Something very unexpected occurred when we moved to Florida. I became a hockey fan.
It's perhaps a backwards experience from most hockey fans. We moved from SE Michigan, a short 30 minute drive from Hockeytown, USA. During our time in The Mitten, I only attended one Redwings game. I occasionally watched regular season broadcast games. I watched all the Stanley Cups Finals games, but you couldn't call me a fan. I lived in an area with an Original 6 team and never really cared. When we moved to Florida in April 2011, I was looking for something to jump into. I needed an activity, something to keep me distracted. April just happens to be the start of the NHL playoffs. Lucky for me the Tampa Bay Lightning made the playoffs that year. Not only did the Lightning make the playoffs, they went all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. During their playoff run I was bit by the Hockey bug. Playoff hockey is incredible! The emotions in the arena of the players and the fans is something everyone should experience just once. We immediately purchased a season ticket plan for the 2011-2012 season. Yup, all 42 (including preseason) games. We actually went to 38 of those 42 games. I loved every minutes of those games. The wins and the losses.
Unfortunately, I have not experienced that joy since the end of the 2011-2012 season. The teams, players, and fans are in lockout mode. Fortunately, this lockout should end today. While I wait for the official announcement, I find myself going through last year's hockey photos. Photos have a way of taking you back to the emotion of the moment. I am looking forward to hockey more than I was even a week ago. As I wait out these last few hours, I feel I should share some of those photos. Perhaps someone else will see them, want to go to a game, and find a new enjoyment never considered before.
#BeTheThunder :)
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