An amazing experience

I had a personal thrill of a lifetime tonight, and it wasn’t just the Predators’ thrilling 5-4 win over the Blue Jackets…

For as long as I can remember, I’ve put my name in any drawing I can to try to win something. When I was in elementary school, I seemed to always win a big prize in our school’s annual festival or whatever. But since then, my luck has run dry. For as long as I’ve been a partial season ticketholder for the Nashville Predators, I’ve entered my name into the ‘Shirts off our backs’ promotion… with no luck.

Well, tonight I was lucky enough to participate in this rare promotion! It was awesome! The PA announcer called my name in the 2nd period along with some of the other winners. I had to do a double take… I didn’t believe it. But I was more than willing to sacrifice the last 10 minutes + overtime + a shootout to get my hands on a game-worn Preds jersey!!

When the winners & I walked onto the ice after the win, I noticed that Gnash (Nashville’s mascot) was in the line with the players. I thought, ‘Oh gosh, with my luck, I’m gonna get Gnash’s jersey.’ But when I opened that envelope, J.P. Dumont’s name was in there and I was like a little kid in a candy shop! Dumont skated over, and the first thing he said to me was ‘This is pretty heavy’ (referring to the sweat). I didn’t care! Dumont also signed the jersey.

He was right about the sweat, though. We had to roll down the windows in the car on the way home… it reeked! But you know what, it’ll get a good washing this weekend, and I’ll be able to wear it at future Preds games. I’m kind of speechless to be honest… it was truly an awesome experience!