Cindy Aubrey

Aubrey men and friend Tyler

Having not been to a Colorado Avalanche game in a few years,  I forgot how much fun they are. Ticket prices aren’t exactly family friendly so we watch most of the games on TV.  Of course, there is no substitution for being there in person.  Finding a good deal on stubhub.com,  we landed in four pretty good seats for a somewhat reasonable price.

A great game,  the Avs won in a shootout against the Kings – the crowd was in no rush to exit. Making their way out of the arena – people were moving slowly – shoulder to shoulder traffic. Then something weird happened.  A spontaneous cheer broke out as the hockey fans were herded down the escalators of the Pepsi Center.  Not just your post-game, “Yea, we won” chant,  but a well orchestrated full-on cheer. Hundreds of blue and red jersey wearin’, kid toting, somewhat sober and not so sober,  nonetheless well behaved hockey fans shouting…  “AV-A- LANCHE,    AV- A- LANCHE,   AV-A-LANCHE.”  It was melodic,  harmonious and uplifting.  They were hockey fans who sounded more like Up With People. Huh?  What happened to the cliche loud, beer swilling,  foot stomping,  obscene gesturing “hockey fans?”  They weren’t around last night.

So what gives?  Am I out of touch with Avs fans?  Are they so different from football and baseball fans?  After a Bronco game,  I used to have to put my hands over my kid’s ears because of  all of the F-bomb dropping etc.   I have stories, but this blog is G rated.

Rockies fans are a bit more subdued.  They sachet out satisfied and smiling after a win — knowing they’ll be back the next day for more.  Overall pretty calm.

Whatever the game – I love the fans – most of the fans – here’s a high five to Avs fans.

Cheering hockey fans