We lost. Let’s get that out of the way first. We lost. But the bonus… all goals were in front of us!

Let’s start at the beginning. We got to Jesse’s around 5.30pm and needed to be at the west media gate at 5.50pm - which Jesse got us there only two minutes late. We met Randy, and waited while they shot a couple of small segments, and then met JeffK - who was really personable and easy to get along with.

We did two takes of the small interview, which was really funny. He said, “This is Wendy and Sam, they’re our Stars Fans of the Game and Wendy, when we were talking before, I couldn’t help but notice your accent, where are you from?”

I replied, “I’m from Brisbane, Australia.”

“Really? So it would take a really long time to get to games huh?” he asked, which of course made me laugh.

“About 37 hours, yeah.”

He asked what it was about the Stars that got us into hockey and I said, “Umm Mike Modano.” He laughed and asked Sam if that was the same for him and he said, “No I’m a Jere Lehtinen fan.” And then he asked us to give a big “GO STARS!” which we did. They played it 11 mins into the game. That was really embarrassing.

Anyway after that interview, we met commentator Ralph Strangis who was really, really nice to us and was surprised that we were from Australia and we said we love their commentary and listen to the games over the internet and this is the first time to the US for us and that we only went for Stars hockey. Sam mentioned he was from New Zealand and Ralph said, “Oh so she must like you,” and I replied, “Yeah well I married him because I couldn’t wait for Mike forever, I mean the long distance thing doesn’t work, there’s this big ocean and… you know…” and he grinned and said, “Yeah, of course, I can see that would be a problem.” It was quite amusing.

Ralph asked who was on our jerseys and we said “Modano and Lehtinen.” He said, “Oh Butch and Sundance, nice choice.” I added, “Yeah, we’re like that with almost everything.” The small talk was funny and great and I can’t remember all of it but I have a really lovely memory and impression of him so I’m happy with that.

We then went to see the ice and got some photos of that, and saw Razor up at the booth on section 106, so we walked over to have a chat to him. When Rhonda told him we had come over from Australia, he got up and walked over. He shook our hands saying, “This is where I say ‘Put another shrimp on the barbie huh?’” to which I replied, “It’s a prawn!” with a grin.

He was also surprised to hear that we listened to the games and that we had recorded every game up until the last Kings games and we loved their commentary. We said we thought they were funny and I added that I read his blog, which made him grin and make a smartbutt, wanna-be-modest comment. He also asked who was on our jerseys and we both turned around. Then he asked if it was their commentary that made me go for Mo and I replied, “Uh no, I’ve followed Mike since I was 13.” Razor was great, I really liked him. We told them we were here until April first and going to (at the time) the next five home games. He said he wished he had something to give us, but we said, “Could we get a picture?”

“Yeah, sure come around the tunnel, and we’ll take a picture!” he said, so we walked around to the other entrance to 106 and Sam and I got our picture taken twice with Ralph and Razor, once with and once without the flash. Jesse did the honours. Razor then left to interview Mike, saying to us, “I’m off to interview your guy now!” and Sam called out, “Don’t forget to let him know we’re here!” which he called back, “I won’t!”

Ralph said to us, “I’m at every practice, so just come and see me and I’ll make sure you get to meet the guys, Mo at least.” I said that we’d appreciate that, and we’d definitely see him at the practice because we have a gift for Mike and Jere.

Anyway we then went and sat down in our seats after getting hot dogs and chilli fries to watch warm up. OMG… it was SO AWESOME. I was just sitting there, hugging Jesse going “THERE’S MIKEY!! OH MY GOD.. Look there’s baby daddy,” (Morrow - Jesse’s favourite player) “And Jussi, and Zubie and TIM TAM! Look there’s TIM TAM!! Mmmm he looks GOOD. OH THERE’S MIKEY AGAIN!!” I was in heaven. It was so great.

There were no words when the game started… the lights went down and the Star came down and the smoke machines went off and then… the guys came out! We have about 30 secs on video of it!!! I love our camera! I was screaming so much I don’t have a voice left.

The game was exciting - even though we didn’t win and we didn’t play well. In fact, we had no defense at all and Zubie had a really bad game, as did Niinimaa and Klemm but Lehtinen and Daley had really good games. Mike wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t great either. I jumped out of my seat screaming when Antti Miettinen potted the Stars only goal. The Ducks were just really on their game with their defense. They outplayed us, pure and simple.

Marty let in the first goal, it was awful. It went through his arm, we thought he had it, he thought he had it, but it fell out and went through his arm. The second goal, Niinimaa gave a turnover, and then Klemm didn’t even do much than just poke a stick at it but that didn’t do anything to stop the puck from going in 3 mins left in the game. It was disappointing.

But still the best game of hockey I’ve ever seen in my life!

