The time had finally come for us the see our first NHL game live at an arena. We walked down to Rogers Arena and made our way towards our entrance gate. It was funny as walking along just in front of us where the Southern Knights team from the Friendship Games. After passing the Fin Mobile, the vehicle for the Vancouver Canucks mascot, we entered the arena through the Canucks shop. Another one of the boys vouchers from their book was that they could buy NHL merhandise to the value of $40. Ryan did not find anything that he wanted but Connor bought a supporters #1 foam hand, a Canucks cap, and two Canucks player hat pins. In the shop we bumped into the Winklers which was great.
We visited the food vendors and stocked up on cheese pizza, peperoni pizza, mini donuts and drinks before heading to our seats. Although we were in the nose bleeders is was fantastic just to be there and experience the atmosphere of the die hard Canucks fans, and the view wasn't too bad.
The atmosphere as game time approached was electrifying. They lowered four banners from the arena ceiling and projected images onto them and the ice. Images of the Canucks mascot and players and fans. After the singing of the American and Canadian National Anthems it was game time.
Connor was disappointed to find that neither Zach Cassian, his favourite NHL player, or Ryan Kessler were playing tonight. He was on a bit of a high however having scoured Vancouver with his Grandad to find packets of NHL hockey cards.
Tonights game was the Canucks versus Colombus. The last time they met Colombus came out on top. It was not to be tonight. Despite their best efforts neither team could convert their shots into goals. At full-time, the Canucks had taken 31 shots to Colombus' 15 but with no reward. The game then went into sudden death over time 4 on 4 but after 5 minutes and a small number of shots each (3 to the Canucks and 2 to Colombus) it remained nil all. All that remained now was a shootout. Not good for the local fans but great for out of towners like us to get the full experience of NHL hockey.
Canucks took the first shot on goal through Burrows but he was unable to score. Next the first Colombus player was also unable to convert. Schroeder was the Canucks second shooter but unfortunately he was also unable to beat the goalie. Thankfully, Columbus' second shooter missed too. Next up for the Canucks was Lapierre. When he skated in and scored the crowd erupted. Now all the pressure was on the final Columbus shooter. Fortunately, Schnieder blocked the attempt with ease meaning the game was over with a win for the Canucks. The roar the resulted from the crowd was unbelievable!!! This was a fantastic first taste of NHL hockey. We can't wait to go again in New York.
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