My 1st San Jose Sharks hockey game!
I finally saw my first San Jose Sharks hockey game! (Ice hockey, of course). It wasn't my first hockey game in general, as I've attended several games of the various womens' hockey leagues my friend Becky (non-LJ) belongs to. But this was the first time I got to see the Sharks, which is kind of embarrassing and unpatriotic (in a civic type of way), since San Jose is my hometown! *blush*
Click the cut below to read my amusing observations and see some interesting photos (including a "high-tech" dessert I ate!) Also, you'll learn if the Sharks won or lost the game. ;)
Becky's dad gets a season ticket package to attend Sharks home games, but he couldn't use this pair, so Becky invited me and I was very excited -- for the above reason. ;) The game was at the San Jose Arena, which has since been renamed the HP Pavilion, but I'm not a fan of how all the country's event venues (or at least those in California) seem to be losing their original and nicely descriptive names, and instead taking the monikers of their corporate bigwig sponsors. *chuckle*
Anyhoo, I learned many new things about hockey today, which of course helps me to enjoy the game even more. I've picked up some things by attending Becky's league games, but most of the time, there are only a few spectators scattered around, and I don't generally bug strangers to explain a sporting event to me. However, at the Sharks game, Becky was right next to me, and was very patient and glad to help me learn the finer points of this game she loves. :) We also happened to have good seats, which didn't do any harm!
Here's a shot of the Sharks as they skated onto the ice at the beginning of the game. I thought the giant glowing "shark mouth" they emerged from was pretty cool. As always, click any pic in this entry to view a larger version.
One of the most amusing things was hearing how some fans express their excitement. Some guy in one of the sections held his hands to his mouth and literally ROARED! I don't think he was saying anything -- just making a unique and loud noise. *smirk*
And some man behind Becky and I kept yelling "instructions" to the players (not that they could hear him - LOL) and shouting comments to his friends. (He also cheered when he was happy). He was a one-man Peanut Gallery and would have become quite annoying if he'd kept at it constantly. Fortunately, he knew when to be loud and when to be quiet.
Here's one of the times I think he was cheering, but I'm not sure. I call this "...and the crowd goes wild!" Following it is a random shot of some game play, but not related to the cheering photo.
Speaking of wildness, that brings to mind Section 209, which Becky told me has been infamous for years for its loudness and its comments. Apparently many of the same folks buy seats in that section for that very reason. One of the things they chanted (that I could figure out over all the noise) was "Hey you suck!" but I don't recall if was when a player made a bad play, or a referee made a bad call.
Speaking of such things, I was mortified and surprised at the rude way many Sharks fans treated the guest team, the Dallas Stars. I suppose this goes on at all hockey games, but I really don't know. What happened was, the Sharks fans often booed the Stars when the Stars got a point or made a good play. Hello?? What kind of good sportsmanship is THAT? I totally agree with cheering and yelling and rooting for your own team, and I also agree it's okay to boo when someone (on EITHER team) makes a violation that sends them to the Penalty Box, or if a referee makes a truly bad call.
However, I do NOT agree it's okay to boo just because you're upset that your team wasn't the one to have something good happen. Obviously, Sharks fans are not happy when an opposing team earns a point, but I think in that case, the fans should follow the old rule we all supposedly learn as kids: "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything." Come on and grow up, people! >:0 Especially because so many fans brought their kids with them! If I had kids, I sure wouldn't want them to think it's okay to be rude and ungracious to an opponent. No one likes to be booed and treated dissfully. And that's certainly not the way to play a sport. If the booing Sharks fans were sitting in a Dallas arena, watching the Sharks play the Stars on the Stars' home ice, how would THEY (the Sharks fans) like to hear their team constantly booed? But of course they don't think or care about such a scenario.
