Today was the final chance to see the Stars on the ice. Since they don’t play again until Friday night, they had an optional practice today. Only half the team actually got on the ice for a skate. The rest did either weights or rehab or other training and then others, like Mike, didn’t come in at all until later. It was still good to see those that were on the ice out there. To my credit, I didn’t cry this time.

We met up with OldMike from the Stars forum and chatted to him through practice and then went to line up for autographs. We had three still to get to make our jersey complete - Sergei Zubov, Janne Niinimaa and Jeremy Stevenson. Unfortunately, Jeremy had already left when we went out to line up but Zubie came out the door and signed our jersey - he’s not one for much fanfare and hates being in the spotlight so signing autographs isn’t his favourite thing in the world. But he did and for that we are grateful. Jason, one of the staff for the Stars, did us a favour and got Janne Niinimaa to sign our jersey for us by taking it into the locker room - Janne isn’t exactly the most fan-friendly teammember, so it was great of Jason to do that for us. It’s a shame that we missed Stevenson but since Tjarnqvist was brought up from the Minors and both he and Billy Guerin signed our jersey, we actually have a full roster on there without Jeremy’s john hancock on there anyway. We even have Tippett too!

With our jersey completed, we just said goodbye to the guys as they left, or hello as the case was for Mike when he came in late, before heading off to get some lunch. We stopped by to say goodbye to Rob but he wasn’t in his office. After lunch we dropped back in and Rob was there so we said goodbye and thank you for everything, to which he nonchallantly shrugged and pretty much said “No problem, just get back here next season!”

We shall indeed try.

This afternoon, we went to a hockey store but they had no wheels for inline skates. We’ll check out another one tomorrow after we go to UPS to mail some of our gear back to Australia. Then it’s back to the hotel to check out, check into Motel 6 for our final night, return the car, and prepare for our watching/going away party at Michelle and Nathan’s house.

Tonight though, we’re going to Reunion Tower to check out the view, then meeting Chris back at our hotel before the three of us are heading to Rhonda’s for Chinese and Hockey!! It should be a blast.

I probably won’t be able to post on here again until we get home so to all of our friends here in Dallas - Rhonda, Jesse, Chris, Michelle, Nathan, Jen, Karin, Cindi, Zack, Andrea, Dave, Kelly, Sparky, Kel, Matt, Jeff (though I know you’re actually in Florida), Julie, Clay, Harold, Heather, Mike and Leni - thank you so much for bringing so much fun and laughter to our trip. We have had an absolute blast here in Dallas, so much so that we wish we didn’t have to go and leave you all. To anyone I’ve missed out - I’m sorry but the above goes for you too.

To Rob, Jason, Mark and the guys at the Stars - THANK YOU SO MUCH! You’ve given so much to us, in what you call a day’s work - to us it helped make a dream come true all that much more special. Thanks guys. I hope we see you again next season!

To Ralph and Razor - Keep it up boys. We love you so much! You’re our link to Stars hockey and we have missed listening to your call of the game. Here’s to the rest of the season and a good playoff run to the Stanley Cup - oh and Ralph, you’re right. The steak fajitas at Papasitos are fabulous! Thank you for being patient with us. Thanks for your candor and your assistance. Really, you guys are heroes to us. Thank you.

To the Stars players - thank you guys so much. Mike and Jere, you were so generous to us. Thank you for your time, your patience and your candor. The photos will be treasured. To the rest of the team - GOOD LUCK BOYS!! We’ll be following you through the playoffs. Stay strong, play with pride, honour, courage and faith. We know you can make it to the podium to hold that Cup high. GO STARS!

And to everyone at home… I hope you’ve enjoyed following our journey as much as we’ve had taking it. See you next week.

~ Wendy.