Withdrawals to the max...

I had bad withdrawals right after the regular season was over. I didn't watch but a handful of the first round games out of shear spite for the other teams that are stupid douchebags (which is all of them). I want to vomit at the thought of how hard I've cheered for the Wings through out this entire thing. One would think that I would have wanted ANY team to beat them but after being paired against the Blow Jackets, the fugly-fested Ducks, and the assclown Hawks I couldn't stand the idea of another team getting the glory. I've gotten stuck in the mindset that we should just let the powerhouse team keep it until we pry it away from them.

Flawed logic? Maybe.

Better than Crosby or some other NHL love child raising the cup? Definitely.

Anyway, back to the withdrawals. They've hit hard over the past week or so. I've done good not thinking about how much better nights are after work when they involve rushing to Nashville, #20 jerseys, and yelling. I think what's pushing me right now is how much attention I've given this last series and the number of times I've driven into Nashville over the last week. I love that drive. It's a drive home. It's usually a drive to my happiness. I miss it. :-(

I miss sitting at the glass. I miss watching Vern go top shelf on an invisible goalie. I miss watching Shea, KK, and Toots play hacky sack with the puck. I miss Jordin being the lovable man ho he is. I miss Suter and Shea practicing their passes across the ice... almost always followed by a shit eating grin or two. I miss Ellis taking slapshots. I miss watching our team not hit the broad side of a barn. False. Next year they better hit the net. I miss the short talks and jokes that take place on the escalator to our cheap seats. I miss air high fives and dibs on the jumbotron. I miss the kangaroo dance. I miss putting my feet up and hiding my face during shoot outs. I miss being allowed to be super redneck when a fight takes place. I miss the beaming feeling I get after we score. I miss the even more beaming and ecstatic feeling I get when my boy scores. I miss jumping up and down while chanting the goal song. I miss the salute from our boys after a win. I miss hurrying down the stairs to get to the PGS to save seats. I miss that small ounce of hope that it's one of my favorites that got the call. I miss not being disappointed in whoever we get because I know it's something special that other fans don't ever get to experience. I miss the climb up hill on the way back to the car and then the 30 minute drive of reflection on the way home. Thinking about every moment that I just listed again to let it sink in best.

I miss it all and I can't wait for it to start all over again. Fingers crossed that we're still playing further into the summer next year. Either way, hurry up!