Hockey, Cancer, Life

October 27, 2014.  That was the last time I logged on to this site and wrote a blog post.  Why did I stop?  I really couldn't tell you, but I did.  Over the past two years there were a couple of times I thought I should write something and then I decided not to.  I'm not a great writer by any stretch of the imagination and who even cares what I have to say?

Today, for some reason I just got the "itch" to write again.  You'll have to forgive me for the "quality" as it's been a while.  On second thought,..that's not right.  I will write what I think and I will do so using the language I use every day and if the spelling or punctuation is not correct...you'll just have to deal with it.

Now for the reason for this post.  I was scrolling through Facebook, just minding my own business when I got a text message.  This message was from Twitter and it was an RT by Erik Karlsson of a tweet made by Nicholle Anderson thanking everyone for their love and support.  This tweet got me to thinking about athletes and their families and the fans who love them.

For those of you who might not know, Nicholle Anderson is the wife of Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson.  This past week, we learned that she had been diagnosed with Cancer.  We don't know what kind and that's none of our business really.  What we do know is that Craig left the Sens to join his wife and two young children during this difficult time.  He took a leave of absence and no one knew for just how long.  The next game, the Sens' backup goalie, Andrew Hammond, was hurt and with Craig gone, that would mean the Sens would be left with two minor league goalies for an indeterminate amount of time. Nicholle urged Craig to call the team's GM and to re-join the Sens the next day.   

I know how it feels to have a member of your family be diagnosed with that horrible disease and I'm not sure I would have cared about anyone outside my family at that time.  The fact that she even cared is a testament to the kind of person she is.  I've never met her and have only seen her a couple of times at the rink but what I do know is that my heart went out to her and her family when the news was announced. 

When Craig returned to the team and played the next game, you knew it was probably going to be an emotional game for him and for the entire Sens team.  I don't think anyone knew just how special it would be.  Craig posted a shutout against the Oilers in Edmonton, was named first star, and received an ovation from the Edmonton crowd.  You could see the emotion all over his face and you had to know this one was for Nicholle. 

Cancer is such a horrible disease.  Over the past few years, a few people I know have been touched / ravaged by it. 

My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and with multiple treatments was able to fight it.  He's now doing well and on Friday we're making our annual Christmas donuts.  Through it all, we haven't missed a year of making our doughnuts. :)

Last February, my friend and Sens PA announcer, Stuntman Stu was diagnosed with Leukemia and has gone through months of treatment but is now back working at the rink.  It's so nice to see him around again and he looks so good.

My good friend Lola (Laurel) was diagnosed with Melanoma, had surgery and everything looked to be good as far as I knew for a little while and then it came back.  Sadly, she lost her battle (can someone find better words for this?) in April of this year.  This one hit me hard because it was unexpected to me.  I remember the phone call telling me she was gone.  It took me a few days to process it and going to her service was heartbreaking.

For Nicholle, she's starting her battle and I am sending all my good thoughts and prayers to her and her family.  We don't know when Craig will leave again and for how long, but it doesn't matter.  Hockey is just a game and family is the most important.  I hope everyone will support him during this time. 

This Saturday November 5, 2016 is Hockey Fights Cancer night at Canadian Tire Centre.  Being a season ticket holder since 1999, I've been there for many of these and always support it.  This year is even more special in light of everything.  If you can, I hope you will support the initiative.

Nicholle, Craig, I will be thinking of both of you.  I wish I could do more to support you, but will be sure to donate to Hockey Fights Cancer this Saturday.  Take care of each other! 

Julie/@Flip_4

Thank you Sens

If you’ve ever been to a Sens game, you know that they usually have a video montage that they show before the players jump onto the ice at every game.

This montage has been different from one year to the next ever since I’ve been going to Sens games.  One of my first seasons as a season ticket holder, they had one set to the song “For the love of the game” by Semisonic.  I immediately fell in love with the imagery of the video and how it fit in so well with the song.  I believe this was either in 1999 or 2000.

