Star Wars Skating

Since the new Star Wars movie, The Rise of Skywalker, opens tomorrow, there have been a lot of Star Wars themed events. Tonight was Star Wars Night at the Colorado Avalanche game. Marina decided she wanted to wear her Princess Leia Bespin dress. Fortunately, the hairstyle was easier to recreate than it looked.

We arrived early to pick up our tshirts and get photos with cosplayers. Unfortunately, there weren’t many cosplayers this year. We figured most of them were probably at sneak previews of the new movie. So it didn’t take long for us to get photos with them.

As we got our shirts, we saw Santa was set up nearby. I managed to convince Marina to get a quick photo with him. We picked up drinks and snacks and headed to our seats. We were excited to see that Bernie, the mascot, was wearing a Baby Yoda costume!

At the first intermission we looked around for cosplayers but only saw the same two groups as before the game. We did run into Bernie and took a quick photo with him before going to our seats.

At the second intermission we went to Bernie’s doghouse for pictures. We took a young man sitting next to us, along. He was very excited for a picture. We got there a bit later than we hoped, so we missed quite a bit of the third period. The Avalanche scored as we walked back to our seats, so we all cheered as we walked. Unfortunately, the Avalanche let their lead slip away and they lost 4-2.

Star Wars Hockey

Tonight was Star Wars Night at the Colorado Avalanche game. Of course, Marina was excited to go. She decided to dress as Rey. Last year she wore Rey’s costume from The Last Jedi. But tonight she wanted to wear the one from The Force Awakens. That meant I had to try and recreate the complex hairstyle. Fortunately I was able to come close.

We left early for the game because we wanted to pick up our t shirts and take photos with as many cosplayers as we could. But it turned out the doors didn’t open as early as we were told, so we had to wait outside for a while.

Once inside we picked up our shirts and then we went out to find the cosplayers. The second group we found include Darth Vader. We were told that Rey and Kylo Ren would be in that spot half an hour later. We definitely wanted to come back for that!

We went to our seats before going out to find more cosplayers and returned to see Rey and Kilo Ren. They were all happy to see her costume. After seeing all the cosplayers, we bought drinks and snacks before going to our seats. Marina wanted the mini donuts, so we got some of those.

The game, unfortunately, wasn’t as much fun as the Star Wars activities. The Avalanche played very sloppily and they lost the game 5 to 1.

After the game it took us a while to walk to the car and drive out of the parking lot. We were both really tired when we finally arrived at home.

Star Wars Hockey Night

This evening we had tickets to Star Wars Night at the Colorado Avalanche game. As soon as Marina heard about it she wanted to go. I had picked up the Rey costume for the new Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi. We haven’t seen it yet, but Marina was happy to wear the costume.

I received an email listing all the extra activities for Star Wars Night, so we went to the Pepsi Center early. Once inside, we located three locations with cosplayers. Marina had her photo taken with all of them.

We picked up our collectible Star Wars hockey pucks and wristbands for a photo session on the ice after the game. Then we found our seats and went in search of the last group of cosplayers. Marina was thrilled that this group included Princess Leia.

We picked up some snacks and drinks, then we went back to our seats to watch the hockey game. It was a fun atmosphere and we enjoyed talking with the father and daughter behind us.

The beginning of the game was somewhat dull – there was no scoring and both teams were playing sloppily. So Marina and I went to the Comic Con green screen booth in the middle of the second period. Marina posed with a BB8 toy with a light saber. Two young ladies came by after us and the three of them created some silly photos. Next we went to get in line for photos with Bernie, the mascot. The line was long, but it moved quickly. Bernie was dressed as a stormtrooper for the night.

It was the third period by the time we got back to our seats. In that time the Tampa Bay Lightning had scored 5 goals, the Avalanche only one. The last period was the most exciting. The Avalanche scored three goals in a row, but they were not able to take the lead. The final score was 6-5 for the Lightning.

After the game, we joined the other participants for photos on the ice with cosplayers. It took about half an hour to get it set up. While we waited, Marina played I Spy with the people sitting around us. That definitely helped pass the time. It was after 11:00 pm when we finally had our turn. By then we were really tired and ready to go home. Fortunately our drive home was fast and we went to bed right away.

One Hundred Years of Hockey

The NHL is celebrating its centennial and as part of the festivities a traveling exhibit arrived at the Pepsi Center this weekend. It sounded interesting, so I picked up Marina after school and we decided to check it out.

We arrived at the Pepsi Center and walked over to the tented area where everything was set up. Right away we met some of the Avalanche Ice Dancers. Marina happily posed for photos with them and got their autographs.

