The “Bring Helmer Back Now” Rally 

First of let me say that I will no longer refer to the Company that let Tom Helmer go as Root Sports, they will now be known on the Rant as “Poot Warts”.

The Helmer Rally was held at the Blake Street Tavern. I’m not sure why as the Blake is very PRO Poot Warts but they had no problem with us talking trash about Poot Warts while we were inside so no worries. Plus it was close to the Poot Warts offices and we had a plan.

It was a Rally so I made a sign.

Downstairs in the Blake Street Tavern is where we all met.

Emily made a screen saver for Tom expressing how she feels.

Tom liked it. 

James from 5280 Shirt Shop and Colin from the Southstands, the dudes who organized the Helmer Rally.

James donated 25 “Helmer is my Homeboy” T-Shirts for the Rally.

After a tiny bit of encouragement Tom was up on the Bar doing his thing.

 Tom took time to hang out, chat and pose for pictures with everyone who showed up.

Poop Warts…. Tom Helmer is one of a kind and he was ours. How foolish of you let him slip away.

Why did you do this to Rockies fans?

Who is the ”genius” responsible for this decision?

 Why are we not hearing from that individual? Please explain, we deserve an explanation.

While standing up on the Bar, Helmer made a short heartfelt speech.

Tom with Emily and Dan of Bring Helmer Back NOW

Rox Addict chalking up another Running Man.

This season is going to suck without the Homeboy. He made a Rockies win that much better.

Poot Warts, I don’t like the way you roll.

 You don’t care at all about “The Fan”, that’s just a BS slogan someone came up with that you thought sounded good at the time.  A slogan you figured Rockies fans would believe. It sort of worked, at one time even I believed it.

Because of your lack of consideration for “The Fan” I’ve made it my mission(along with several other Rantics) to do everything we can to encourage Rockies fans to avoid your broadcast and totally diss your sponsors.

Now it’s up to you to prove to Rockies fans you care about “The Fan“. It’s not too late, this situation can still be reversed. I see you have Helmer’s job posted so that proves you didn’t even have anyone in mind when you made the snap decision to let him go.

People make mistakes I realize this. Step up, fix this one quick and all will be good in the world.

If not, and you continue to disrespect the Rockies fan base by ignoring us or by trying to appease us by replacing Helmer with some lower paid dullard…Then…

It’s ON Poot Warts…Let’s Play! 

This was how we left it, so they could get a good shot of it Monday morning.

Click below for an article written by Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post about Tom which mentions the Rally.

I’m “D” The Ranter and I’ll be listening to a lot of radio broadcasts in the future and we’ll be posting a list of Poot Warts sponsors so you can be sure to avoid them.

Or you can call Jamie McIntosh in Advertising at Poop Warts(720-898-2700) and let her know exactly why you’ll be avoiding their sponsors.

 They absolutely love supportive phone calls like that.

You meet a lot of people in life.  Most leave no impression but every now and then you meet someone who leave a lasting impression. For me that was Tom Helmer.

I can’t say exactly when I first met Tom but my first really good memory of meeting him was at the Top of the Rockies show towards the end of 2010. When I wrote the blog entry about the show I mentioned how cool I thought it would be interview one of the ROOT SPORTS (FSN Rocky Mtn back then) folks.

Not long after Tom emailed me and told me he enjoyed reading the Rant and said he’d be happy to let me interview him. That blew me away and I was stoked because I figured Tom would be a smooth first interview for me because he’s so laid back.

Tom kept his word and on a cold snowy day in January the Rantics and I met Tom and his wife at Champps. The Rantics all hung out and Alanna X and I interviewed Tom.

 He was easy to talk and the two of them were a total class act.

After that Tom was an official “Rantic” and he solidified his place in the Rant as a stand-up guy.

Five years I’ve been blogging about the Rockies and Tom was the first one in Colorado Media to give me any props at all, thank you Tom.

Helmer ”IS” the Rockies pre and post game.

Plus his “Tom on the Town” series is always fun to watch.

The kids and I won’t be  celebrating any Rockies wins post-game at the ROOT SPORTS desk this season, the only reason we’ll be there is to shout “Bring back Helmer” and you better believe the Rantics will be there in full force.

 Helmer was the best for getting the crowd going after a Rockies win and anyone else trying to do that post-game would seem cheap and insulting to Rockies fans who respect Helmer.

I can tell you that I was extremely pro ROOT SPORTS at the beginning of last season. I bought in and plugged their new theme …”The Fan”.

Ok ROOT SPORTS time to put your money where you mouth is. “The Fans” you reference want Tom Helmer back…NOW!. He’s the heart and soul of your broadcast team and Rockies fans WILL suffer in his absence.

