douceberceuse:

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Nerves stirring… Adrenaline pumping… Heart racing…

Sometimes these are typical feelings when meeting and talking to some of your favorite hockey players. Yet, for me, this was not the case.

Was I sitting beside David Steckel? YES.

Was I sitting behind Mike Knuble? YES.

Were we having a conversation? YES.

Were we about to plunge 200 feet towards the ground at excessive speeds as high as 75mph, with minimal safety restraints? YES.

This past Monday was the Washington Capitals Six Flags party for the season ticket holders. My priority this year was to ride “Superman: Ride of Steel” before the line got too long. My friends and I were about 4th in line, yet we waited for 30 minutes so the players could ride before their autograph sessions had to begin. It was exciting to say the least to watch the team ride. Alzner and Sloan immediately took the very front, while other players all trickled in from the exit. Well, except Erskine who somehow did not know he had to enter through the exit. He stood in line amongst the fans while he waited for his teammates. What a great guy he is, by the way.

Side note: Jason Chimera did not seemed thrilled to be on this ride.

When the ride came back (they were only running one car at the time), Erskine jumped in the front with Green. After that, all the players left and the fans still had to wait 20 minutes to go on. Track workers had to get the second car up and running to help reduce the lines, which took longer than expected. Finally, the ride was ready. The people in front of us got on, and we got so excited because it was our turn next. Then what do you know, here comes the players back. Ha. Really boys, enough is enough. It’s our turn! Once again we had to wait… or did we? Mike Knuble jumps in the very front with his son, and David Steckel sits behind him… alone. Most of the team were on this one, including Green, Carlson, Erskine, Boudreau (I think), Alzner, and others. Oh, but not Semin. Alex Semin got mad because he did not get the front seat, so he refused to go on. With that said, I asked Steckel if I could ride with him, and he said of course.

These are the moments I make the drive for.

This experience will stay with me forever. How many people can say that they’ve rode a roller coaster with their favorite hockey team? I am grateful to have had that opportunity to do so. The Washington Capitals organization is so fantastic. Players are down to earth, events are a blast, and the memories are ones that we will keep for a lifetime. The rest of the night was one big party, and everyone had a great time. I stayed in Arlington that night, and for the first time I did not drive 3 hours to the Caps game!

Speaking of first times… Marcus Johansson.

We may not have won that game against Boston on Tuesday, but I was damn proud to be there to witness our 2009 first round draft choice score his first NHL goal. That’s the first of many to come for him this season, I’m sure. This kid has a load of talent, and he is only 20 years old. Way to go, Marcus.

With the 2010-2011 hockey season in full swing, I’ve decided to take my own personal “Journey to the Cup.”

I’m a diehard, dedicated Washington Capitals fan with a deep passion for the sport of hockey.

A crazy fact about myself? I drive 270 miles roundtrip to EVERY Caps home game in Washington DC. I’m a proud season ticket holder, and I’m a proud fan.

It seems that there are a ton of Caps blogs out there right now, and every single one of them are fantastically written. My intentions for this blog are not to write up stats or analyze players in depth. To be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure what I want to accomplish here, but I know this much: I love to write, and I love to express my love for hockey and my love for the Washington Capitals to anyone who will listen. People want to know why I drive the distance for a hockey game. I’m here to write my story why; game by game, play by play, goal by goal, moment by moment.

The two quotes I live by are as follows:

“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” -James Dean

“Life is only as good as the memories we make.” -The Ataris

I dream big, I live for the moment, and I create the best memories I can by being involved in the Capitals organization as much as I can.

270 miles. 42 games. My personal journey to the cup begins now.

<3 MELISSA