And we're back to the hotel (actually have been for a while).

Was a tough game. Second period was, well, bad. Last half of the third period was great. If we'd seen that all night, the outcome would have been different. Dorman was in net, but not everything was his fault. If they come on strong tomorrow they can take the Blizzard again.

Small crowd in Dyer, maybe 200 people. Six of us easily out shouted them. (The Slapshots came up as well). In the first period they were seriously booing our goals louder than they were cheering their own. I don't get it. It was also plainly obvious tonight that there's canned cheers coming over the PA. Sad.

Every time the Shooters come out they remind people that they are the defending champs, made my eyes about roll out of my head. I mean every time, not just the start of the game. And when they announce the line up at the start of the game, the announcer gives the biggest loudest most enthusiastic intro to Darren. I laughed. Loudly.

Crowd was better behaved than in the past and I noticed police officers in attendance which I appreciated. They had a soldier who'd just returned from Iraq do a ceremonial puck drop, that was nice. I got photos I'll work on later this week. I got shanghaied into participating in the first intermission contest. It was luau night or something so they had four of us put on grass skirts and had a hula contest. Fortunately for me, we didn't have to be out on the ice, but in the stands on the landings (like where we do Dance for your Dinner). I got booed, but for my jersey not my dancing. I rang my cowbell at them. I don't know what the prize was if there was one but all of us got a game used puck. Mine is signed by the Shooter thug who fought with Brooks (and tried to beat the crap out of Vasquez). I promised not to burn it.

I think that's it. I was really pleased with the end of the third period. They look so discouraged when they came out for it but managed to rally and come back strong. Sometimes I think this game needs a 4th period!