7th man game

[folgersnyourcup]

Well....the game's already been discussed. More shots on goal but no win. I still enjoyed the game even though I was in the basement (or vomitories) of the RBC when the only Canes goal was scored! Earlier that morning we got to go to the pre-game skate and sit right down their next to the glass. It was fun, they did the same stuff they normally do at the Rec-Zone and there was a good-sized group of kids that I believe won a reading program thingy across the arena having loads of fun with Stormy while watching the practice.

Hlavac was practicing but was in VERY visible pain wincing every step of the way. Kevyn Adams looked to be in tip top shape so I was surprised he did not play. Afterwards, they had Wallin there to meet us (sweating from head to toe but with a big smile on his face, shook my hand and said "Hi, Nikky") who was very nice. He signed several of our things including a plaque with his picture after scoring the OT game winner in the Montreal series then we went into the locker room.

All I can say about the locker room is that I don't think they would have let us in there if I (or my father) was a girl..... I didn't expect the players to just be right there in the open walking around shirtless with towels around their waist! The first player we ran into was Weekes who I jokingly asked "Do you mind if I take your picture?" His response was "No......." then after realizing what he was wearing said "Wait, hang on, what sort of publication is this for?" then walked away laughing. I saw Cole in there working out and Brindamour talking to some of the players.

We came back later that day at game time and went to our seats which were low down on the lower level behind where Weekes was for periods 1 and 3. About 10 minutes into the first period we went down into the vomitories there (sorry, I just need to keep saying that word, hehe) and heard the goal horn go off. We were then led to where the zamboni comes out and watched the rest of the period from there on the glass. (That call that led to Buffalo's second 5 on 3 was COMPLETELY bogus, Sean Hill was visibly displeased to say the least) At the end of the first period my father was then led to the bench by Dixie, Stormy, and Chopper (who I honestly did not recognize at first, he looked completely different than the New Year's Eve ads I was subjected to 100 times per game) where they did the presentation during the first intermission.

So, it was definitely fun and I'm glad my dad won the contest. Several people said congratulations as we were leaving the arena after noticing his jersey. Here's a link that should take you to some of the pictures we took!

http://www.tavern.ca/gerry/Gerry.html

Note that I don't usually wear glasses but am currently nursing an eye ulcer I got (I didn't even know you could get an eye ulcer) from leaving my left contact in overnight. It's just about gone now with eyedrops but it was quite painful!

That's a page my dad put together with some of the pictures that were quite large in size but I've got the other pictures we took (of the locker room, the practice, etc.) that I can post on here if anyone's interested in seeing them!

Congratulations to lvscolencanes and Guin for winning recent contests as well!

That's a hat trick of contest winners from this site! Not to mention the John Deere tractor won earlier this year!

[folgersnyourcup]

Well....the game's already been discussed. More shots on goal but no win. I still enjoyed the game even though I was in the basement (or vomitories) of the RBC when the only Canes goal was scored! Earlier that morning we got to go to the pre-game skate and sit right down their next to the glass. It was fun, they did the same stuff they normally do at the Rec-Zone and there was a good-sized group of kids that I believe won a reading program thingy across the arena having loads of fun with Stormy while watching the practice.

Hlavac was practicing but was in VERY visible pain wincing every step of the way. Kevyn Adams looked to be in tip top shape so I was surprised he did not play. Afterwards, they had Wallin there to meet us (sweating from head to toe but with a big smile on his face, shook my hand and said "Hi, Nikky") who was very nice. He signed several of our things including a plaque with his picture after scoring the OT game winner in the Montreal series then we went into the locker room.

All I can say about the locker room is that I don't think they would have let us in there if I (or my father) was a girl..... I didn't expect the players to just be right there in the open walking around shirtless with towels around their waist! The first player we ran into was Weekes who I jokingly asked "Do you mind if I take your picture?" His response was "No......." then after realizing what he was wearing said "Wait, hang on, what sort of publication is this for?" then walked away laughing. I saw Cole in there working out and Brindamour talking to some of the players.

We came back later that day at game time and went to our seats which were low down on the lower level behind where Weekes was for periods 1 and 3. About 10 minutes into the first period we went down into the vomitories there (sorry, I just need to keep saying that word, hehe) and heard the goal horn go off. We were then led to where the zamboni comes out and watched the rest of the period from there on the glass. (That call that led to Buffalo's second 5 on 3 was COMPLETELY bogus, Sean Hill was visibly displeased to say the least) At the end of the first period my father was then led to the bench by Dixie, Stormy, and Chopper (who I honestly did not recognize at first, he looked completely different than the New Year's Eve ads I was subjected to 100 times per game) where they did the presentation during the first intermission.

So, it was definitely fun and I'm glad my dad won the contest. Several people said congratulations as we were leaving the arena after noticing his jersey. Here's a link that should take you to some of the pictures we took!

http://www.tavern.ca/gerry/Gerry.html

Note that I don't usually wear glasses but am currently nursing an eye ulcer I got (I didn't even know you could get an eye ulcer) from leaving my left contact in overnight. It's just about gone now with eyedrops but it was quite painful!

