T Stands for Ice Hockey

Happy Tuesday everyone. 

It is time for T again, and today we are going north on a road trip to chilly Orono, Maine.

But first I need to pack my hockey jersey.

It's time for the Border War to continue. The University of Maine hockey team is playing the University of New Hampshire in men's ice hockey.

A quick background story: Back in 1999 these 2 teams were playing for the National Championship in Division 1 Men's Ice Hockey. At the end of playing time the teams were tied, but since they can only give out one  national championship, the game went into overtime. The first team to score would win. And Maine was the first to score, making them the National Champions, and denying New Hampshire their first ever trophy.

And for those of you not familiar with US geography, Maine and New Hampshire are 2 states next to each other.

Well that game has yet to be forgotten, and hence, the Border War began.

Since then, each year,they alternate where the game is being played, and this year it was being played in Maine, my university alma mater.

And my daughter and her beau both graduated from the University of New Hampshire.

We started having some fun family rivalry and going to these games together a few years ago.

But, before the game starts at 7 PM, let's go have some dinner.

I know not all of you drink beer, but we split a pitcher of red ale. The restaurant was crowded and loud before the game, so I couldn't hear the name of the brewery when the waitress told us and I was seated where I couldn't read the menu board. (sad face)

 But this is my drink for T day. And it was tasty.

And while we waited for dinner, we had a bowl of popcorn. Don't you love how they recycle some type of plastic tub as popcorn bowls?  

This pizza place opened in the late 1950's, and I bet they haven't changed much except for adding the TVs. But for those of us who graduated decades ago, being back at a place that has stayed the same feels good in  nostalgic way.

And dinner was pizza. I ate quite a few of these during my 4 years at school. 

While writing this post, I want another slice or 2 of this. But it is dinner time for me.

Then it was off to the game.

 This game always fills the arena.

 It was an exciting game. At the end the second period (there are 3, 20 minute periods in these hockey games), the University of New Hampshire scored.  Most of the third period this 1-0 score  held, and when they announced the last minute of play, it looked like New Hampshire would win.

But then, with 50 seconds left in the game, Maine scored. Now there was a tie.

 In non-championship games, there is a 5 minute overtime. The first team to score wins. If no one scores, the game ends as a tie.
Now everyone was sitting on the edge of their seats, as the cliche goes.

When Maine scored in the last 50 seconds, the crowd went wild. The arena got loud.

That energy kept the team going and hurrah- a little over 2 minutes into overtime Maine scored again.

That meant Maine won!

I think the newspaper quote from Maine's coach sums it all up nicely.

"The Alfond (arena name) was absolutely electric when we scored the the game-tying and the game-winning goal. It was deafening. In fact, it was so loud I couldn't hear the band. I couldn't distinguish music from the rest of the noise. That's not easy to do. It was loud."

And should you feel bad for my daughter and her beau as they rooted for the other side and were surrounded by a lot of crazy Maine fans, last year in New Hampshire their team won, and it is all just good fun. And beyond the end results, it is always good hockey in these games.

Stop by   Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog  to join us for T Day and to see what everyone has been up to.

Also, I am linking up to Art Everyday Month, day 18.

Have a great week and thanks for visiting.