This was the last big hoorah until we find out what's going on with my job. Dan and I always wanted to go to this event and said that when the Caps were in, we'd be there!
Originally, we were going to Pittsburgh on Friday and stay until Sunday. We got a hotel reservation too. Then we found out that the
Caps Road Crew was taking buses for $60 per person. GAME ON! So much cheaper. We were going to have to spend like $150 each night. Plus, Dan was originally supposed to work the whole weekend. This way, he only had to take one day off instead of all three.
Friday, the pups went in different directions. Zed to Grandma's (Dan's mom's house) and Esa to
Howl of a Good Time. Originally, Zed was supposed to go to Howl of a Good Time also, but since the little incident of him going to the emergency vet, we thought the kennel might be too much for him and off to Grandma's he went.
Friday night the NHL changed the time to 8 pm instead of 1 pm because of rain in the forecast. THAT was nice, since we would had to have gotten up at 4 am to get to the bus in Frederick Maryland. Instead, we got to sleep in a little. We met the bus around 11:30, but didn't head out until about 1 pm because there were people who weren't able to fit on the bus, so we waited for another bus to pick them up. They played the
HBO 24/7 show. Which was great since we don't get HBO and I'm just hoping that they sell the DVD of it. First stop was at
Breezewood for about 30 minutes. Enough to grab something to eat.
We reached
Heinz Field about 5 pm. When we got there, it was 54 degrees - what happened to the winter weather? That was fine though. We decided to leave out snow pants on the bus and carry our layers. It worked out. The only thing that got cold for me were my hands and my ears. The weather wasn't too bad. During the first 2 periods, there were sprinkles, then for the last 15 minutes of the 3rd period - constant rain. However, I really didn't feel wet and when we got back to the bus to take off the layers (bottom - long johns and jeans which stayed on the whole time; the top - long johns, long sleeve Caps shirt, Caps pullover, Canvas barn jacket and then my
Brashear jersey), I was pretty dry. I had my jersey on the outside, so maybe the nylon didn't soak the rain up.
We walked all around the stadium to the different booths that they had - different interactive things and beer tents - and took some scenic pictures. We met up with one of my co-workers before the game and just chatted (since we didn't have time to hang out much) and went into the stadium around 6:30 pm.
We walked, up and up and up the ramp (to many chants of "Let's Go Pens"). We finally got to the Main Level and it was wall to wall people. We TRIED to get into the "store" but couldn't. We gave up and went up to our level. Luckily, there was a small merchandise booth, so we were able to get our usual pins (to make into magnets for the frig) and gifts for grandma & grandpa for watching Zed. I realize that this was a Pens home game, but you would think that the "Winter Classic" merchandise mix would have been more even. Anything that had Winter Classic, have both names and not just one (Pittsburgh). Anyway, with a heavy heart, we got a scarf for grandma that had "winter classic" on it, but only had Pittsburgh's logo.
We finally got to our seats after going in the wrong way and scooting by everyone - all most everyone in our row was a Caps fan. We were on the end (just like our Verizon seats). It wasn't long before the pre-game began. They didn't announce the band that started playing, but as soon as the first few notes, I knew it was
Hinder. I didn't recognize the 2nd song (the sound system wasn't on correctly - plus I didn't know they have a new cd - it might have been from that). I have been wanting to see Hinder FOREVER. We were supposed to go see them this summer in Baltimore at an outdoor free concert, but there was a downpour in the forecast, so I said forget it.
The Anthems were sung by someone I didn't know for the Canadian Anthem, but the National Anthem was song by 
Jackie Evancho
. I had seen her on Oprah and couldn't believe her voice. WOW! Still can't believe it when you actually see her in person singing!
Game on, with Pens fans chanting "Let's Go Pens" so Caps fans started chanting "C-A-P-S! CAPS, CAPS, CAPS" Pens scored first. But Caps came back and won 3-1. WOOHOO!
They had music between the periods with The Clarks
(a local Pittsburgh band) and then they had Styx
. The funny thing is the announcer (some girl) announced them as The Styx. I was like "Who?", then close up on the singer and I'm like "That's Tommy Shaw! It's Styx!" I NEVER thought I would EVER see them in person (or at least play 2 songs in person).
I didn't watch too much of the first period because we were chitchatting with the (very, very drunk) guys behind us, but both of us were having fun. They left right before the end of the 1st and we never saw them again. Found out that they were from Toronto and they were just picking on me the majority of the first period because of my Brashear jersey. It was all good. My cheeks were hurting from laughing so much. I hope they made it home safely and didn't get in trouble at the game. Like I said, they were REALLY drunk.
Pens fans were quiet on the walk out of the stadium - except for ALL of us starting to chant "Philly Sucks" and people saying to each other - "At least that's something we can agree upon". It was rough getting out of the stadium - we were moving like a herd of cows. We were about the last couple back on the bus. I couldn't believe it, but must be everyone else had seats down lower or left a little early (plus we made a pitstop before walking down the ramp).
The ride home was a straight shot. Almost everyone was sleeping when we got to Breezewood, so we continued on. We got to Frederick about 3 am, did a drive-thru at the McDonald's and got home around 4 am. When we walked in the house, I said "I prefer getting home at 4 am than getting up at 4 am!".
We slept until about 10 am, went our separate ways to get the pups, had lunch at home, and then Dan went to work.
It was an exhausting weekend (I was still tired by Tuesday), but so worth it!
when I lived in Hornell (in 1989). I can remember listening over and over to "Sometimes She Cries" after my parents passed while I sat there crying. I think that's why it's such a tragedy to me and why this has really touched me.
at Hammerjacks, I was there. The last time I saw the band was 
