Lightning Strikes

 Sunday, we took Grace to the dog park.  Catherine got this pic of her.  I don't know why we bother trying to socialize her, because this is her "dog park position".  She plays with us -running back and forth- but never has gotten the concept of running with the other dogs.  Oh well- she is smiling.

Last night, we went to our first hockey game in several years.

 Catherine broke out her prized, practice worn, jersey.  We had season tickets for several years and lived here when the Lightning claimed the Stanley Cup in 2004. 

 This is the 20th anniversary of the Lightning and they showed lots of great moments on the video board.  It really made it fun for us - some really great memories.

 The "St. Pete Times forum" or the "ice palace" as we know it, has undergone a lot of renovation.  To the left is the new huge organ.  The sound was fantastic.  We were very pleased that there was a good crowd, even though the Lightning will miss the playoffs this year.  The Toronto Maple Leafs made the playoffs and had many fans in attendance.

 Ok - drop the puck already.
The game was big on defense- not a lot of shots in the first period. Toronto managed a goal just before the period ended.  Tampa answered early in the second and then took the lead mid way through. Toronto scored with less than a minute remaining in the second to even the score.  The third period was all lightning.  Marty St. Louis finished with a hat trick (3 goals).  That was especially fun for us, because he has played here a long time.  It was great to here the crowd break out in the chorus of "Louie, Louie" when he scored- made us feel right at home.

 

There are some hats on the ice, but they are a little hard to see from the nosebleed section.  Still, for ten bucks it was a great time.
Our Canadian friends were disappointed.  However, the Leafs will go on to the playoffs and the Lightning are going home.

Today, we are going out to look at a few more properties.