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Long Time Listener, First Time Caller Kings Fan in Long Beach
Hello Kings fans!
I've been a Kings fan since the 84-85 season. For my first game, someone made the mistake of getting me down front for the Kings vs. the Quebec Nordiques and I have been addicted ever since. I still remember $5 tickets behind the goal and being chastized by fans for being giving encouragement for Mark Hardy one night.
I became a season seat holder when Wayne Gretzky arrived in town. Those were great years and I made a lot of friends back then with our fellow season tickets holders. I made one mistake back then and that was NOT buying playoff seats in 1993, naturally that was the year the Kings went to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time. How happy I was for the Kings and how sad I was for being so stupid in not buying tickets. Once everyone from the cup years left, I left too. The Alex Zhitnik trade for Grant Fuhr being the final straw.
For the next few years, I watched on TV as new ownership and new management did nothing to right the ship. I attended the first ever game at Staples Center and was pleased to see a new direction with Ziggy, Matty, Stumpel and Felix the Cat making things fun again. I would attend a few games a year and sat there wondering who all these new young guys were on and why were they at the NHL at such a young age.
A few years ago the Kings returned to the playoffs and I knew I had unfinished business with the Kings. I still had major regrets about not buying my playoff tickets way back in 1993. I called the Kings and bought a 10 game mini-plan. I was was so excited to be back with a new set of fans and seeing some familiar old faces along the way. My pain as a Kings fan returned as they blew a 4-0 lead against San Jose in game 3 of the playoffs. I sat there with my eyes watered, arms crossed, staring at the scorebaord asking myself "WHY?" for the millionth time!
I love taking the train to Staples Center from Long Beach and metting other Kings fans.
Well, as you all know, all that changed this year!! How excited I was to share the greatest moments of my life with my brother, nephew, niece and old friends as the Kings finally won the Stanley Cup!!! It was like a dream, only a million times better!! How the tears came down my face when Dustin Brown lifted the Stanley Cup over his head! I still cannot believe it happened. Last night, I finally got my photo with the Stanley Cup and I felt like a boy on Chsristmas Day as the photogarapher took my photo. I look forward to many more memories with the Kings and all of you! Thanks for indulging me! - Rick