I’ve watched every season since to see if another video would come close in my eyes but none really measured up.

I tried in vain to obtain a copy of this video from different people within the Sens organization, but no one was able to find it.  Or they thought I meant another video.

A few weeks ago, Paul Beirne, Executive Vice President of ticketing for the Ottawa Senators, posted in a forum I read regularly.  He was asking for Sens fans opinions on ways to improve the whole Senators experience.

Well, I had quite a few ideas and sent Paul a fairly wordy email (honestly, it was more of a book).  Somewhere buried  within that email, I mentioned the video just as an example of what the Sens did that once worked. 

Paul emailed me back almost immediately and liked some of the comments I had made.  I emailed him back and forth a few times, but never mentioned the video other than that first email.

One day, I get home and check my email.  What do I see in there?  An email from Paul saying: “We found your vid” with a link to the video.

OMG, you have ablsolutely NO IDEA how happy that made me.  I clicked on the link right away and watched my video over and over...and over again..  All the players from that season – so many memories.  I might have been on a high for a bit after that.  It made me happier than something like that really should, but I don’t care.

The fact that Paul took the time to ask someone to track down the video for me went above and beyond anything I ever expected from him.  

The person that did the searching and uploading of the video for me is Stan Kertesz.  I'm not sure how long it took Stan to find the video and convert it to an MP4 format, but I absolutely appreciate the time and work it took.  He'll probably never really know how happy he made this Sens fan, but if I ever see him - I'll be sure to tell him. 

I now have the video on my phone and can watch it whenever I want to :)

To see the video that made me so happy - click ===> Video

That kind of customer service, along with a few other stories I’ve heard about, show me just how great the Sens organization is.  

Thank you Paul, Stan and the Sens.

Julie/@Flip_4

Small World - Kindred Spirits

On October 21st, Jim Keay Ford Lincoln, was hosting an autograph signing / food drive with 5 Ottawa Senators players.  The 5 players were Chris Phillips, Marc Methot, Matt Kassian, Kyle Turris and Craig Anderson.

As evidenced on many prior posts, I've met Chris Phillips multiple times.  I was going to the signing this day to get my heritage jersey signed by the other 4 guys.  Of course I had a couple of things for Chris to sign, but he wasn't the only reason I was going to one of these things.

I arrived fairly early and found myself 10-15th in line.  As I was waiting for a friend of mine to arrive so that we could keep each other company, a woman came in with her friend and son.  I told them where to put their food donation and at this point, she noticed my Chris Phillips jersey and told me that she was a HUGE fan of his herself.  Right then - I knew Lisa and I would be friends :)

She then realized where she'd seen me before.  She looked at me and told me "You had your birthday at Big Rig!!" Yep, through Facebook posts and various tweets and re-tweets, she somehow saw the pictures of me and my cake from two weeks ago.  I'm a celebrity now ;) LOL.

While waiting for the players to arrive, she and I with her son RJ and her friend Ginette just talked about many different things.  We realized that we had something else in common, we both worked for the CRA, although for different departments.  We talked a little about working there and then moved on to better conversation.  Hockey! ;)

We shared hockey/Phillips stories and talked about our mutual admiration for #4.  I showed the three of them my camera and the amazing pics I can get from my seats at the Sens game...and it's not even close to being a professional camera.

Me and the girls decided we wanted to take pictures with Chris and Marc since they were sitting next to one another.  I told them I'd take pics with my camera and share them on Facebook - so she added me as a friend immediately. It's not that I didn't want pictures with the other guys - I would have loved that, but I get very shy and embarrassed at these things and I'm more comfortable talking to Chris now so that was the only one I was going to get.  I'm slowly getting a little better with the whole "shy" thing, but you gotta give me a break here.

I believe her son RJ was probably just shaking his head that there was someone else as crazy as his mother.  Talking to them for 40 minutes while waiting for the signings to start was amazing.  I was so happy to make new friends and talking to strangers is not usually my forte as some of you have witnessed.

