Date Night

Derrick scored free tickets to an Admirals hockey game. (They're Milwaukee's minor league team, and our first time going to one of their games. Jennifer and Brian, aren't you so proud??) Now, he was not so excited to see the game so much as the free STYX concert afterwards. So we lined up a babysitter (THANK YOU Mike and Linda!!), and we put Summer to bed at their house. (Of course, I worried the whole time whether she stayed asleep, did she wake up, is she hungry, are we going to have to leave early to go get her, etc. Turns out she didn't make a peep all night. What a relief! Linda also watched Summer last week when I went to the spa (Derrick's v-day present to me) and was good for her then, too.)

Anyway, we got to the game at the start of the 2nd period. Now, I don't know a whole lot about hockey. The only part hockey has in my life are in the phrases "tonsil hockey" and "H E double hockey sticks." My high school boyfriend played roller hockey and I would occasionally go to some of his games, but lets be honest, I didn't really pay that much attention. (Sorry, Tommy.) I know what a hat trick is, and I know about the penalty box, but quite frankly, everything I learned about hockey I learned from watching The Mighty Ducks. quack, quack, quack....

Still, the game was really entertaining. The Admirals played the Iowa Chops (whose name I find pretty funny), and while the Admirals dominated the entire game, the Chops won after overtime and a sudden death shootout. All very exciting. We had great seats, and it seemed all the goals were shot right in front of us. Lots of fights, which is great, because really, it's all anyone wants to see. Hockey is one giant fight with a game going on in the background.

(Taken with my camera phone--surprisingly good quality!)

But more entertaining still, were the events that went on during intermission. Only in Milwaukee will you find such games. The first consisted of three men who had to roll a keg around the outer edge of the rink and into a goal. The winner was awarded Milwaukee Gold: a case of Miller Lite. The second game, sponsored by Uncle Ben's, was really fun to watch. There were huge bowling pins at one end of the rink, and people on sledding discs were launched towards the pins via a HUGE elastic slingshot type thing. Whoever knocked down the most pins won. And just what did they win? A box of Uncle Ben's rice. That's right, a wee little box of rice. Way to go big, Uncle Ben.

Any event involving drunk people instantly ups the entertainment value of said event. We had the privilege of sitting by some very funny drunk people, just adding to our fun night.

Due to the overtime and shootout, we only got to stay for about 30 minutes of Styx before we had to leave and go pick up Summer. We did hear some classics, though, like "Lady" and "Crystal Ball." Good stuff. I loved all the people in their vintage Styx shirts and headbands.


All in all, a great night, even though I stressed about Summer the whole time. I shouldn't have, really. If she was acting up, they would have called, right? And if they didn't, well then, that's their problem, right? Right.

Thanks again Chaplins!