The Game - Anaheim Ducks

wednesDAY, february 16TH“DUCKS VS. CAPITALS”8:00am • Got out of bed, showered and had a coffee all in tenminutes. Not a bad start to the day.8:30am • Hit a little bit of traffic on the way to the rink, maybebecause of the rain. Arrive at Honda center still with plenty of time tohave breakfast with the boys.9:00am • I’m in the players lounge catching up with some of the guys.I keep asking why I didn’t get the invite last night for dinner…comeon!9:30am • I’m warm and loose, sticks are taped. All I need to do now isput on my gear.10:00am • Nice surprise: On the way to the ice a couple of youngkids were waiting for the players to come out to watch our practice. Iremember those days.10:30am • Practice was short, but intense – just the way we like it.11:00am • Brrrrr…. The cold tub is freezing today.11:30am • After our video meetingmost of the guys are heading toBarolo’s, our pregame lunch spot.12:00pm • I just got home and thefirst thing I see is that big pile oflaundry that needs to be folded.I’m not really in the mood after allof that chicken and pasta.12:30pm • Wow, the last 30 minutes went by quickly in front of the TVand the laundry basket hasn’t moved. It won’t for the rest of the day.1:00pm • A couple of myfriends are online so I seewhat they are up to. What agreat invention Skype is!1:30pm • The second best partof my day is coming up! I’mcaving myself in. Nap time!2:00pm - 3:00pm • Must have had a good dream or something, becauseI slept until my alarm rang.3:30pm • Jumping in the shower and getting dressed and ready for thegame.4:00pm • Driving to the rink by myself today. The carpool lane lookstempting with all this traffic.4:30pm • I parked my car and I’m heading to the dressing room. I getthe speed walk going (haha). I guess I’m just really fired up for thegame.5:00pm • My sticks are taped and the heat packs are on my body.5:30pm • We are sitting in the players lounge watching penalty killingand power play tapes. Fine-tuning for the game.6:00pm • I am warming up for the game now. I’m not allowed to playsoccer with the guys anymore. I guess that’s another thing I’ll have towork on in the summer (haha).6:30pm • We are on the ice for warm-ups. They put me on theHondaVision, so obviously Cam Fowler, who is skating right next tome, has to make fun of me.7:00pm • Puck is about to drop. I am getting the shivers during thenational anthem, even though I think they should play the Swiss onefor once.7:30pm • A lot is happening in the first period. The puck seems to findthe net both ways.8:00pm • Taking a quick breath and trying to hydrate after the intensefirst period that ended with us ahead 3 - 2. Coach just walked in I’lllisten to what he has to say.8:30pm • Not the best start to the second period. Two quick goalsput Washington ahead. We battle back and go into the secondintermission with the lead, 5 - 4.9:00pm • In the locker room the guys are positive. That is what wewant, to head into the third with one goal in hand.9:30pm • The fans are really loud and cheering us on. We have to finda way to tie the game. Come on guys, we got this!10:00pm • We can’t be happy. We scored six goals at home but stilllost 7-6. We learned our lesson.10:30pm • I got my work out and my flush ride in. I still can’t believewhat just happened.11:00pm • On my way out a Swiss Junior Team surprises me. They arehaving a tournament in LA and came to watch us play. I am signing acouple of things and takingpictures before I head home.11:30pm • Having a quickbite in front of the TV andwatching SportsCenter…ready for bed!