We finally went through and got our autographs....and despite my shyness, I was able to talk to all of them.  (Yay me)

I got the girls' pictures with Chris and Marc and when it was my turn, it was just a comedy of errors with the attempts.  I stood behind Chris and Marc forever while the girls were trying to figure out the camera.  We thought we had the pictures but when I looked at the camera - the pictures weren't there.  I was fine with it, but Lisa felt bad, even though it really wasn't a big deal. 

There was a small break in the line and we decided to give it another try.  Chris and Marc were really great and accommodating and I finally did get my picture.

Before Lisa left, I saw her phone and her case is purple.  I showed her my phone and the case is also purple.  Yes, another thing in common - our favourite colour is purple

I waited at Jim Keay for a bit while my other friend was going through with her children.  When they got to Chris I asked him for one of his player photos for me as I hadn't gotten one the first time through.  He said I was too busy earlier trying to figure out the camera.  Thanks Chris - but I know my camera.  :)

I'm really hoping to see Lisa again soon.  Hopefully Ginette and RJ can join us too.  Maybe we'll have to go to Big Rig for dinner and watch a game one night.

I'm so glad I went to Jim Keay last night - it was great meeting the players, but I made new friends and that's even better to me. 

Great night.

Til next time
Julie / @Flip_4

Unpopular Opinion - Sens Fans

As a season ticket holder who goes to almost every game, there is one thing that bugs me about going to Sens games...actually, there's more than one - but the others don't happen unless the Leafs or Habs are in town. 

What does bother me, and this is a pretty unpopular opinion, is the Sens fans who complain about how bad the crowds are in Ottawa, how quiet etc...and then they go and start chanting "Leafs Suck" when the Leafs are NOT here.

You know what?  I understand the dislike - I really do cause I share in it.  What I don't understand is why??

I know some find it funny to yell out "Leaf sucks".  You know how it sounds though??  "We Suck".  I was actually asked by someone if that's what was being said - seeing as how the Sens weren't playing that well, maybe they thought the crowd had turned on the team.

First time I heard it - it was funny.  Maybe even the 2nd time, but when all chants with that beat started getting hijacked by "Leafs Suck" - it got pretty annoying and I really don't understand it.

It only serves to give people "proof" that Sens fans are obsessed with the Leafs.  I don't know about you, but I'm really not.  The only time I really care about how the Leafs play is when they play against the Sens...or when a Leaf fan friend bugs me ;)

Why don't you try this?  Instead of cheering against a team that isn't in the building, why not use the energy you have to cheer FOR the Sens and try to encourage them to play better.  How about chanting "Go Sens" instead.  I remember going to games before this all started and it was always chanting FOR our team.  When did that change?

We want great atmosphere in the building.  We want the fans to make noise like when the Sens make the playoffs...each person has to do their part for that.  I actually do cheer "Go Sens" when the other chant breaks out - I wish more people would do that.

Anyway - that's my opinion.  It might not be popular, but it's how I feel.

Use your energy at a hockey game to cheer for your team, encourage them, be that extra man they need on the ice.  Become fans that other teams will be jealous of. :)

Anyway - you might not agree with me - but what's important is that we're Sens fans :)

Til next game :)

Julie / @Flip_4

NHL Hockey 2013!!!

I wanted to wait a couple of days before I wrote this post because I wasn’t sure how I’d truly feel, but now that the season has started…

WOOHOO!!!!

I’m so happy about it.   I watched the Sens game on Saturday vs Winnipeg and went to their home opener on Monday!  I wore my Chris Phillips jersey to work as I always do on home game nights.  There were some negative comments, but mostly they were positive!!

When I walked into ScotiaBank Place that night, even before the gates opened, it was like coming back home.

That might sound odd but I’ve had season tickets for 12+ years now and spend a lot of time at the rink, but, other than a concert a few months ago and a Season seat holder event last week, I hadn’t been in the building since April.  

