AOA: First Edition of 2011; Los Angeles Kings, Austin's best "adventure" ever! Part 2

[Prime B]

So now it is gameday and tickets were an early Christmas present from Mrs. Claus. Prime seats too, in the corner where the Kings attack twice.

No obviously the family thought I needed something new to wear to the game.

As you may have seen in the previous thread, I actually got myself an autograph, Drew Doughty in the Kings retro throwback jerseys. The old Forum Blue and Gold are far and away my favorite sweaters ever. I ALMOST bought one a few times but held off HOPING one day LA would bring them back and I could get a current version with a current player.

BAM! The family delivered BIG, RBK AUTHENTIC style throwback!



It is not numbered or lettered because my wife wasn't sure if I would want Kopitar or Clifford. I am leaning towards the latter but the thing about Kopitar is he likely to stay with the team long term as one of the franchise players. (though Clifford coudl be a lifer the way he plays!)

For now it is blank but it is LEGIT. Love these sweaters. Best. Ever!

While we're showing off some jerseys, here's our father and son matching Kopi's all graphed up!




And here are a few team items I have been working on. One is obviously an old fireman's boot. I thought it would be neat to get signed and so I am.

The other is a team jersey that I have been working on since I bought it in 1999. I will keep going until it is FILLED with sigs, then I'll retire it. I cannot frame it since it is signed both sides, but decided instead I will put it on a mannequin display.








CONTINUED.............

[Prime B]

So off to the game we go and we obviously had to get there in time for warmups obviously as "The Red Dog" asked Austin to be there.

And who are we to not comply with The Red Dog?

Austin came armed with a few signs he made at home. He drew the pictures and colored everything in but we helped with the block lettering.

These signs obviously were chick magnets because he had a a young female Kings fan pretty infatuated with him.






Austin posing "with" Doughty



Austin reppin' it on the glass!





Well obviously the sign worked and/or Clifford decided to clutch up for Austin.

I noticed him go over to stretch at the bench, and was talking to the Kings head trainer. They kept looking over in our direction. I caught the proof in an image!



I kid you not, no more than 10 seconds after the previous picture, I hear a banging on the glass and look over. The trainer is holding a stick and motioning for us to come over.

The result?

Kyle Clifford rookie year game used stick.



Austin trying to cheer his boys on holding a sign and the stick!


High fives for his heroes as they leave the ice after warmups!






CONTINUED.............

[Prime B]

At the seats, and, seeing as it was the holiday season, we sported the Kings Santa hat for a bit!





Game starts off well, 1-0 for Westside!



Another one of Austin's favorite players, Matt Duchene, going head to head against his boy Kopi!



So we're out on the concourse between periods getting food and one of the peeps I know who works for the Av's, Lauren, comes by, sees me and asks "Is this your son? OMG Barrie he is ADORABLE!"

Austin says to her, "Do you want to be my girlfriend?" and she says "Of course." Austin says, "Ok then, hug me."




On our way back to the seats, Lauren was doing some in-game entertainment at the top of our section and let Austin rock the mic for a sec. He said "GO KINGS". Boos rained out.

Undefined awesomeness there.



This became a routine sight on the night much to the dismay of Av's junkies.



As the game clock started winding down we decided we had better make our way over to the area where the players tunnel is. I must admit, I was a bit nervous that Quick would remember anything as the game was currently 4-0 and with a shutout on the line I could only imagine the intensity going through his mind, the least of which might be thoughts of giving Austin a stick.

We got posted up in some empty seats right by the Kings bench vacated by displeased Av's fans.



Shocker.

LA Scores again, Dustin Brown I believe, to make it 5-0 Los Angeles.




CONTINUED.............

[Prime B]

So now it is getting comical to all involved for LA. Even JMFJ and DD were laughing it up on the bench:



And..............the Kings hold on for a 5-0 victory, Jonathan Quick with the shutout!



Moment of truth............................Oh my.............

This is the shot I took from my vantage point, Austin already has the stick from Quick, so what is Quick handing him now?



Here are a few stills a friend in LA took off his TV with his phone.



Check out this GIF clip and watch Quick reach into his glove.



Yup, that's right, Quick gave Austin THE PUCK FROM HIS SHUTOUT!

I have to admit my wife and I were totally SHOCKED by this.

I know Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur used to keep all of their shutout pucks, it's a pretty sacred item to a goalie.

I yelled down the tunnel as Quick went away and thanked him and he came back and gave me a fist bump! Haha!



Absolutely ridiculous.

I still look at that puck and am floored by the unbelievably amazing gesture of Jonathan Quick. As if the stick wasn't enough............wow.

Austin with the stick and shutout puck post-game down by the ice.



THE puck.





CONTINUED.............

[Prime B]

Pulled by me

[oilfan10]

Epic. I don't know what else to say.

[24redsfan]

OH. MY. GOSH. That is an amazing experience for you and Austin! How many GU sticks does Austin have now? The puck is really nice also! Nice fist pump with Quick!

PS, Austin might be a ladies' man

[afholmes87]

Excellent story, that's for sure. I love it how you've got the TV shots as well, just adds to the awesomeness!

[RGM81]

Wow that definitely does top the first one! Holy smokes! What an amazing experience that's got to be for the big guy.

[great1]

Very cool story, I can't believe that Austin got the shutout puck! That is very cool of both Quick and Clifford.

I really like the signed jersey you are working on, by any chance have you got the same player to sign it twice since you have so many signatures?

Not sure if anyone has told you this Barry but you look a bit like Ryan Reynolds in the photo you posted of yourself and Austin.