ROOT SPORTS you have totally misjudged the impact Helmer has on the Rockies fan base.

I’m not sure What direction ROOT SPORTS is headed but if it doesn’t include Tom Helmer I don’t need a map to tell you they’re going the wrong way.

Helmer was so cool he even had his own T-Shirts made and distributed them to fans for a good part of last season. Me being the original homeboy I got the first one.

I have nothing against the rest of the crew at ROOT SPORTS I like them, but none of them have close to the personality and charisma that Helmer has. Plus who the hell wants to see the Cowboy up on the desk after a Rockies win. Not me, that’s just scary.

Here’s Tom on 850 KOA talking about the whole thing  on 2-9-12

Stand up Rockies fans, help our “Homeboy”. Do the right thing and let ROOT SPORTS know how you feel about this mess.

Here’s a link to their Facebook page: ROOT SPORTS..Rocky Mountain

Or you can email directly by clicking here: ROOT SPORTS Rocky Mountain email.

Please show your support for Tom by Liking the Facebook page Dan Created: Bring Helmer Back NOW

And Don’t miss the Save Helmer Fan Rally on Sunday at 2pm at the Blake Street Tavern. Then we march to Coors Field is support of “The Homeboy”.

I’m “D” The Ranter and ROOT SPORTS seems more like BOOT SPORTS to me right now.

As I’m writing this it’s 20 degrees outside and there’s about two feet of the white stuff covering everything.

I’m not a huge fan of winter.

You ask “D why do you live in the mountains if you don’t care for winter?”

That’s easy, there’s no better place to live in the spring, summer and fall.

It’s Superbowl Sunday and I’m writing about baseball because I’m thinking about my upcoming road trip to the Phoenix area.

Spring Training, if you’re a baseball lover and you’ve never attended it’s on your bucket list.

If you’ve had a taste of spring training and you live in a cold weather state, it becomes a ritual.

Point and case…Me

My first Spring Training trip was the season after the Rockies World Series run and I did it because I needed more. My first blog entry on the Rant back in March of 2008 was about my first Spring Training trip. It’s called:

Out of the Storm…The Ranter is Born.

My blog entries were a lot simpler back then

Spring Training 2009

That quick three-day trip in 2008 was a tease and for Spring Training 2009 my buddy Andy(known as Andy from Spring Training) planned a ten-day trip in a 30 ft RV dubbed “The Mobile Blogging Unit”

Here’s the first blog entry from that trip:

Fun in the Sun as I watch game Game One.

Next:

Early Morning Meet and Greet was Neat

Next:

Waiting for Game Four So I can Blog at you Some More

This next blog entry was inspired by a brief encounter with Vinny Castilla. I’ve since forgiven Vinny and even named my VW bus after the guy.

Here’s the Skinny on Vinny

Next:

Snagg’n Behind Enemy Lines for the First Time 

Andy from Spring Training

 Next:

TEP is Not the Place for Me

Finally

Saying Goodbye to “Hi” 

 I could have stayed another couple of weeks but both of us had jobs that needed us and a guy can only play for so long. This trip kicked ass and now that I think back ten days was the perfect amount of time. 

2010 Spring training

Spring Training this year consisted of two games. I didn’t have the vacation time saved up to do a Tucson trip this season. Lucky for us the Rockies played two Spring Training games in Albuquerque at the Isotopes Stadium and the wife and I were able to attend those games.

I called the entry for Game One against the Mariners:

We Left Our Mark at Isotopes Park

Game Two was even better, I called that entry:

 Don’t Mind if I Do…I Think I’ll Take Two 

Alan Shuster from MyGameBalls.com wrote an article about the Brad Eldred and Jason Giambi homers I snagged from the batters eye at the end of the game at Isotopes park.

 Rockpile Ranter Grabs Two Home Run Balls

So even though Spring Training 2010 was only two games, I made it and it was a blast.

Spring Training 2011

From the moment I heard that  the Rockies and D-Backs were getting a new Spring Training facility I knew I had to be the first fan inside the joint on opening day. Opportunities like that are few and far between and I wanted to be able to tell folks for years to come that I opened that stadium.

 The family and I were in supposed to be in Arizona visiting my parents about the same time as the inaugural game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick so pulling this off consisted of good timing and some serious back and forth driving between Yuma and Phoenix on my part.

Here’s the kids and I in the back fields of Salt River Fields at Talking Stick a few days before the inaugural game snagg’n baseballs.