I really wanted to see the Stanley Cup, which was on display. The line was pretty short, so we didn’t have long to wait. Marina looked at the engraving from the Avalanche 2001 win before we had our pictures taken with it.

We went through the small museum they had in a trailer next. We got to see the evolution of hockey equipment like jerseys, sticks and ice skates. There was also an interactive screen which allowed us to look closely at the Stanley Cup. Marina also posed for a photo in front of a mock Avalanche locker. They actually were able to put her name above her! Finally, she signed a large plaque which will be given to the team after the exhibition is over.

I knew Marina would want to try the virtual reality Zamboni game, so we went there and waited in line. As it turned out, the man in front of us was the Avalanche TV announcer Mike Haynes. He was very nice and we talked to him and his son while we waited. As expected, Marina enjoyed the game!

Marina also played a game using a hockey stick to hit balls into a goal. Next we checked out the radio station booths which were set up there. Marina got some goodies, including a foam hockey puck and a soda cozy. She won a Taylor Swift calendar and even got to meet one of the DJs she listens to. She also got her hair sprayed red with lots of glitter.

We didn’t want to wait in the huge line to meet the players that were there and Marina didn’t want to try the ice skating, so we decided to go home. The trip home took a while but we both agreed it was a fun time.

Hockey Holiday

Marina had her last day of school before fall break today. We celebrated by joining some friends at the Avalanche game this evening. Marina loves going to the games, so she was thrilled to go.

Instead of wearing her Avalanche jersey, Marina chose to wear a matching outfit with Saige. Saige seems to go everywhere with us lately. I guess Marina wants to show her the town. 

We arrived just as the game began. The seats were fantastic and the Avalanche are playing very well. Marina and my friend's daughter got along well and both were actually somewhat interested in the game.

During the second intermission, we all went to meet Bernie, the mascot. The girls had their pictures taken with him. Our seats were very close to his doghouse, so it didn't take us long at all.

It was a fun game to watch and the Avs won 4-2 over the Carolina Hurricanes. We'd all had a good time. Fortunately, we were able to get out quickly and get on the road. It was late when we got home, but it was worth it!

Avalanche Warning

We had tickets to the Colorado Avalanche season finale this evening. Marina and I had attended a game a year and a half ago and she loved it. So we were looking forward to going again. This time we went with Uncle Mike and his friend Jessica. As is usual for her lately, she took one of her American Girl dolls along.

There was an air of festivity despite the fact that the Avalanche did not have a good season this year. Marina got the chance to try making a goal at a spot ouside the Pepsi Center. It was a pretty difficult game, but Marina enjoyed it.

We got to our seats shortly after the game began. We had a great view of the ice. We were sitting near quite a few fans rooting for the visiting team, the Minnesota Wild. That confused Marina a bit and it took her a while figure out which team we were cheering for. I was impressed at how well she followed the game. 

At the second intermission, we went to meet Bernie, the Avalanche mascot. It was a pretty long line, but Marina had cotton candy to keep her occupied.

The game was fun, but the Avalanche lost. It took us a while to get out of the parking lot, but we were treated to fireworks being set off nearby.

An Avalanche of Fun

The school district sponsored a night at the Colorado Avalanche game this evening. We had the opportunity to get tickets for the game at a reduced price - our seats were located on the lower level, which I was very excited about.

As part of the special school package, we got the chance to arrive early and spend some time on the ice of the arena. I thought it would be fun, so we arrived at Pepsi Center early. I was surprised at how few people showed up for this. It was amazing to be out on the ice in the empty arena. We got to see the Avalanche bench, the visitor's penalty box and center ice. They had balls and sticks out for the kids to play broom ball. Marina met a new friend and they happily played together.

Once our time on the ice was done, we ate dinner before going back for the game. We arrived very early, so we were in our seats before anyone else. When the teams came out to warm up, we went down by the glass to watch. Marina was amazed by the speed the puck hit the boards and glass. While we watched, some of the St. Louis players tossed pucks over the glass to the kids who were watching. One bounced in the area next to us and fell into a camera well. One of the TV crew members fished it out and gave it to Marina. She was thrilled. After that she showed the puck to everyone she talked to.

I had been concerned that she'd be bored during the game itself, but she seemed to have a great time. She actually followed the action for most of the game. I'm sure it helped that we had some snacks and met the mascot, Bernie, while we were there. She only lost interest in the last five minutes of the third period. but she still managed to cheer loudly with the crowd. And our wonderful evening was topped off with an Avalanche win 3-2.

We came out of the arena to 2-3 inches of snow, so it took us a while to get home. Marina fell asleep in the car. Not surprising at all considering all we'd done today!