Game #50- Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks
Amway Center
February 10, 2012

Taking advantage of an east coast work trip I headed down to Orland for a 24-hour whirlwind tour. The first night was the game and the second day I got some amazing park tickets from my uncle Rich to Universal Studios Orlando. By obtaining a “golden ticket” I got to hit up every single ride in two parks in about 7 hours, unreal. Next time I have to come with Keli, she would have loved it.

The Magic play in a brand new arena that is very similar to the Staples Center in LA. The $500 million Amway Center was impeccable in every way, great acoustics, fun fan center, plenty of bars, and really clean. I got a seat by an older couple that have had season tickets for 13 years, so we had a lot of basketball to talk about. They were really excited about my sports fantasy adventure and made for a really good time. The game was a back and forth race that ended in overtime with an Atlanta win. Both teams struggled to make a shot while the Magic who regularly make about 20 3’s a game hit a very low shooting percentage. Dwight Howard struggled from the field and Hedo Turkoglu was off all night. Even sure shot JJ Reddick was off. The only player who really put his heart on the floor was Ryan Anderson. With tough rebounds, excellent blocking out, and intelligent shooting he was definitely the star of the game even in the loss. For the Hawks Josh Smith put in 23 points and had 19 rebounds while Joe Johnson scored 14 (4 in overtime) and added five assists. Down 78 to 70 with only 2 minutes left in the game the Magic scored six straight points, including back-to-back layups by Jameer Nelson, to cut it to 78-76. Following a missed jumper by Josh Smith on the other end, Orlando called a timeout with 12.2 seconds to play. Nelson drove to the basket and floated a layup attempt over Smith and Johnson that trickled of the rim, but Howard was there to dunk the rebound. The Hawks had 1.2 seconds to get off a shot, but Jeff Teague didn't release his jumper before the regulation buzzer. In OT the Hawks pushed just a little bit more coming away with the tough fought win. Final score 89-87.

My only issue is that because of the lockout I couldn’t get a hard ticket stub. May have to come back…who knows.

Game #49- Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks vs. Los Angles Kings
Rogers Arena
January 17th, 2012

On the second leg of our Canada trip and we are now in Vancouver. This is a beautiful city. We got a hotel in the heart of the Waterfront district only a block from the 2012 winter Olympic torch, pretty cool. The first day in town we went for a long walk to Stanley Park and got some great views of the city. We also ventured into the forests to see totem polls, Beaver Lake, and got a fantastic shot of the Lion’s Gate Bridge. My only issue is that my knee is killing me because the soccer injury I thought I had, a sprain, turned out to be a torn ACL and meniscus. But that was not going to stop me. We hit up China Town, Gastown, and Robson Street.

The next day we had the Kings game after an afternoon at Capilano Suspension Bridge. Unlike Calgary, the Canuck fans were definitely a lot more vocal about their thoughts on a LA fan coming to their arena. A lot of “F the Kings” as I walk by, but of course always under their breadth. But I am ok with that, I know I often do the same when I am at a home game. Once again we were in the nose bleeds but this arena is about 30 years younger than the Saddledome so there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. As for the game, the Kings had another strong effort. They were peppering all-star and gold medalist Roberto Luongo all night, and only his fantastic saves kept the Canucks in the game. Dustin Penner opened the scoring for the good guys while Justin Williams got his ninth of the season in the second period. Quick once again was amazing in goal, can’t say enough about the kid. If not for him in net I have a feeling LA would be in the cellar. On the Vancouver side Daniel Sedin put in a pretty open netter in the second to tie the game. Then in the third David Booth once again knotted things up to force overtime and the eventual shootouts. Last year LA was unreal when it came to shootouts, but this year they have struggled. Keli could feel the tension from me as my legs were bouncing up and down while my hands were icicles but tonight was OUR night! Justin Williams started the Kings off with a goal on the first attempt. The Canucks came back with a netter by Alex Burrows. But one of the most clutch players for the black and silver shot last and Mike Richards ended the game with a well placed over the blocker under the glove shot. 3-2 in the shootouts, Kings win!

The worst part of the game was the two drunken, 20 year old idiots sitting next two us. Coming in at the second period completely demolished they ran up and down to the bar about 5 times. At one point the guard behind us told them they could not get any more beer (especially since they had four full cups waiting under their seats). It got worse when the DJ played LMFAO wiggle wiggle…these two went nuts dancing like dizzy babies with broken legs. Uh...then the bitch says Fuck the Kings as she exits the arena. Should have pushed her down the stairs…

Oh yeah, did I mention Kings win!!!

Game #48-Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings
Saddle Dome
January 14th, 2012

How did I convince Keli to go with me for a two game weekend…have them be in Canada! We headed off to Calgary first for some adventure. We were completely unsure about the weather. Both of us have seen Cool Runnings countless times and every time I think about Calgary I go to the scene where the Jamaican bobsled team were leaving the airport and couldn’t step outside because of the weather. But luckily for us it was nearly 40 degrees during the day, not too shabby. The day of the game we headed out to the 1988 winter Olympic park to go bobsledding. Only one word comes to mind, AWESOME! The best way to describe the ride is to think of the fastest roller coaster mixed with no safety harness. We hit 120kpm’s as well as 5 G’s!

Heading to the game I didn’t know what to expect. I know how rabid the Canadian hockey fans are so rolling in with my 1980’s bright gold and purple Marcel Dionne jersey made me stand out like a sore thumb. When we got to the arena I didn’t see a single LA fan. Usually there are a couple stragglers but not today. The only thing that made things worse was that it was country night with the Flames, yuck…Garth Brooks. But whatever, I need a win tonight. The Kings came out strong and continued throughout the game. Maybe it was because this was coach Darryl Sutter’s return to Calgary, maybe it was because he was coaching against his brother Brent, could be that the Kings have finally turned it on this year, but whatever the reason I like it. Dustin Brown and Mike Richards each had a goal and assist while Jonathan Quick made 29 saves. The only highlight for the Flames was the return of Mike Cammalleri from the Canadians (and Kings back in the day). The ovation he got during the line up announcement was only overshadowed by the goal he scored in the second period. Other Flames notables like goalie Mikka Kiprusoff had a decent game with 20 saves while Jerome Iginla was fairly non-existent throughout the match. In the end the Kings came away with a 4-1 win and I went home a happy camper. We also found some LA fans on the way out…actually they were Mike Richards fans, but I will take it.