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The Fox’s Tail: Memories from my first NHL game
Blog — By fox on August 23, 2012 5:20 PMThe Fox’s Tail is a blog featuring the perspective from a girl working with a Junior A team in Toronto.
By Fox
Everyone has experiences in their formative years that they carry with them throughout life. I was reminded of one of mine recently when I heard a track from Supertramp, Breakfast in America. I bought “The Very Best of Supertramp” on CD when I was 17 years old, working two jobs and dreaming my way out of Toronto. When I saw the post on Facebook today, it reminded me again.
While working at my internship position as a reporter with the local newspaper in my hometown borough of Toronto, I befriended the sports reporter, who would find me things to do when I finished my assignments for the news editor too quickly. (I write really fast, and to this day I still finish my work so fast I’m always wondering what I can do next.) One particular afternoon, Mike offered me a chance at something great. He said he’d sell me his Leafs tickets for the next night, made an excuse about having a dentist appointment, full knowing that my friend was on the visiting team. So, I called my dad, asked if he would want to buy the tickets and go to the game, and he said yes! I had a very strained relationship with my dad at the time, so it was pretty monumental that he wanted to spend time with me. Most people’s dads took them to their first NHL game when they were a little kid. Not me.
I had been to a pre-season game before, but never a regular season game, let alone with my dad. On the way downtown, I asked if we could listen to my new Supertramp CD. I bought it the day before, with the intent that whenever I heard Supertramp, I’d think of the awesome time I had at the Leafs game.
My neighbour, who was two years older than me and enjoying his rookie season with the visiting squad, was a nice guy. He had a younger brother who was playing Junior A on our local team, who we hung out with fairly frequently. It was definitely exciting, that someone I knew was REALLY in the NHL.
When my father and I arrived downtown the night of the game, he wanted to park in a lot up the hill from the ACC, next to a restaurant he likes, called Joe Badali’s on Front Street.
We were sitting way up in the nose bleeds, and I was wearing my sister’s jersey … with the team our neighbour played on. The visitors ended up winning that night, which was strange, since they stunk and the Leafs were actually good at the time. People were chirping my choice of jersey, but I didn’t care.
In the years since, I have been to see him play a few more times, in other cities, and I’ve been to see other teams in other rinks. But I’ll always think of my very first time going to a Leafs game with my dad whenever I hear anything by Supertramp.
Hope all you beauties have similar fond memories of your first-ever NHL game!
- Foxy
Question, comment, chirp? Get at me … Twitter @hockey_foxx or e-mail me at redline_blueline@hotmail.com ..
55 Comments
great read, some of the best times are spent with friends at games!
i’ll never forget my first game either! reading this makes me think back thanks for the read!
good read
good read
Unreal and congrats on you’re first game! It’s always a special one!
I remember my first game, I was 4 and we were living in Pittsburgh. My dad wasn’t sure I’d have the attention span to make it through a whole game, but once the puck dropped he said I never even blinked. Hell I cried when the game was over cause I didn’t want to leave. Been in love with the game ever since. Great memories
Went to a pre-season game last year, can’t wait til I finally make a regular season game!
good read.
good read
Good read
Cool
I have many many fond memories of Old time hockey here in Johnstown watching Chiefs hockey (I wasn’t born yet to watch/remember the Jets) with my pop. Ya take for granted those days when you’re a little lad.
who was your neighbor on the opposing squad?
good read
great read
sweet read
good
My first game was a Leafs game too, but in Florida. We were there for a family vaca, as soon as we checked out how cheap tickets were Dad couldn’t resist
my first game was at the ACC too
My first was the big bad Chiefs ! those guys are all killers haha!! check them out on youtube !
My first was my best hands down
unreal store wata beaut
1. bruins @ leafs 2. sabres @ leafs 3. pens @ leafs 4. nucks @ leafs, sundin returns
I got lucky. My first game was a playoff game between the Wings and Sharks. Never forget that one.
Not bad first game.
unreal
nasty
dope
nice!
I’ll always remember my first NHL game, Sabres-Islanders in buffalo, I don’t think it could have been more fun. It’ll be a memory I’ll always have.
First NHL game was a schrimage between Phoenix and CBJ in Portland, OR. First “real” game was Detroit Phoenix in PHX. Loved every game i’ve been lucky enough to see
Good read Foxy!!
cool
classic
good stuff
still waiting for my first nhl game hahaha :p
I will never forget going to my first Leafs game with my old man. Truly a cool moment
Sadly I can’t remember my first game. I know it was a NYR game when I was 8 or 9 and I met some of the team after the game but the actual hockey played is less than a blur.
My first game was at the Forum to see the Habs vs the Rangers! When I was 8 I went with my dad and 2 uncles and it was a blast! By the end of the first period the Habs were down by 1 and we noticed lots of empty seats about 10 rows down half way through the second period so we moved down! After the second period the Habs were down by 2 and again more empty seats during the 3rd period so we moved down another 10 rows and were just a few rows behind the Habs bench! With like 5 minutes left to play the Habs made a comeback and ended up winning the game, and with our new seats we got to see the emotion in the players faces which was awesome!
cant remember my first but im sure it was good
went with the entire family i think
great story, i remember my first game- sabres/oilers in buffalo
nice
beauty
rrrrrrrrrrr
Kings vs the Oilers at the Forum back in the mid 80s
LEafs vs Sens early 2000s
good stuff !!!
nice stuff!
nice
cool
cool
interessting
nippy
sick read