The Puck Drops

Chapter 7 - Kenna

Today was the opening of the hockey season, I always loved this time of the year when I knew I would be having plans most weekends with games. I was never worried about making plans because most of the time I would be telling people I was busy and couldn't do anything. It kept me from many bad dates which I was fine with, plus I needed a guy that could handle my love of hockey and hopefully he would have the same love as I do. I was still glad that my boss had given me the season tickets for the year. It was the companies seats but they found no one else really wanted the tickets for the games so my CFO decided with all the hard work I put in that I would be able to have the whole season and not have to worry about clients in the seats because they gave me two seats and put the clients higher up to be able to talk with them when they brought them there. With the new suites opening they were talking about buying a box along with the two seats that I used.

The doors don't open until 5:45 for the game tonight for the season ticket holders to get in the building. I usually get there to be able to get in early and you can see some of the players going through their rituals before the game. I had about three hours before I needed to head over to the arena, but I had a feeling that my excitement would get me there early. The weather was still perfect, and I knew it wouldn't last long so now would be the time to get out and walk the distance from my work and leave my car in free parking and not have to fight the traffic with the few lots that they had around the arena for parking. Making it through the streets took some time but I still have 30 minutes to get to the arena before the doors open for season ticket holders. I wasn't getting held up in traffic as much and the walk wasn't that long. I made it to the one entrance that would be open and there was a little line, but it wasn't too bad most people didn't get there early because of having to wait an hour before the actual game starting. When they started taking the tickets, I made my way through security. The ticket entrance is across from my actual seat. I go through the doors to the ice and I can see some of the players sitting in seats just looking out onto the ice. I have seen many players from teams do this little ritual, I don't bother them and make my way to my seats. I could see a player getting up from the section I sit in and walk down the tunnel I thought it looked like Jackson, but I couldn't be too sure. I made it to my seat and just relaxed, I knew that the players would be doing warm-ups in a few more minutes. I pulled my Andy Andreoff jersey out of my bag and pulled it over my head. I hadn't made it to the store to get Jackson's jersey and when I looked online, they didn't have it yet. I really wanted to have one for his first game, but it seems like the world was working against me.

The crowd started picking up in the arena and the noise level was starting to grow. We had a minute until the team came out to warm up which was my queue to stand up from my chair and put my back against the glass and look down the tunnel to see the guys getting pumped to hit the ice. Everyone moved to the side to let Pasquele through so he could lead the team out. The starting goalie was always the first one out and was always leading the team. He waited until the clocked hit the right time and then made his way out onto the ice. All the guys looked pumped as they made their way through the tunnel. The crowd wasn't screaming like it would be when they were hitting the ice for game time, but this was still the first time the team was here in front of some of us. I wasn't paying attention as the players were coming through the tunnel and someone hit the glass on the door next to me causing me to jump. I turned to see Jackson skating onto the ice and away from me. I just shook my head and knew I would get pay back at some point. Once the last player hit the ice I turned back around and sat in my chair. Watching how they warmed up could tell me how they would do in the game. It was hard to see how the Binghamton Devils were doing in their warm-ups, but I knew they were projected to be a good team this year. Jackson was in line for drills and line rushes and he was slowly moving down the glass until he was in front of me. I saw him take a quick glance my way but turned around because he didn't want to get caught. Before he left, I hit the glass right behind him and just gave a smirk. The clock was counting down and players were slowly coming off the ice and going into the dressing room. Jackson was the last one to leave the ice and I had a feeling it was because he was still the new kid to the team and wanted to prove himself. The clock ran out and all the players were now in the dressing rooms and the fans were all in their seats now. It was the start of the first game.

The game ended after two and half hours and it was an amazing first game. We won the game and it was a great start for the Crunch. They did the three stars of the game where the players come out to the ice and throw a shirt into the crowd. With everything being done everyone was now clearing out of their seats. I made my way to where the players meet family and friends. I had to get through the checkpoint with security which didn't take too long. Once I was through, I took my jersey off and put it in my bag I didn't want to see Jackson with someone else's jersey on just yet. I knew it would be a few more minutes until the team would be released from the coach talking about how the game went. Sitting there waiting I was thinking about the game and how we did win by one point and it was a close game, but it made every minute worthwhile. After ten minutes' players started making their way out of the room and heading to their families. I was beginning to second guess if I should be down here because it was mostly wives and girlfriends and I didn't want anyone to get the idea that we were dating. Jackson made his way out with a group of guys and they started to break off and go to their girls. He looked down and started walking towards the door before he finally saw me and gave a smile.

"Hey that was a great game."