Thursday, February 3, 2011

Mason meets Hockey

So about three weeks ago on a Friday night, Jamey told Mason the legend of Gnash, the mascot of the Nashville Predators.*  That first night the story was told 2 maybe 3 times.

The next day the story must have had 8 to 10 retellings and since then Mason has become a huge fan of the saber tooth tiger and his online videos.  We have watched the online videos from in game entertainment, Gnash on game day, fan videos on YouTube over and over.

Through Jamey's hitherto unmentioned involvement in Leadership Sumner and a friendship has grown with David S., a Predators Season Ticket Holder since Day 1.  On January 29th, Jamey mentioned to David how Mason's fascination continues and David invited Mason and Jamey to attend the February 2nd game against the Calgary Flames.  The weekend involved a search for Mason's first "Gnash shirt" and a Monday morning revelation of the Tuesday invitation!

Mason's new Preds jersey and pants became his show and tell focus at school on Tuesday and in a driving rain storm after work and school, Jamey and Mason headed to the Bridgestone Arena, affectionately known locally as Smashville.



After watching the pregame from the lower bowl, David led Mason and Jamey to an ideal intersection to meet Gnash.  Following a coincidental and very low key pass by from Vince Gill, Mason got his moment!



Mason meets Gnash

After the encounter with the fanged one David, Mason and Jamey found their way to seats it the upper bowl and Mason loved his first hockey game.



From his perspective, he clearly knew that the guys in blue shirts were Gnash's friends and the guys in white shirts were the "bad guys," though he occasionally cheered for action more than for the home team.



Mason got into the home team GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL celebration (with a premature, soccer style shirt raising).



Mason wasn't ready to leave with 10 minutes left in the 3rd period and a 2-2 tie on the ice, but Jamey had the keys and the watch.  The Preds ended up losing in a shoot out, but Mason's first game was a great hit.  Our own season tickets are years off, but we'll be back to Smashville for sure!

*Read the official version here: Nashville Predators: About Gnash

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