Does everyone cheer for Daniel Alfredsson? Well, not if you're a Leafs fan. But, those that are a part of Sens Army know that even though there are haters out there, Daniel Alfredsson will always be a warrior.
Through the end of the 2009-2010 season, there were only 250 players that have played 1000 NHL games in their career. Daniel Alfredsson became number 251. However, only the 44th to accomplish the feat having played all of his games with a single team.
On April 10th, 2010, after playing his 1000th game on the road, a celebration occurred in the Senators first home game back. There was to be a special ceremony held before the game to commemorate the event.
Diane and I headed to the arena and met up with my sister to see if we could catch some of the players as they arrived at the arena. There was only one player left on the team that I hadn't met yet, but I really didn't expect him to stop. It was Chris Neil, and he was almost always one of the first players to arrive.
There were five of us waiting before the game and it was a gorgeous day. For some reason Neil was late to show up. Was he playing that night? Maybe he was going to be scratch and we wouldn't see him show up at all. A few players began showing up. Pascal Leclaire was nice enough to stop and sign for the others waiting. I didn't have anything for him to sign. After a few other players drove by, Neil showed up.....and stopped!!!! Wow, I couldn't believe it. I heard he had gotten a lot worse than he was before. He was nice enough to sign a couple of photos for me and let me take a picture with him.
It was great finally meeting Chris Neil, but we were all waiting for Alfie. Soon enough, a camera man came outside to wait for Alfie as well. This was great news because I knew Alfie would stop for sure. If he didn't, he would look like a total jerk on television. Sure enough, he stopped and signed and took pictures as well.
After all the players arrived, we headed to the Local Heroes located in the Scotiabank Place. When we walked into the arena, we looked at the seats and saw that each seat had been decked out with a "Alfie 1000th game" t-shirt.
I must say that the arena pretty awesome with everyone wearing the same colour shirt. It made me feel like we were in a playoff game. I really wish the Sens would pony up and give everyone a shirt for a playoff game a la Pittsburgh Penguins "white out". It makes the stadium look amazing.
The game had a great atmosphere. When the Sens took the ice, they all had their own number on their sleave, but all wore #11 on their backs. It was quite the site. Alfie's number was all over the arena... on the boards.... behind the net. Everywhere.
After a bit of game time, a special guest was shown on the jumbo screen. Olympic athlete and double medalist from the 2010 Vancouver game, Kristina Groves, was at the game! Those of you who know me know that I had to try and grab a picture with her. It wasn't hard at all. I went down to the 100 level and went near the box she was in and, much the same way with Gordie Howe, there was a small lineup beside the box for pictures and autographs. I didn't have anything for her to sign, but I got my picture with her.
Later in the game, my sister called me and told me that they had showed Cuba Gooding Jr. on the big screen. If you read my last blog entry, you know that I have already met him, but I figured I would try and find him and see if I could get a second picture with him. I quickly spotted him in a suite at centre ice in the 100 level. He was sitting his his bodyguard and stunt double. Unfortunately, they showed him on the jumbo screen also, and that was the end of me being able to get a picture with him. Now that everyone knew where he was sitting, it would be very hard to get near him.
I figured we should try anyways. We headed down to the 100s again to see if Cuba was in his box. Sure enough, he was....but, I did get a picture with this guy who happened to be in the same section.
Now, why is there a border around this photo you ask? Well, that would be because his people don't allow you to take a picture with your own camera. There is a photographer with him and you must then e-mail the person with the photo number they provide you, and ask for the photo.Perhaps the best part of meeting the prime minister was seeing the look on his bodyguard's face when he asked Diane if she wanted a photo also and she told him no way.
It was a great game, unfortunately the Sens lost, but the game will be remembered more for the celebration that happened before the game.
Alfie is a true warrior and I hope he has many more games in him.
No comments:
Post a Comment