Another Generation of Red Wings Fans!

Wanna see the photos from this entry? Look here

Finally, the time had arrived! For most of the past 3 weeks, my younger two children were drooling at the sight of the four tickets, which were tucked neatly into the cupboard door, sitting there like a chocolate Easter Bunny tempting the little ones daily. The 'Family Four Pack' kept them watching the calendar. The tickets, a gift from one of our local Hams' sons (Tim Wilson) were welcomed with open arms...that is a story all its own! How do you say 'Thank You' for a gift like that? I don't think he really understood just how thankful my entire Family of Red Wing fans were, but I hope to return the kindness somehow.

"How many days now?", Josh asked.

"Oh, let's see.....seven....seven more days and we go to the Joe Louis Arena!" I replied.

Josh has been 'indoctrinated' into Red Wing traditions since his early years, so when it comes to the Wings, he's into whatever it might be. Even at 15-18 months of age, we taught him the 'Let's go Red Wings' chant, complete with claps. By age two, Joshy was clappin' right along with us. But it goes beyond even that!

When our little man was born into this world, Dad was wearing a Red Wings sweater (jersey). It was 2002 and I had a Center Ice version of the Home Jersey. Nothing special and no number, or name, just the jersey. Well, when we won the Stanley Cup that year, I went out and bought a brand new away jersey, found and purchased an official 2002 Stanley Cup patch and added my nephew's number and name, because he also played in the youth hockey league in town. That sweater is Johy's now, once he can fit into it, but until then, I wear it (and I had it on last night).

And so, we head out Friday afternoon about 4pm, well ahead of time, in case of traffic. I wasn't going to be late for my kids' first Red Wings' game....and we weren't. But it was fun, watching Josh and Mick looking in awe at the Joe Louis Arena in the distance. We walked about 3 blocks to the raised tunnel that would take us into the JLA and got there about 30 minutes before the doors opened.

Once inside, we got the important stuff....the Red Wings #1 sponge finger, a puck, a book on the Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup Season and various other goodies. We also stopped for a Little Caesar's pizza and some Coke, before heading to our seats. Sec. 217C, row 20....a bit near the top, but if you have ever been to the Joe, there really aren't that many bad seats in the house and I have not seen the few that exist!

The magic of your first professional sporting event is something you never forget. Mine was going to see the Detroit Tigers, back when Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych was pitching for them. I will never forget 'The Bird' manicuring the mound, or talking to the ball.....or the animated way he did his job. And as we walked around the Joe, snapping pictures and watching the warm-ups at ice level, I was witnessing Josh marking this date in his life. Mick was enjoying herself, too, but this was a boy-thing. A Father-Son thing....something we will both remember for the rest of our lives.

Well, the Wings were shutout tonight...falling to the New York Islanders 2-0. The Islanders are the worst team in the NHL, but I was afraid this might happen. The neat thing was that we got to see Chris Osgood in goal for Detroit and my wife loves Ozzie! But the Wings tried...boy did they try. There were so many flurries in front of New York's goalie, Joey MacDonald (a former Wing, by the way), we should have won that game 8-2! LOL But it was not to be.

Walking out of the Joe Louis, Josh and I were walkin' hand in hand, chatting about the game. I felt I needed to see how he enjoyed the time.

"So what did you think, bud?", I asked. "Sorry you didn't get to see the Wings win tonight."

"That was fun, Dad.....", he said. "And don't worry, you can bring me back to see them win a different game!"

Yep, my little Winger enjoyed his first NHL Hockey Game....a new chapter begins!