Trust me, hockey is a game that absolutely needs to be watched only from the stadium and only from seats like we had – a $250 valued ones just behind the ice. With a brilliant panoramic view, close enough to see the puck and the angled shots that toss and turn it, I watched an entire game of ice hockey for the first time.
Devils had lost some key players for the game including Brian Rolston, Bobby Holik and Martin Brodeur- the goal tender. Brodeur is seven wins short of creating history with most career wins. Anyways, that kind of put the match in an interesting position against the much lower ranked Tampa Bay Lightning. In the first period, the devils were very slow and they really seemed to miss the key players in setting up the plays. Lightning clearly came on top 1-0 at the end of the first period.
The second period was luckier for us- David Clarkson finally gave the important break through, with a shot that was deflected in. Immediately following that, Elias did not miss the power-play opportunity for another goal and the second period ended 2-1 in NJ’s favor. Unfortunately our seats were closer to the NJ’s goal in the first period and there was no action.
Ten minutes in to the third period, Devils were still up and looked good for the victory. However Tampa Bay was really good on the offense and tied the game. Now the stadium was erupt with fervor, NJ’s game suddenly seemed to shift to the next gear and soon Jay put us 3-2. Now the passion in the stadium was awesome; shouting at the top of the lungs, the atmosphere truly came alive. This is one of the best things of watching a game at the stadium as against the comforts of the home on HDTV :)
Understandably, at 3-2 Devils went on the defensive and yet managed to foul and give a power-play. And this time Tampa made no mistake and the period ended tied at 3-3. No shots were goaled in the overtime by either team and the game proceeded to shootout. What more can you ask for when you spend time and energy (and no money ;-)) to go watch a match in the stadium? Absolutely thrilled at this time.
Lightning went into the shoot out first – and goaled :(
Devils went in and missed :( :(
Lightning’s second shot was brilliantly defended by the replacement goalie Kevin Weeks.
Again the arena exploded in joy
Devils completed the second shot real smart
Score tied 1-1
Lightning took the third shot and missed again – hooorayyyyyyyyyy!
The stadium was all up and waiting for the victory shot from Jamie Langenbrunner and the pressure was enough to keep the Mike Smith, their Goalie fumbling.
So there it goes, a superb game ended in a brilliant shootout !!
Wow what a match it was!!
To top it all, the $250 seats come with free food and free beer !! – ha ha ha
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