Afterwards, we met up with Ryan from the forum and his wife and friends, and we went down to the Old No 7 bar and watched the players leave. Mike has a police escort to his car (no smartbutt remarks Muzz). Saw Brenden Morrow’s wife Anne-Marie and their daughter Bryella - she’s so cute. Long blonde curls and a tiny MORROW jersey with 10 on the back. Adorable. We saw Sergei Zubov, Jere Lehtinen, Marty Turco, Brenden Morrow, Bill Guerin, Brett Hull, Niko Kapanen, Stephane Robidas, and of course Mike Modano leaving. It was great. Didn’t talk to them or anything just watched them walk out.

Still… four more games to go. Stars practice tomorrow at noon - 1pm. I can’t wait. I want to get up to Frisco by 11 am. That means I’ll be up at 8.30am. So be it. I can’t wait to see my guys.

*sigh* Good thing this is text, otherwise you wouldn’t hear a thing!

~ Wendy

So we found this wonderful little place in Addison called Dunn Bros Coffee that has free internet access and free computers to use when you buy their coffee. Have I mentioned how much I love Dallas?!?!

So update on the trip so far - Jesse got a shutout on Saturday night but we didn’t go, we went back to Rhonda’s to watch the Red Wings beat the Oilers in a shootout and then the Kings beat the Blues … three games in one night on television. Have I mentioned how much I love Dallas!?!? *GRIN* It’s great here!

Sunday, since the boys won in San Jose, they were given the day off from practice. It didn’t stop us from going to Frisco StarCentre anyway just to have a mooch around and check things out again. We watched the peewee league play on the Stars practice rink - the Dallas Stars unfortunately lost to the Houston Aeros 3-0. We then went back to the Stars Stuff Store and gave in to our temptation and bought 2 jumpers, 3 t-shirts (2 for me and one for Sam), an Olympic puck, a Stars shotglass, 2 foam hands (got to do the stereotypical thing at the games!), a Stars watch for Sam, a Jokinen jersey for the guys to sign that we will frame when we get home, a Stars umbrella, and the piece de resistance…. a Stars Skateboard! I finally got one! I’ve wanted one since they were giving them away with the Christmas tickets on the Stars site. I’m going to ask Mike if he’ll sign it for me since his picture is on the bottom of the skateboard.

The guys at the Stars Stuff Store thought we were hilarious, especially Ben who kept laughing at my accent. I asked what was so funny and he was like, “Nothing, it’s just so cool!” We chatted for about an hour. They looked after our skateboard while we wandered around and went to watch the last few minutes of the other peewee league game, the Aces Vs the Hounds - Hounds won 3-2. Man, the sports parents here are just insane. There was one mother waving a COWBELL… which was fine for all of one minute but then got really annoying. We dropped back into the SSS, said goodbye to the guys and picked up my Skateboard before heading next door to Stonebriar Mall again for something to eat.

And this is where it happened. My first Star Experience.

We went inside at Dick’s Sporting Goods, and up the escalators to the second floor and walked towards the food court. Who is walking the other way with his wife and child, but none other than Stars Defenseman, #3 Stephane Robidas!! OMG it was… exciting, amazing. I don’t know how but I kept my cool. I have a rule. I don’t bug the boys when they’re in their private time. If they’re at the rink, they’re working and fair game. If they’re with their family, I leave them alone. They’re not working and deserve to live their lives as normally as possible. So… Stephane looked at us, and read our jumpers which both said Dallas Stars. I smiled at him and said, “G’day,” and we kept walking. He nodded acknowledgement and gave a small smile, so I think he was grateful that we didn’t bother him while he was with his family. I could see him thinking, ‘are they going to stop me? they’d know who I am…’ but we didn’t.

Anyway I elbowed Sam after he passed and said, “That was Robidas!” (pronounced Roe-bee-dah - he’s French-Canadian) and he said “Who?” because he didn’t hear me, so I repeated, “That was Stephane Robidas! Stars Defenseman!” Sam said, “Ohh I thought I recognised him!” I said “I’d know that nose anywhere, and see I told you I wouldn’t bother them if I saw them on the street!! You didn’t believe me!” Short but sweet. I’ve been on that buzz for the last 24 hours.

Robidas was my first Star. Has a nice ring to it!

Last night we just stayed home and did laundry and fielded phone calls from Rhonda, Chris and Leni. It was good to just stop for a moment and relax. We had steak burgers for dinner, home made in our kitchenette, and watched a couple of movies and tv shows on telly. It was great.

Tonight, its our first Stars Game!!! I’m so excited, because we just got a call from Randy with the Dallas Stars, who said he got an email from JeffK, the Stars Music Director, who said we’d love to be the Stars Fans of the Game and gave him our cell phone number which I’d posted up on the Stars forum because well we’ll only have the phone for two weeks and then it won’t work anymore. Anyway I said, sure we’d love to be! So we’re going to the West Media Entrance at 5.50pm to ask for Randy and he’ll come down and get us and take us up to be interviewed. Jesse has our jerseys from Kelly so we should be dressed up just right!

I’m so … amazed and excited and there are just no words right now. I have butterflies already!! I can’t wait for tonight, it’s going to be AMAZING!

~ Wendy