That's a page my dad put together with some of the pictures that were quite large in size but I've got the other pictures we took (of the locker room, the practice, etc.) that I can post on here if anyone's interested in seeing them!

Congratulations to lvscolencanes and Guin for winning recent contests as well!

That's a hat trick of contest winners from this site! Not to mention the John Deere tractor won earlier this year!

[Turbulence]

Sounds like a fun time! Wish I were you.
If only they had let both of you ride on the zambonis during one of the intermissions...

[Turbulence]

Sounds like a fun time! Wish I were you.
If only they had let both of you ride on the zambonis during one of the intermissions...

[KevynFan14]

Sounds like yall had a great time! Thanks for sharing the pics, they turned out well. :)

[KevynFan14]

Sounds like yall had a great time! Thanks for sharing the pics, they turned out well. :)

[Shell]

Thanks for letting us know how it went and for the pics!!
wow, chopper cut off his hair!

[Shell]

Thanks for letting us know how it went and for the pics!!
wow, chopper cut off his hair!

[Stormbringer]

Very happy to know you had a good time Folgers, despite the outcome of the game. Good pictures too...everything you and your dad got to do was too cool. :cool:

[Stormbringer]

Very happy to know you had a good time Folgers, despite the outcome of the game. Good pictures too...everything you and your dad got to do was too cool. :cool:

[crazy4canes]

Good pictures, folgers. Glad you had a good time. :D

[crazy4canes]

Good pictures, folgers. Glad you had a good time. :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

Thanks for letting us know how it went and for the pics!!
wow, chopper cut off his hair!

yes he did..and I think he looks hot!!!!! :spin:

Just had to say it to get everybody stirred up this morning..or at least the ladies!! ;) :p

[Jeff O Rocks]

Thanks for letting us know how it went and for the pics!!
wow, chopper cut off his hair!

yes he did..and I think he looks hot!!!!! :spin:

Just had to say it to get everybody stirred up this morning..or at least the ladies!! ;) :p

[lvscolencanes]

Glad you had such an awesome time at the game, even if you were in the vomitories..haha!!

Tell you dad he should have won hands down!! http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/9/biggthum.gif

[lvscolencanes]

Glad you had such an awesome time at the game, even if you were in the vomitories..haha!!

Tell you dad he should have won hands down!! http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/9/biggthum.gif

[Shell]

yes he did..and I think he looks hot!!!!!

you were in the vomitories

EXCELLENT Segue!! LOL

[Shell]

yes he did..and I think he looks hot!!!!!

you were in the vomitories

EXCELLENT Segue!! LOL

[caniac369]

yes he did..and I think he looks hot!!!!! :spin:


Were you smoking the same stuff as Paige??? :sick:

[caniac369]

yes he did..and I think he looks hot!!!!! :spin:


Were you smoking the same stuff as Paige??? :sick:

[brindy17]

forget Chopper, let's talk about Dixie! Getting the jersey is almost as good as getting to stand next to her..where do i sign up to get picked for the various things she helps to do during the game? :spin:

[brindy17]

forget Chopper, let's talk about Dixie! Getting the jersey is almost as good as getting to stand next to her..where do i sign up to get picked for the various things she helps to do during the game? :spin:

[nccanes]

All the 7th men are profiled on NHL.com now. Even folgers gets a mention!

http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/features/seventhmanwinners.html

Gerry Cohen
Carolina Hurricanes
Gerry Cohen is a Hartford native living in North Carolina, who was excited to see his team follow him south. Cohen has been a 'Canes season ticket holder for four years, expanding a six person pool with four seats, into an 18-person group with six seats. At work, he spreads the 'Canes gospel, organizing group outings to games. Cohen's two sons are avid Hurricanes fans as well. His older son, a college sophomore, drove 150 miles home for five different games this season, and during a snowstorm, Cohen took Amtrak to his campus and drove his son back to Raleigh for a game. He also was involved in a successful project that saw the introduction of Hurricanes license plates and of course is a proud owner of an "NC Canes #7" plate.

[nccanes]

All the 7th men are profiled on NHL.com now. Even folgers gets a mention!

http://www.nhl.com/intheslot/read/features/seventhmanwinners.html

Gerry Cohen
Carolina Hurricanes
Gerry Cohen is a Hartford native living in North Carolina, who was excited to see his team follow him south. Cohen has been a 'Canes season ticket holder for four years, expanding a six person pool with four seats, into an 18-person group with six seats. At work, he spreads the 'Canes gospel, organizing group outings to games. Cohen's two sons are avid Hurricanes fans as well. His older son, a college sophomore, drove 150 miles home for five different games this season, and during a snowstorm, Cohen took Amtrak to his campus and drove his son back to Raleigh for a game. He also was involved in a successful project that saw the introduction of Hurricanes license plates and of course is a proud owner of an "NC Canes #7" plate.