I've never liked playing any sport (well, except badminton), because I am very NON-competitive, plus I'm not particularly strong, and I'm very fearful of getting injured and/or hit. However, if I WAS into sports, I'd always treat my opponents with the same honour and respect that I'd like for myself. And I'd remember that it's not just if you win or lose; it's how you play the game. Isn't all of this what good sportsmanship is all about? Or am I just being an idealistic fool as usual? *blush*
Okay, I'm off my soapbox and on to something completely different! ;D During the break between the 1st and 2nd period (there's three periods), I left my seat to stretch my legs, use the restroom and get a snack. I was gleefully surprised to find that among all the concessions being sold, Dippin' Dots were among them! If you love ice cream (as I do), you MUST try Dippin' Dots! Click the link for more info.
They're tiny balls of ice cream (many yummy flavours are available) that are flash-frozen using a special cryogenic process. It sounds weird, but I saw it on the Food Network's "Unwrapped" program once, and it doesn't look as weird as it sounds! (heehee) Dippin' Dots aren't sold in stores, which sucks, but that's because they have to be kept and dispensed from freezers that are colder than the ones at grocery store or convenience stores. But you can get them at certain amusement/theme parks, sports/events stadiums, shopping malls and festivals.
Here's a photo of my cup of "Rainbow Sherbet" Dippin' Dots. The background is my jeans, as I was balancing the cup on my lap. I really like the texture, shape and colour of these dots -- they made for a great macro shot! (Be sure to click it for a wild close-up!) I might even put this in my online portfolio. :)
Well, I'd better wrap up this rant. When the three periods were over, the Sharks and Stars were tied. The game then went into a five-minute overtime, but STILL no additional points were scored! I would have been happy leaving it as a tie, but apparently that's not allowed in hockey. (Is it allowed in any other sports?)
Then the game went into a "shootout" that I didn't quite understand. It consisted of both teams' goalies guarding their goals, with ONE player from each time taking turns, trying to shoot the puck into their opponent's goal. It seemed there were a fixed number of individuals from each time to do this, because after either 6 or 8 shootouts (half by one team, half by the other), suddenly it was all over, and the team who'd added the most points to their total won. I think I must have missed something, because at one point the Sharks were ahead, and an even number of shootouts had taken place, but then it kept going! So I'd assume the shootouts have to continue for a fixed number of attempts, which as I said above were either 6 or 8, if I recall correctly. Help, anyone??? (Becky had to leave before the 3rd period was over, so she wasn't around to explain things when the shootout began).
Oh -- and at the end of it all, the Sharks lost -- by ONE point! :(
Click the cut below to read my amusing observations and see some interesting photos (including a "high-tech" dessert I ate!) Also, you'll learn if the Sharks won or lost the game. ;)
Becky's dad gets a season ticket package to attend Sharks home games, but he couldn't use this pair, so Becky invited me and I was very excited -- for the above reason. ;) The game was at the San Jose Arena, which has since been renamed the HP Pavilion, but I'm not a fan of how all the country's event venues (or at least those in California) seem to be losing their original and nicely descriptive names, and instead taking the monikers of their corporate bigwig sponsors. *chuckle*
Anyhoo, I learned many new things about hockey today, which of course helps me to enjoy the game even more. I've picked up some things by attending Becky's league games, but most of the time, there are only a few spectators scattered around, and I don't generally bug strangers to explain a sporting event to me. However, at the Sharks game, Becky was right next to me, and was very patient and glad to help me learn the finer points of this game she loves. :) We also happened to have good seats, which didn't do any harm!
Here's a shot of the Sharks as they skated onto the ice at the beginning of the game. I thought the giant glowing "shark mouth" they emerged from was pretty cool. As always, click any pic in this entry to view a larger version.
One of the most amusing things was hearing how some fans express their excitement. Some guy in one of the sections held his hands to his mouth and literally ROARED! I don't think he was saying anything -- just making a unique and loud noise. *smirk*
And some man behind Becky and I kept yelling "instructions" to the players (not that they could hear him - LOL) and shouting comments to his friends. (He also cheered when he was happy). He was a one-man Peanut Gallery and would have become quite annoying if he'd kept at it constantly. Fortunately, he knew when to be loud and when to be quiet.
Here's one of the times I think he was cheering, but I'm not sure. I call this "...and the crowd goes wild!" Following it is a random shot of some game play, but not related to the cheering photo.
