WILD Time

Buddy went to his first NHL hockey game last night at the United Center in Chicago. He drew the usual double takes and attention from the other fans. Peering over the boards, he also drew a double take from at least one of the Blackhawks. As Seabook skated by during warm-ups, he looked twice when he saw a furry black head watching him.

Thanks to Jim Koehler we were seated in the front row. It would have been easy to cheer for the Blackhawks, being in Chicago and having four UW players on the roster (Skille & Dowell called up due to injuries). However, We had to support the Wild in a hostile environment.

Our aisle was the main entrance to the scorer's table and on ice activities, so Buddy didn't settle in until the game started. He began the period watching the action but eventually settled in and rested during the first period. Buddy warmed the hearts of the Chicago fans, so we didn't suffer any verbal abuse as the Blackhawks took the lead.

We moved up to the second row for the next period to give friends a front row seat. Luckily or unluckily we missed a big check right in front of us. It was violent enough from the second row. The row was a little more croweded and Buddy spent the last 20 seconds of the period in my lap. He sat the whole period because he couldn't get comfortable in the confined conditions. He was panicky and we couldn't get him to settle down and he eventually jumped in my lap.

On the way to our "smoking" break he was fine. After the break, we returned to our front row seats to watch the final period. Buddy seemed happier after getting a rawhide bone halfway through the period. After the final horn sounded, we made our way through the crowd and then back to the hotel for a late serving of kibble.

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Blackhawks (5 - 2).