SportsGal	SOMERVILLE, MA
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                Hear me out on this one. Sporting events are a luxury for someone like me who’s never had any money. When I was in college I spent every penny on UConn basketball. Since moving to the Boston area, I’ve scrimped and saved to see my Sox and you know that ain’t cheap. It’s always been a dream of mine to watch hockey in the Hub, however, and so on November 6th I finally got my act together and got my butt to the Garden. Hot dogs balanced on my lap and Miller Lite in hand, I had already slid to the edge of my seat in anticipation before the intro video had even ended. What was on my mind?

                Where are all the puckheads at?

                I’ve seen the Pats, I’ve seen the C’s, and you know I’ve seen the Sox, but what I’ve never seen is so many empty seats at a Boston sporting event. It’s gotten around that the organization was cold-calling New Englanders before the start of this season to build interest and fill seats, so when I saw the fruitlessness of that labor I honestly wasn’t expecting much.

                But when the puck dropped, my jaw fell open with it. Bruins fans were rabid; their foam-fingered claws were out and itching to shred some Maple Leafs. It smelled like beer, sweat, and desperation in that arena and it made me appreciate the simplicity of the Bruins’ advertising campaign. You’ve seen it in the train stations, right?

                “We want it as bad as you do.”

                Brilliant. Sure, Pats fans would love another title because there are some four year olds in New England who’ve never seen a Superbowl Championship; Celtics fans have already worn out the 2008 Banner and would love a new one (if they can find room in those rafters); and Sox were thinking repeat as soon as they put the Rockies to bed last year. There’s no question that everybody’s hungry; the thing is, after a total of 6 championships in 9 years, nobody’s starving.

                Except for the Bruins.

                1972: a good year for the space shuttle, “American Pie,” and Atari; and the last great year for the B’s. The 35-season title drought currently ranks seventh on the list of teams longing for the Stanley Cup. How did all this affect my first-time-live-game experience? I loved every second of it.

                When the Bruins went up 3 goals to zip, the cheers didn’t quit. When Blake Wheeler got his first NHL hat trick on an empty net shot netted with 53 seconds left in regulation, pandemonium ensued. Hats were flying, bras were flying and the crowd went crazy for a goal scored when the game was already decided. I’ll tell you what my favorite part was though:

                Nobody left early.

                There was no mass exodus with 3, or even 2 minutes left, to beat the traffic or catch a train. The win was in the bag but Bruins fans wanted to savor every second of it. I had a blast. Live, pro hockey has me hooked in a way that should get it 2 minutes in the box, and I can’t wait to go back. 

             I’d also like to extend an invite to any non-rink-going Bostonians to come out and root for our team. I know you’ll spend twice as much on a ticket because of the Sox and the Pats, and I know you can find the Garden because of the Celtics, so why not have as good of a night as I did and support our city at the same time? After all, the Bruins are due and they’ve got a group of guys who’ve got a great shot at another playoff appearance.

           I know I'll be back. If the hat tricks keep up I'm going to have to stop wearing my hats to games though. Or maybe starting bringing an extra bra.