The Alamo people setting up the projector and screen on the rink.
The turnout was pretty good for Central Texas. I was more thrilled over my friend Brian coming with a pair of friends. As you recall, Brian is a huge Red Wings fan and also played in the minor leagues when he was younger. We were all dressed appropriately for the event in our Chiefs jerseys. Brian and his friend had autographed home versions (white) with all three of the infamous Hanson brothers! I can only hope to meet the trio who inspired the movie. We sat up in the balcony so we could say some of our favorite quotes aloud. Normally I’m against magpies but this was a pseudo Quote-along event. I know I impressed Brian’s friend with my Eddie Shore rebuttal timing.
I hadn’t been to Chaparral Ice since the Bats won their last home playoff game. It was sad to see the place now. The rink is in great shape, just all the seats behind the goal and near the team benches are gone. The people who own the place don’t need them anymore because the only teams playing will be UT (yes, Texas has a team, it’s just not in the NCAA divisions) and the clubs: aka the Roadrunners and Iceholes. All those memories, especially the 13-round shootout which had me on the edge of my seat are fading. Now I have to jones through a season without anything resembling professional hockey in Austin until the overpriced AHL proxy for the Dallas Stars comes to Cedar Park. I probably should start saving up to make one run to San Antonio to enjoy a Rampage game when Milwaukee, Chicago or Peoria come to town.