Last night I went to see a hockey game; Frankfurt Lions vs. Sinupret Ice Tigers from Nürnberg. I finally got to see a hockey game again. I miss watching hockey games. Not just the game though, but the atmosphere of a hockey arena, the smell of the ice, the smelly hockey players and the atmosphere …yes, good old memories came back to mind.
It was in the morning when my brother called and asked me if I wanted to go see the Lions game that night, and that he had free tickets and didn’t want to go. Yes, I wanted to go. Knowing that three of my ex-collegues like hockey too, I sent emails to them asking if they wanted to come. Well, in the end it was only one of my friends, Stolli, and I who went.
We didn’t get ticktes for seats but at least we could pretty much choose where we’d stand during the game. I wanted to be in the first row. Sure, you don’t have a great view of the game and can’t tell if the refs are taking right decisions when calling offside, but at least you get to see parts of the game real close, get to see the players’ faces and the hits. Well, it’s not like there are many hits comparing to the NHL, but there are some and there were quiet a few that happened right in front of us.
At 7.30 pm the game finally started. In the first period both teams played a very fast and physical game. Both teams had quiet a few chances to score but the two goalies, Ian Gordon and Dimitrij Kotschnew, did a great job. However, the Ice Tigers managed to score in the 19th minute of the first period and took the lead.
Break. Stolli and I went outside for a cigarette where we met another ex-collegue and his wife. The whole family goes to see pretty much all the Lion’s games and have seasonal tickets for pretty much the best seats.
Stolli and I decided to get back to our spots before somebody else would take them and watched the second period. It was a pretty intense game and the fans tried to support the Lions as much as possible. The Ice Tigers had quite a few shots on the Lions’ net but Ian saved them all.
32nd minutes into the game, the Lions finally scored their first goal. During a powerplay, Jeff Ulmer, right wing of the Lions, took a slap shot and scored.
A few minutes later, the Ice Tigers were shorthanded again but managed to score anyways. The two defense players of the Lions had failed to stop Aleksander Polaczek again and he was on a breakaway. The Nürnberg Ice Tigers lead 2:1 when the second period was over.
Stolli and I went outside to buy some French fries, when we met Klaus and his family again. The fries were the most disgusting fries I had in a long time. I am sure they haven’t changed the oil in the deep fryer in years! Gross! I really can’t recommend eating fries at the little place right in front of the arena. Well, at least I know for next time!
For the last period Klaus and his wife took Stolli and I to where they were sitting since two of theirs friends didn’t show up for the game and we could have their seats. The last period started and we had a whole new perspective on the game.
The player seemed to be tired and the game wasn’t as fast at the two first periods had been. However, three minutes before the period ended, the Lions were on the power play again. Chris Taylor, former NHL player, scored and the games was tied. Just before the 3rd period ended, another player of the Tigers had to leave the ice again and had to sit in the penalty box.
Overtime started and the 6,500 fans where screaming and yelling and supporting the team as much as possible. It was an incrediable atmosphere in the arena. People wouldn’t stay in their seats but everybody watched the game standing up. The Overtime period had just started, when Chis Taylor scored again – the Frankfurt Lions won 3:2.
Winning the game in overtime let the Lions gain two more points and get back to 2nd place in the DHL (German Hockey League). Good job guys!
