Roaming The Rinks

We see a lot of different and cool things through our travels to arenas each year.  There are the typical between period contests such as tricycle races, the typical fan shot from center ice, the occasional weiner dog race, and we even took part in the world record attempt at setting off the most whoopie cushions at once at an Albany RiverRats game a few years ago.  Sometimes you get to see something that seems completely typical on the surface, such as zamboni rides, but turns out to be uniquely cool once it takes place.

My visit to Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo had zamboni rides, not unlike many arenas we have seen.  What was inspiring, and hit special place in the heart of hockey fans, is the fact that K-Wings fan Mary Ellen Burdick was taking a zamboni ride to celebrate her 80th birthday!  Mary Ellen was likely attending hockey games in the days of Gump Worsley and Rocket Richard, but for one night she got to wave excitedly to fans from atop the ice resurfacer.  Her joy and smile was clear from the top row.   Go Mary Ellen.  Glad to have seen it and best wishes (albeit a bit late).