You knew something special was happening at The Aud even before the game started last Friday night. There was a security team of about six people doing some advanced scouting of the seats Prime Minister Stephen Harper would occupy for the game between the Rangers and Owen Sound Attack. The PM is a huge hockey fan and he saw a pretty good display of junior hockey. He also posed for countless pictures during every intermission. And rumour has it he even kissed a baby — for real! Gotta love politics. You’ve also gotta love John Poole and the rest of the “Swedish Meatballs” in their usual seats along the glass. They made a special “Gabe for Prime Minister” sign just for the occasion. Well played, Meatballs.

Saturday turned out to be another adventure in Erie. On our last trip down two weeks ago, there were so many vehicles crammed into the back parking lot that we couldn’t get the bus out until some of them moved. This time, there was a pick-up truck with a snowplow blade on the front blocking our entrance into the Tullio Arena parking lot. We weren’t waiting long before Associate Coach Paul Fixter sprung into action, though.

Suspecting the keys might still be in the truck, Fixy hopped off the bus and right into the cab of the truck. Sure enough, the keys were there. The next thing you know, the snowplow blade is being lifted and the truck is being backed out of the way. The worker responsible for the truck came running towards it when he saw it move but, after surveying the situation, he didn’t put up a fuss. Fixter was on a mission. He got the truck out of the way, the bus got into the parking lot and the team started unloading their gear. I didn’t see the plow driver again after that. He obviously had better things to do than watch a hockey coach drive his truck.

Is everyone else as excited for the playoffs as I am? Don’t worry, we’ll keep the updates coming during the postseason, right down to the last superstition.

See you at the rink.