Obviously it was a lot of fun to be there … 🙂
LikeLike
it was a riot, a very cold riot, but a riot none the less )
LikeLike
I love those beer mitts!! Handy to have huh? Im glad you survived the cold!:)
LikeLike
and i wish they had been there, but what a great concept ) happy to have survived as well –
LikeLike
I watched the highlights on TV. Amazing. Wish I were there.
LikeLike
you would have loved it, david )
LikeLike
I saw the highlights on tv as well! How awesome and exciting. Sounds like you were well prepared and had a fab time. What a great experience!
LikeLike
exciting was the word of the day for sure )
LikeLike
…and that’s how I remember our hockey from 100 years ago, including the sumo outfits of warmth, but then I am Canadian, eh. Although, being from the West means I am forbidden to like the Leafs. Go Canucks! 🙂
LikeLike
ah, so you know of what i speak. and i understand team loyalty )
LikeLike
im not a fan, or watch as we don’t do this here, but loved the photo of you getting kissed by the fans- just look how happy you are…. awww. 🙂 x
LikeLike
got my aussie son in law into the game when he was here, but i know it’s not too big in your hemisphere ) just one of many happy moments that day –
LikeLike
I am glad..if we had snow perhaps it would be more so lol x
LikeLike
I suppose this isn’t any crazier than strapping boards on your feet and sliding down a mountain in a blizzard at 10 below … and I don’t do that either! 😉 (But if I were 30 years younger … )
LikeLike
this is true and there is still time )
LikeLike
Sounds like great fun was had by all. We couldn’t believe it when we were watching the news and saw a camera sweep of the packed stadium and dense snow falling.
LikeLike
i was fun. and cold. and the crowd was united in being a part of the day, never stopped snowing for a minute.
LikeLike
Ah, hockey. I love the game. Living in Dallas is hard on me in that sense, though. No real hockey occurs this far south since the departures of Brett Hull and Mike Modano. Texas is woeful hockey country.
LikeLike
yes, somehow even though i know it happens there, it seems just a bit out of place )
LikeLike
You’re insane. But it sounded and looked like a lot of fun. It’s pretty darn ccccold.
LikeLike
well, yes to both )
LikeLike
Wow! What a summary of quite an endurance test of your fan-dom! I am sure that you were freezing, I have had a few times where my fingers have gone totally numb in my lifetime being equally ‘foolish’ and yet, funloving, too! This was awesome and loved your quote, too, Beth!
LikeLike
thanks robin, and while it was mighty cold, it was also mighty fun )
LikeLike
loved the beer mitts. I’ve not seen those before. Looks like a pretty handy thing to have in that kind of weather.
LikeLike
a rather brilliant invention )
LikeLike
Layers are key. I remember, I remember. Sounds like an awesome good time.
LikeLike
yes, layer upon layer, upon layer……. it was great fun )
LikeLike
The event was all over the news. Amazing that you were part of that crowd!
LikeLike
well, it was great fun )
LikeLike
Pingback: Guest Post from Beth of I Didn’t Have My Glasses On, on Unexpected Treasures |