Waiting In Line For The Stanley Cup

Yesterday the Stanley Cup was at the Ice Den in Scottsdale, Arizona. Denver Wilson was a long time employee of the Ice Den and a trainer with the Los Angeles Kings decided to spend his day with the cup at 18 Degrees. Fans were invited to have their picture taken with the Stanley Cup from 5pm to 7pm for a fee of $5 with the proceeds going to the Jukka Nieminen Children's Trust. I believe more people showed up then expected as fans wrapped around the building and even with a half hour extension not everyone was able to get their picture with the cup, myself included.

Coyotes captain Shane Doan was also at the Ice Den, taking a few pictures with people. I believe he was their for his child's hockey, I didn't get the chance to talk with him so I can't confirm.

I arrived at 5pm to get in line to get my picture taken with the cup. I did not expect such a long, it was already wrapped around the corner and I ended up standing up in front of Mountain Fitness. Fans of all teams stood in line, with people in Kings, Sabres, Predators, Red Wings, Lightning, and Blackhawks merchandise standing around me. I even stood in front of a kid wearing a Coyotes t-shirt and a Nordiques hat, apparently his father is a Colorado fan.

According to people closer to the front of the line the Cup actually did not show up until 5:15. The wait was slow and there was very little forward movement, leaving many of the people near me to wonder if their would be enough time to get our pictures taken. For the next 2 hours I stood in line in the 100 degree heat, hoping that I would be able to get my picture taken.

Ten minutes before 7 employees came out and said that they were going to try to get as many people in as possible but for the people who couldn't get in they would be carrying the cup down the line for people to see. I was close enough to the door that I thought it was still a possibility that I could get in but I didn't have much hope.

At around 7:20 I was 4th in line to get into the doors when they closed an announced that nobody else would be able to get in. At that time the line was still wrapped around the building. I was able to get close to the cup to but no picture, a fact which lead to me going into 18 Degrees to get a beer.

After about a half an hour in the bar enjoying my Stella who should happen to walk in but the people carrying the Stanley Cup. Although I did not get a picture with the Cup I did get close enough to touch it. I knew the superstitions surrounding the Stanley Cup, but those didn't come into play when I decided not to touch the Cup. It just didn't feel right, although I know I will never personally be involved in winning the Cup it still didn't feel like it was the right time to touch it.