Speaking of wildness, that brings to mind Section 209, which Becky told me has been infamous for years for its loudness and its comments. Apparently many of the same folks buy seats in that section for that very reason. One of the things they chanted (that I could figure out over all the noise) was "Hey you suck!" but I don't recall if was when a player made a bad play, or a referee made a bad call.
Speaking of such things, I was mortified and surprised at the rude way many Sharks fans treated the guest team, the Dallas Stars. I suppose this goes on at all hockey games, but I really don't know. What happened was, the Sharks fans often booed the Stars when the Stars got a point or made a good play. Hello?? What kind of good sportsmanship is THAT? I totally agree with cheering and yelling and rooting for your own team, and I also agree it's okay to boo when someone (on EITHER team) makes a violation that sends them to the Penalty Box, or if a referee makes a truly bad call.
However, I do NOT agree it's okay to boo just because you're upset that your team wasn't the one to have something good happen. Obviously, Sharks fans are not happy when an opposing team earns a point, but I think in that case, the fans should follow the old rule we all supposedly learn as kids: "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything." Come on and grow up, people! >:0 Especially because so many fans brought their kids with them! If I had kids, I sure wouldn't want them to think it's okay to be rude and ungracious to an opponent. No one likes to be booed and treated dissfully. And that's certainly not the way to play a sport. If the booing Sharks fans were sitting in a Dallas arena, watching the Sharks play the Stars on the Stars' home ice, how would THEY (the Sharks fans) like to hear their team constantly booed? But of course they don't think or care about such a scenario.
I've never liked playing any sport (well, except badminton), because I am very NON-competitive, plus I'm not particularly strong, and I'm very fearful of getting injured and/or hit. However, if I WAS into sports, I'd always treat my opponents with the same honour and respect that I'd like for myself. And I'd remember that it's not just if you win or lose; it's how you play the game. Isn't all of this what good sportsmanship is all about? Or am I just being an idealistic fool as usual? *blush*
Okay, I'm off my soapbox and on to something completely different! ;D During the break between the 1st and 2nd period (there's three periods), I left my seat to stretch my legs, use the restroom and get a snack. I was gleefully surprised to find that among all the concessions being sold, Dippin' Dots were among them! If you love ice cream (as I do), you MUST try Dippin' Dots! Click the link for more info.
They're tiny balls of ice cream (many yummy flavours are available) that are flash-frozen using a special cryogenic process. It sounds weird, but I saw it on the Food Network's "Unwrapped" program once, and it doesn't look as weird as it sounds! (heehee) Dippin' Dots aren't sold in stores, which sucks, but that's because they have to be kept and dispensed from freezers that are colder than the ones at grocery store or convenience stores. But you can get them at certain amusement/theme parks, sports/events stadiums, shopping malls and festivals.
Here's a photo of my cup of "Rainbow Sherbet" Dippin' Dots. The background is my jeans, as I was balancing the cup on my lap. I really like the texture, shape and colour of these dots -- they made for a great macro shot! (Be sure to click it for a wild close-up!) I might even put this in my online portfolio. :)
Well, I'd better wrap up this rant. When the three periods were over, the Sharks and Stars were tied. The game then went into a five-minute overtime, but STILL no additional points were scored! I would have been happy leaving it as a tie, but apparently that's not allowed in hockey. (Is it allowed in any other sports?)
Then the game went into a "shootout" that I didn't quite understand. It consisted of both teams' goalies guarding their goals, with ONE player from each time taking turns, trying to shoot the puck into their opponent's goal. It seemed there were a fixed number of individuals from each time to do this, because after either 6 or 8 shootouts (half by one team, half by the other), suddenly it was all over, and the team who'd added the most points to their total won. I think I must have missed something, because at one point the Sharks were ahead, and an even number of shootouts had taken place, but then it kept going! So I'd assume the shootouts have to continue for a fixed number of attempts, which as I said above were either 6 or 8, if I recall correctly. Help, anyone??? (Becky had to leave before the 3rd period was over, so she wasn't around to explain things when the shootout began).
Oh -- and at the end of it all, the Sharks lost -- by ONE point! :(