[MoBigRed]

His older son, a college sophomore, drove 150 miles home for five different games this season, and during a snowstorm, Cohen took Amtrak to his campus and drove his son back to Raleigh for a game. He also was involved in a successful project that saw the introduction of Hurricanes license plates and of course is a proud owner of an "NC Canes #7" plate.



Sweet!

[MoBigRed]

His older son, a college sophomore, drove 150 miles home for five different games this season, and during a snowstorm, Cohen took Amtrak to his campus and drove his son back to Raleigh for a game. He also was involved in a successful project that saw the introduction of Hurricanes license plates and of course is a proud owner of an "NC Canes #7" plate.



Sweet!

[nccanes]

The final winner:

Army helicopter pilot is NHL fan of the year

By IRA PODELL, AP Sports Writer
May 21, 2003
NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Islanders have brought Army helicopter pilot Roger Farina great joy, and moments of comfort when he's been far from home and surrounded by danger.

Now Farina's allegiance to the team has brought him home from war in Iraq.

Farina was chosen as the league's 7th Man Award winner Wednesday. He was flown to New York from the Middle East and will serve as NHL commissioner for a day during the Stanley Cup finals.

``I've been gloating and I'm ecstatic,'' he said from his in-laws' house in East Meadow, N.Y. ``All my friends are calling me 'Commish.'''

The 36-year-old Long Island native beat 29 other finalists representing each of the other NHL teams. Farina proudly portrays his love of the Islanders wherever he is, even when serving the United States at his home base in Germany, or when in South Korea, Macedonia, Poland, Czech Republic, Kosovo, Kuwait or Iraq.

Farina got the news of his win while he was still far away in dangerous territory. That began a long journey -- starting with a harrowing helicopter ride that almost turned into disaster.

``I left on Friday and we flew through Baghdad and we hit some bad weather so we had to turn around. I was kind of bummed at that point,'' he said just an hour after arriving in New York. ``Then one of the hydraulic lines ruptured and there was hydraulic fluid all over the place so we had to put it down in some muddy little field someplace in Iraq.''

Eventually the 30-hour trip got him from Iraq to Kuwait and then to Germany. He spent a few days there before coming all the way home.

Farina has been asking for time off recently to pursue other job possibilities in the Washington, D.C., area. He will take care of interviewing and his celebrity responsibilities while at home.

``I don't know if the professional thing alone would've gotten me home or if this NHL thing would've gotten me home, but I think the combination of the two of them definitely got me home,'' he said.

He will drop the ceremonial first puck of the finals on Tuesday before Game 1, either in New Jersey or Ottawa. Either place is fine with him.

``If Jersey wins that's good because they're sort of the hometown team. If Ottawa wins, that's where my wife is from,'' he said.

Farina stood out above the rest for his dedication to the Islanders even while fighting in the war. While deployed in the combat zones of Kuwait and Iraq, Farina was decked out in his Islanders jersey.

It was there that he found out that he was the Islanders' top fan, an honor that was overwhelming in itself.

``I was in the middle of the chow line and I screamed,'' he said. ``This was right in the middle of the war, and that's not something you want to do because people are on edge. Whenever you scream like that people are going for their masks.''

He maintains an Islanders Room painted in the team colors. It features Islanders uniforms, posters, yearbooks, hockey sticks, game pucks and bobbleheads. His daughters have the middle names Nystrom and Gillies, named after former Islanders stars Bob Nystrom and Clark Gillies who won four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980-83.

``Roger's dedication and loyalty reflect our fans' passion for, and connection to, our game,'' NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. ``He is the embodiment of the NHL.''

Farina arranges his leave from the Army around the Islanders' schedule and attends games -- home and away -- during that time. When he was last home in January, he and his Canadian wife were making plans to help her complete applications for U.S. citizenship.

In order to finish the process in New York, they would have to wait until May to get an interview. But one was available in Baltimore in January, and as luck would have it, the Islanders were in the area to play the Washington Capitals.

``It was destiny,'' he said. ``Of course my wife got her citizenship that day but I don't know which one was more important.''

Farina plans his overseas work schedule so he can listen to Internet broadcasts of Islanders games, no matter what time they are on. That wasn't possible when he was in Iraq and Kuwait, but he relied on 600 fellow Islanders fans to send him care packages with updates.

Also, a cell phone with Internet access provided him with snippets of news.

Farina was selected by a panel made up of hockey analyst John Davidson; ABC announcer John Saunders; ESPN announcer Linda Cohn; TSN hockey analyst Pierre McGuire; entertainer Denis Leary; and Bettman.

[Jeff O Rocks]

Thanks Eileen.....that is a great story...the excitement of his hockey hopes may have gotten him through some rough scary nights over there! :spin:

[folgersnyourcup]

Thanks for posting the national winner! I had been wondering which team's representative was going to win it. Just thinking about this past season and all the insanity that abounded during it, I really wish next season started a week after the Stanley Cup Finals.....

All those months and no hockey of any kind....

Well, at least we'll be happy knowing the Ducks won the cup and not the Red Wings yet again.

Go Ducks!