Crosby Part 1

So, my wonderful birthday week turned into a wonderful birthday weekend and I didn't complain.

Friday, I went to dinner with Jenn, Morgan, and Sib - no better way to spend time. After dinner, I went to Jenn's with TJ to hang out some more. We watched MIAMI win the MAC championship game after going just 1-11 last season. Feels great. Love and honor.

Saturday, I forced got Jenn and TJ to drive with me to Columbus to get tickets for the Penguins vs. Blue Jackets game. Because the game was sold out, we wanted a shot at the $10 Huntington Green tickets that go on sale two hours before gametime. The catch? There are only 250 seats. We got to Nationwide Arena at around 2:00 and there was already a decent line outside. However, we decided we had time to eat lunch before waiting.

We crossed the street, had a nice lunch, then walked back over to Nationwide. This time, however, the line was considerably longer and I started to panic - especially when the veteran line-waiter in front of us informed us that we were pretty far back and it would be close. So, we waited. I complained. I threatened to cry. I considered buying tickets from a scalper. It snowed. We froze.

We waited like this for 2 hours. Jenn and TJ trying to distract me from the task at hand with ridiculous stories. At 5:00, they opened the ticket booth and the line started moving. Despite the warning from the man in front of us, we got three tickets together in the second-to-last row and right behind the net.

The game was wonderful - totally worth the wait in the cold and the ridiculous nerves. The ratio of Pens fans to Blue Jackets fans was sad. It was essentially a home game for the Penguins and the arena rang with cheers of "MVP" (for Crosby) and "Fleury!" I was in my glory.

The Pens ended up winning, 7-2. Only one fight erupted and Geno didn't play (due to a sore left knee), but the game was so exciting. Sid scored TWO goals (and so did Paul Martin), with other goals from Mike Rupp, Deryk Engelland, and Tyler Kennedy. I got to stare at former teammates for Team Canada, Rick Nash and Sid, for a full hour and it wasn't creepy. That sounds like the perfect night to me.

Nationwide during warm-ups.

The amazingly gorgeous robot that is Sidney Crosby.

Max Talbot's face-off.

The amazing best friends who endured the freezing temperatures, cold snow, my worried complaints, and sexual remarks aimed at Crosby. They are strong, strong individuals.