Game 6
So, I did my pre-game rituals. I went to Hog Heaven, a Christian barbeque joint here in Durham that puts the best scald on a pair of pork chops that I have found. There is something slightly disturbing about a place called Hog Heaven that is in the business of sending piggies to their glory in a sweet vinegar sauce. But, that is another issue.
So, I got my lucky pork chops so that I could suck on the bones before the game, and I had sides of turnip greens and “Grannie’s potatoes”, yummy boiled spuds in butter. For good measure, I ordered a chunk of chocolate cake with chocolate icing. After I ate it, I went and looked in the mirror to find that I had chocolate icing stuck on one of my front teeth, so I had a “hockey” smile. Could this be the omen the Hurricanes need to win tonight and bring the Stanley Cup home from Canada? Only time will tell. The first period of the game has ended in stalemate at 0-0. If the ‘Canes don’t prevail tonight, then there is at least one more chance to win the title on home ice in Raleigh. I won’t prevaricate about the outcome tonight, but I will be watching with great interest.
One thing that is truly inspiring about this series of games is watching the singing of the National Anthems. It makes the hair stand up on my neck when the singer puts down his microphone and lets the fans finish off the Canadian National Anthem, “O, Canada”. That so many Canadians would also take the time to learn the words to the American National Anthem and sing along is a great tribute to the good spirit of Canadians. How many Americans would do the same? I know I would be at a loss to write out the lyrics to “O, Canada”. Here, we seem too hung up on whether anyone should sing a Spanish-language version of "The Star Spangled Banner" to learn anything about another country.
OK, here we go…the Oilers just scored, and the tally is at 1-0 after a power-play for a penalty where the Hurricanes had too many men on the ice. This could be a nail-biter from here out…
Categories: Stanley+Cup Carolina+Hurricanes Edmonton+Oilers ice+hockey National+Anthems O!+Canada The+Star_Spangled_Banner goosebumps
posted by Ron Hudson at 8:23:00 PM
3 Comments:
Well, well, well...after a 4-0 shut-out, we are back to game 7 in Raleigh. Congratulations Oilers!
I won't be eating pork chops next time....
You know, Ron, it's funny about the national anthems - I was talking to my brother about our hometown of Edmonton and how, whenever they host any kind of major event like this, they take a lot of pride in being enthusiastic hosts. As my brother said, "We're hicks . . . but dammit, we're hicks who make an effort! And that's pretty effing cool."
Your pre-game ritual sounds delightful (particularly the chocolate icing hockey teeth). I'll have to try that for the final!
Come on hurricanes! Let's win the Stanley Cup!
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