DISCLAIMER-
Note to public: No public funds were used in the making of this blog post
Note to children: Um, about that inheritance...
Note to wife: But honey, it's the Olympics!
By the time I got organized enough to look into the VUP (Very Unimportant Person) or regular pass at Hockey House, they were sold out. I did some grunt work and ended up obtaining a VIP pass valued at $450. So I'm thinking to myself, this better not suck.
BTW, please be advised that many Hockey House events are sold out. But guess what is just steps away, FREE to get into and tons of fun? The Saskatchewan Pavilion, that's what.
Let's go in, shall we...
1:01
Got scanned in and ushered to temporary VIP accommodations in the
Hockey Canada lounge. Comfy couches, low-key atmosphere and delicious food = happy fellow.
Open bar is doing a decent business for this time of day. I shall refrain as one would do well to pace oneself for maximum enjoyment.
On the big screens, Sweden seems to be handling Belarus early in the third, 3-1, but
memories of their last Olympic meeting must be in the backs of their minds. Somewhere, Tommy Salo is drinking.
1:38
Once the main HH area opens at 2:30, we ticket-buying VIPs will be
ushered over there so that the actual VIPs can lounge properly. So I
am going to stay on this sweet couch until 2:29. The rugs are soft
hockey rinks. Why would I want to leave?
1:46
At Molson Canadian Hockey House but not in the mood for beer? Then try the
wine -Wayne Gretzky Estates Wine. Of course.
Those Belorussians are not going quietly: now 3-2.
2:24
Sweden survives 4-2. Somewhere, Tommy Salo is weeping. Are they tears of joy or tears of despair? Only Tommy knows.
Got scanned in and ushered to temporary VIP accommodations in the
Hockey Canada lounge. Comfy couches, low-key atmosphere and delicious food = happy fellow.
Open bar is doing a decent business for this time of day. I shall refrain as one would do well to pace oneself for maximum enjoyment.
On the big screens, Sweden seems to be handling Belarus early in the third, 3-1, but
memories of their last Olympic meeting must be in the backs of their minds. Somewhere, Tommy Salo is drinking.
1:38
Once the main HH area opens at 2:30, we ticket-buying VIPs will be
ushered over there so that the actual VIPs can lounge properly. So I
am going to stay on this sweet couch until 2:29. The rugs are soft
hockey rinks. Why would I want to leave?
1:46
At Molson Canadian Hockey House but not in the mood for beer? Then try the
wine -Wayne Gretzky Estates Wine. Of course.
Those Belorussians are not going quietly: now 3-2.
2:24
Sweden survives 4-2. Somewhere, Tommy Salo is weeping. Are they tears of joy or tears of despair? Only Tommy knows.
3:09
Have moved into Hockey House proper, with a welcome befitting a VIP. It's a big room, all right. Sweet jerseys line the walls, plastic chandeliers hover overhead, and the requisite Team Canada grand piano is all polished up and ready to go!
Keeping an eye open for obvious signs of Saskatchewan-ness - Rider jerseys, wheat pool hats and so forth - but we Canadians are hard to tell apart when we're all dressed in red!
4:03
Comedian Sean Cullen, backed up by The Odds, just sang "Come Sail Away" by Styx, then interviewed Lanny McDonald, Pete Mahovlich and a giant wisecracking jockstrap with a French accent. Crowd was indifferent while I laughed my head off!
Met a couple of BC fellas originally from - you guessed it - Saskatchewan. It's true: we are everywhere.
4:50
Dinner is served. Latvia is also being served: down 3-0 to Czech Republic eight minutes in.
5:07
Grant Fuhr signing signing autographs nearby. I don't usually do this kind of thing, but hey, we're both goalies.
Have moved into Hockey House proper, with a welcome befitting a VIP. It's a big room, all right. Sweet jerseys line the walls, plastic chandeliers hover overhead, and the requisite Team Canada grand piano is all polished up and ready to go!
Keeping an eye open for obvious signs of Saskatchewan-ness - Rider jerseys, wheat pool hats and so forth - but we Canadians are hard to tell apart when we're all dressed in red!
4:03
Comedian Sean Cullen, backed up by The Odds, just sang "Come Sail Away" by Styx, then interviewed Lanny McDonald, Pete Mahovlich and a giant wisecracking jockstrap with a French accent. Crowd was indifferent while I laughed my head off!
Met a couple of BC fellas originally from - you guessed it - Saskatchewan. It's true: we are everywhere.
4:50
Dinner is served. Latvia is also being served: down 3-0 to Czech Republic eight minutes in.
5:07
Grant Fuhr signing signing autographs nearby. I don't usually do this kind of thing, but hey, we're both goalies.
6:32
After a visit to the Saskatchewan Pavilion (Jack Semple is laying down some smooth licks), it's back to Hockey House. Some guy, Wayne somebody, is supposedly showing up.
After a visit to the Saskatchewan Pavilion (Jack Semple is laying down some smooth licks), it's back to Hockey House. Some guy, Wayne somebody, is supposedly showing up.
More later...
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