Now that we’re halfway through first semester, I know I’m starting to feel burned out. Sad, but true. I have a sophomore case of senioritis. All I can say is thank God for weekends. These days, though, there is work to do on the weekends, as well. So when I wake up around one o’clock on the weekends, I try to get some work done so I can do fun stuff later. This past weekend, I found my new favorite activity (I know what you’re thinking).

All I can say is, if you’ve never been to a Falcon hockey game, you’re seriously missing out. First of all, I have a passion for hockey that goes back to having a Dad who played hockey until recently and was and still is a hockey fanatic. Not only that, but in high school I had a crush on the captain of the hockey team, so naturally I showed up to all of his games, thus becoming a “hockey fan.”

I still remember my first live hockey game. It was a Raleigh Ice Caps game, and it was so exciting, but I was afraid I was going to get knocked out by a flying puck during the whole game (I was young, give me a break!). Then I moved to Columbus and so did the Blue Jackets. It must have been fate. Now I’m a huge Blue Jackets fan. I’ve gone home on weekends before just to see games. So I’m happy I picked a school with a hockey team.

I get a huge kick out of the kinds of people hockey games attract. I’ve never seen so much orange in my life than I did in the stands of the ice rink during the games. Because Halloween is here, some people even showed up in costumes. Not only that, but some people are regulars at the games and have their own way of standing out, like wearing crazy clothes or something. One particular costume caught my eye. Sitting across from me on Saturday was someone who appeared to be wearing a gas mask. Someone sitting behind me yelled out, “Look, it’s Darth Maul!” I couldn’t tell if it was an anti-war protester or just someone trying to look like someone out of Star Wars. But it was entertaining.

At last Saturday’s game I saw a lady with hand puppets. That’s the funniest thing, how everyone is different, yet at an event like a hockey game differences don’t matter because we’re all here to cheer on the team. Unless you’re an Ohio State fan” and there were several of those around!

Friday I was in the front row by the Falcons’ bench. Talk about a great view! I was front and center of all of the action on the ice, and loved every minute of it. I think the two best places at hockey games are either right on the ice. A certain fraternity that is notorious for its hockey fans took up the front few rows of the student section, and cheered the loudest. Next to the student section, however, was a Group of young children. I’m sure a lot of parents got the question, “Mommy, Daddy, what does (insert word here) mean?”

I love to ice skate, and one day I was at the rink before I had practice for the intro synchronized skating team and noticed the photos of the hockey team on the wall. After attending the games this weekend, I have no objection to the rumors I’ve been hearing regarding the attractiveness of the team. It’s a shame their faces have to be covered with masks the whole time. But I guess if they didn’t have masks, they wouldn’t be as attractive as they are!

So now that you know all about hockey games and what goes on there and for ladies” what you have to look forward to, you have no excuse to not show up! I promise it’ll be a great time!

Danielle can be reached at [email protected].