"Mom - Take Me Out to the Sharks Game!"

By Ivette Ricco

Saturday October 21, 2006

San Jose California

*click to view the pics*

I hope that you visit www.Femmefan.com to get a little different perspective and not to get yet another play by play regurgitation typically provided by sports journalists.

The San Jose Sharks have been very kind to www.Femmefan.com , they along with some other sports franchises have bucked the system and allowed us to cover their teams from the female fan's perspective.

My sport of choice is football. But, I must admit that the first hockey game I ever attended (a Sharks game in 2005) impressed the hell out of me.

This year I felt as if I could cover a game a little more like media and less like an ice hockey neophyte.

So, when I received my credentials for the October 21 game between the Sharks 6-1-0 vs. the Minnesota Wild 6-1-0, I was looking forward to a night of fast paced action.

I have a beautiful daughter. Cindy is 38 years old and a wonderful person, mother and wife. But, shockingly, she is not an avid sports fan like her sports-obsessed mom.

I don't know where I went wrong.

She had never been to a hockey game, but she's always ready for fun. I asked her if she would accompany me as my Femmefan photographer. I was confident in her photography skills and certain that she would do a great job.

But, this wasn't her son's little league game, or her daughter's dance recital.

This was an honest to goodness professional event being covered by seasoned and savvy veteran journalists and photographers. It was a challenge she couldn't resist.

I must admit that the men in the press room looked her over pretty closely when we walked in. Nothing gives you instant viability more than a pretty face and a cute body.

When I turned her over to the HP Pavilion staff so they could direct her to the photographer's area, I almost felt like I did when I sent her off to school for the first time.

Mothers will always be mothers.

I knew she was excited to have this opportunity. This Sharks game had meaning above and beyond the contest on the ice, this was a moment I would remember as a mother and as a sports fans.

I told Cindy to keep on eye out for Jonathan Cheechoo, number 14.

The game started quickly and the Wild scored very early in the first period.

By the second period the Sharks were down 3-0. The Wild scored again in the third period to bring the score to 4-0. The Sharks seemed unable to get the puck past the Wild's goalie.

The Sharks scored their first point in the game with 6:20 left in the third period during a Minnesota power play. But there was not enough time to stage a dramatic comeback. Although the enthusiastic crowd seemed to think there was still a chance.

Great fans down there in San Jose , but it was too little too late.

Final score 4-1 wild.

After the game I asked Cindy to give me her impressions.

The game was so exciting!!  I enjoyed how action packed it was & sitting up close made me almost feel as if I was part of the game.  I  actually jumped and sat back at times as the players threw each other against the "glass" and the hole that is in the glass for camera use, was also an exit for ice at times!! 
I knew it would be action packed because I've watched bits and pieces on TV.  As the game progressed, I noticed how much more aggressive the players grew!  In fact, a spectator response I overheard was, " Why are they so angry?  They should talk to someone about that!"  That was the response of a first time Hockey spectator, who was a teenage girl. 

I definitely want to go again & enjoy it with my family.  The game is far from boring, even with the three-15 minute intermissions.  I couldn't wait to see the action start. I also didn't realize that about 97% of the players aren't even from the U.S. !  They are young, but built like football players, without the belly bulge!!  It is action packed, like basketball, but much more aggressive, faster, fewer penalties (this games at least) and better looking players!!  Baseball games are not that exciting for me in person, because baseball is more strategic & based on accuracy, not aggressiveness and excitement.  Plus, the stadium in a hockey arena is much more personal, due to its smaller size.  So any seat in the house is decent.  I'd like to see a hockey game from a higher seat next time, so that I wouldn't miss what happens all over the ice, versus right in front of me.  I think I could become a hockey fan!!!  Go Sharks!!

I guess maybe I just might make a Femmefan out of her yet!

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