(Un) Friendly Giants
24 September 2006 - 07:59 .
My guilty pleasure towards the end of the last hockey season was to go to Vancouver Giants games. Matt and I would meet up, one of us would buy tickets, and we'd watch the G-men destroy some team very systematically. Last night was the Giants' season and home opener, and the road to defending their Western Hockey League championship is off to a great start. But there were some differences - some small, some noticeable - that made last night really kinda funny. Photos courtesy of Matt from Molten Image.
These hockey nights are likely to become a bit of a habit this year as well. So if you want to come out and see some hockey played with passion, drop me a line. Other pics and more after the jump.
- The Giants kinda drifted through the first period. Matt and I figured that Coach Hay spoke to them during the intermission. Score after the 1st period: 0-0. Score after the 2nd period: 6-0.
- Sound clips. The audio guys found a bunch of sound bites, and throw them in here and there. Best of the night? A Giants penalty is announced, and we hear the someone say "What. Ever." a la Clueless.
- Fan expectations: by the middle of the 3rd period, the Giants had run up the score to 9-0, following a parade of Portland penalties - their sin-bin had a revolving door installed during the second intermission. And with about 10 minutes to go the fans started chanting. A lot. Now picture it with me... 11,000 people yelling "We Want 10! We Want 10!". Disappointment is almost palpable when they don't get it. This pic is from goal number 5.
- Todd Bertuzzi's departure from Vancouver has affected the Giants as well. The Canucks had acquired some new equipment to patrol the ice of General Motors Place and with Todd leaving for warmer climes, the 'Nucks made a donation to their smaller cousins. They don't need this anymore. Yes, the flashing lights actually work, and no, we have no idea of top speed
Posted by Matt on 24 September 2006 - 20:00
BOOYAH! What a way to kick off the season! A shutout for Dustin Slade to continue his record-setting performance last year, three shiny new banners and a couple of big shiny trophies to adorn the Coliseum, a ton of high-priced new advertising boards (yeah, it's advertising, but it demonstrates the value of this team!), and what has to be near record attendance for the G-Men for a regular-season game after only 5 short years in existence. What's not to love??So as promised, here's the complete set of pictures from the game... take note, they're resized, watermarked, and sharpened a little, but otherwise undoctored (just a little handy batch processing for web publication), so some may look a little dim. Deal with it. ;) http://www2.moltenimage.com/gallery2/mai..
BTW, gotta thank ya again for dragging my ass out to the game... MUST do that more often!