I got my ticket scanned by the same person who’s been doing it for years.  The same people were standing at the gate selling the 50/50 tickets.  I loved it!

I walked around the lower concourse a few times and absorbed the atmosphere.  There was excitement all around.  I saw Cyril Leeder and he looked really happy to have the season start again.  I also saw and spoke to our PA announcer, Stuntman Stu.   It was all just very familiar.

I went up to the upper concourse where my seats are located and saw some other familiar faces.  The same people were working in the concession stand behind my section when I went to buy my food.  They were happy to be there. 

I walked through the tunnel to go to my section and felt the same excitement I always have on season opening night.  When I got to the end and saw the ice and the HD scoreboard, it struck me just how much I had missed it and was looking forward to this day

I walked up to my seats where some of the “old guard” were already sitting.  All season ticket holders I’ve gotten to know in the past few years, but hadn’t seen in months.  It was a family reunion of sorts.  Contrary to what people believed, they were all excited about the game and upcoming season.

The anticipation grew as the time to puck drop got closer.  I looked around and saw the crowd getting larger and larger.  There were so many fans, just happy to be back; so many children looking forward to seeing their idols again.

The HD scoreboard had multiple montages showing highlights of the past seasons which served to make us even more excited than we already were.  Then it started….

Stuntman Stu started announcing our 2012-2013 Ottawa Senators team one player at a time.  The biggest cheers and ovation of course reserved for our captain, Daniel Alfredsson.  I got chills I tell you.  I cheered extra loud for Phillips, as I always do.

There was a ceremonial puck drop featuring our Owner, Eugene Melnyk and a double lung transplant recipient, Hélène Campbell.  She is such an inspiration to many out there. 

We were then treated to Lyndon Slewidge singing the American and Canadian national anthems.  Sens fans know who he is.  Again, I got chills.  On a side note, I did not recognize him without his hat.

Then the moment we were all waiting for, the actual puck drop and start of the game.

It certainly didn’t take long for the crowd to get into the game.  They were cheering for the saves and the goals.  They jeered ex-Sens players on the Panthers team and they complained about Jason Spezza…one part I had almost forgotten about.  For the record, I’m not one of those complainers, I happen to love Jason.

The music was great and Stuntman Stu was on his game, not showing any rust after an 8 month break from PA announcing.

All in all, I left the arena after the game and couldn’t have been happier.  It does help that the Sens won, but the whole experience was fantastic.

I guess no matter how mad I was at the situation, I still love hockey and the Ottawa Senators and I don’t really think that will ever change.

Now on to a packed season!!!

NHL Hockey...or not

I am a HUGE hockey fan...the Sens to be precise.  LOVE them.  I've had season tickets in one form or another for the past 12+ years.  Before that I attended as many games as I could.

Prior to the Sens, I was a Habs fan and will never forget the first NHL game I attended when I was about 15 at the old forum.  It was amazing.

I can't remember my life without hockey in it.  It's always been a part of it whether I liked it or not (which I honestly did not for a while). 

Now what this lockout has succeeded in doing, is make me question why I spend so much money on NHL season tickets. 

I've been keeping busy with other things for the past month waiting for hockey to start.  I thought I would be bored, but as much as I do miss it, I've easily found other things that interest me to replace the hockey.

It's really hard for me to say this, but should I really keep my season tickets?  A year ago, that wouldn't have even been a question, but I've found so many other things I could be spending that money on and not having the hockey to occupy my time, it's making it harder for me to justify anymore.

Of course, knowing myself, I likely would not cancel my season tickets and will come back full time once the season starts, whenever that may be.  This lockout has just got me thinking of some of the fun I'm missing outside hockey due to all that money tied up in hockey tickets.

The NHL and NHLPA should really find a solution soon because if a HUGE hockey fan like myself is getting distracted from hockey, the casual fan just might not be back.  That's a lot of money teams will be losing.

Now that I've rambled enough...I hope hockey comes back and soon...otherwise, I might just go on the NKOTB cruise ;).

Good night
Julie / @Flip_4