The Heat is On

Saturday March 23rd 2013

After dropping Darrien and Brett home, we turned and headed to Abbotsford to watch an ice hockey game. Thankfully the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre was really easy to find. We met up with Lynn, Lindsay, Maggie and Ryan to watch the game together.

Tonight the Abbotsford Heat were playing against the Richmond Ice Hogs in the American Ice Hockey League. This is one level below the NHL so we were in for a treat.

The tournament organisers had arranged for all the players and supporters to attend the game. As we wanted to be able to choose where we sat we had bought our own tickets. After visiting the concession stalls for a range of food items including hot dogs, burgers and fries, we made our way into the arena and to our seats. We knew we were in a good location but were surprised to find we were the very first row of seats directly behind the plexi glass of the Abbotsford Heat Home Bench. The view was fantastic.

Before the game several Friendship Games players were allowed to sit on the Home Bench during the players' warm up. Others were welcomed onto the ice to stand with the players during the singing of the American and the Canadian National Anthems and some were in the High 5 tunnel where they got to give the players a high 5 as the went out to warm up.

We knew Connor would be torn about who to support tonight. Does he support Abbotsford, the feeder team for the Calgary Flames, as they are the home team, or the Ice Hogs, who are the feeder team for the Chicago Blackhawks - Connor's favourite NHL team. I think he flip flopped back and forth a little before settling on the Ice Hogs.

We really enjoyed watching the action up close. Maggie was particularly keen to watch more Friendship Hockey tomorrow after gaining a better insight into the game tonight.

Once the game got underway it was fast and furious with some very hard hits as expected. Watching the speed of their feet as they tear down the ice was amazing. It was also great being able to see their faces and exchanges as they returned to the bench.

The game was tightly contested tonight given the Ice Hogs had beaten the Heat reasonably comfortably  the previous night.

The first goal of the night was scored by Ben Walter, the son of Ryan Walter, former NHL player and Stanley Cup winner, who spoke at the Friendship Games Opening Ceremony. At the end of the second period the score was 2 nil to the Heat. We were really enjoying the game.

The action really hotted up in the final period. It was great as Jan and Trey and Connor and Josh came around to our side of the arena and sat near us. Connor and Josh were super excited because on the way around they had met Ryan Walter and were fortunate enough to shake his hand. They are learning so much about hockey in such a short space of time and Connor's enthusiasm for everything about the sport continues to grow exponentially.

In the third period, the Ice Hogs scored two quick goals to tie it up before the Heat scored late in the third to take the lead again. Much to Connor's excitement the Ice Hogs scored with 9.4 seconds left in the game, tying it up at 3 a piece and forcing the game into sudden death overtime. As per NHL rules the sudden death overtime is 4 on 4. We couldn't have asked for more.

Unfortunately for Connor with 2:43 remaining on the clock Abbotsford Heat scored sealing the victory.   So despite the Ice Hogs having 42 shots on goal compared to the Heat's 25 the lack of conversion hurt them in the end. The home crowd were very appreciative of the win and we were appreciative of getting to watch and enjoy such high level hockey. We can't wait to see an NHL game!!!