I called that first entry of that trip:

Yeah the Sun’s Fun…Bring on Game One

I called the second entry:

A Geezer and a Canadian Open the New Stadium 

The final entry of the trip:

I Ended Up With One…But Damn It Was Fun

Spring Training 2012 will be ten days and I’ll be hang’n with the Rox Addict who kinda sees things like I do.

There’s a lot of new faces within the Rockies organization and there’s no better way to gauge a new player than to see how he acts/interacts during Spring Training. It’s where new players meet old players and friendships begin to form.

 The plan is to visit to every stadium/facility in the Cactus League detailing all of it as we go. Who knows what kind of trouble we’ll get into down there?

I’m “D” The Ranter and I love my mountains but I prefer the dugout to digg’n out… “D”

CLIPPERS VS NUGGETS

 Two Nuggets games in three days. This game I was helping (he did all the work), my buddy “B” set up the equipment for the Stats Team.

I usually do this a couple of times a season because it’s fun and I get crazy cool pictures.We show up a couple of hours before the game starts, roll out all of the computer equipment onto the floor and set up.

Once that’s good to go we eat dinner with the media folk then I wander the Pepsi Center doing what I do.

Picture by Joy

Here are a few pre-game pictures I took when I was on the floor.

Rocky doing his thing.

Start of the game.

 Chauncey Billups was back home in Denver this evening. Chauncey received a standing ovation from the fans when the Clippers were introduced.

Then Chauncey proceeded to personally kick the Nuggets collective ass.

I still think the Nuggets played well against the Clippers. Chauncey was on a mission to end the Clippers 4 game losing streak on the road, and he had family at the Pepsi Center so he was putt’n on a show for them.

A 32 point show.

Quote from Chauncey: “It’s just always good to play in front of your family and it’s always good to compete against friends.”

Nene had 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Here’s Chris Paul and Andre Miller after they bumped heads.

Both were fine. Despite the collision Miller had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Guess who was here tonight attending his first Nuggets game?

That’s right, Tim signed a football and Rocky the Nuggets mascot ran around with it eventually kicking it to a lucky fan in the crowd.

Before the end of the half I was hanging around by the tunnel that the Nuggets use to enter onto the floor. I looked over to my left and who was standing there? Tim Tebow and a couple of other people. I immediately think about getting his autograph then I realize I have no pen and nothing for Tim to sign. So I positioned myself by a corner, took a few pictures and waited for Tim to walk by.

As they started to head my way Tim looked right at me and initiated a handshake. I shook his hand then mentioned that I was a first year Broncos season ticket holder and I thanked him for a great season. He thanked me and they continued on.

I can tell you I didn’t see that coming when I woke up this morning. I normally don’t get starstruck but I was.

He’s a cool dude.

Griffin is a monster. He had 17 points and 13 rebounds.

With seconds left Chauncey crowded Nene’ and drew a bogus offensive foul. That gave Chris Paul two foul shots and he nailed them both putting the Clippers up by 4 solidifying this Nuggets loss.

Final Score:  Clippers 109   Nuggets 105

Coach Karl during his post-game interview.

Here’s 7ft Kosta Koufos signing a ticket I picked up in Club Level.

I then found myself standing next to Nene’.  He then turned and looked at me, smiled, shook my hand and then autographed my Media pass.

Nene’ is always great about meeting fans backstage and signing for them.

Best dressed of the game.

I’m “D” The Ranter and there was no way I was missing my opportunity to “D”-Bow.

Thanks “B”

RAPTORS VS NUGGETS

This was my first Nuggets game of the season and I couldn’t have picked a better time to see them play. The Nuggets return to Denver fresh off of a five game road trip in which they won all five. The first time in history the Nuggets have ever done that.

Plus I got to hear the Canadian National Anthem and I knew all the words.

For this game I sat behind the basket in Section 136. Not the best seats for taking pictures but the tickets were extremely cheap

Strength and Conditioning Coach Steve Hess’s hair finally out grew him. Now he’s sport’n a mohawk?

Before

After

Raptors were dragg’n ass the first quarter. You could tell they were really missing their leading scorer Andrea Bargnani.

Rudy Fernandez was the man tonight with a season high 23 points.

Danilo Gallinari had 13 points in the game.

Arron Afflalo was back after missing two games but was shutout.

Andre Miller had 13 points and 12 assists and 6 rebounds.

Timofey Mozgov.

Cory Brewer.

Not sure what’s going on here? Sorry buddy those ain’t basketballs.

Even George Karl managed to get himself a technical foul tonight.

Former Denver Nugget Linus Kleiza got into a bit of a tiff with Harrington near the end of the game. It looked like Harrington got pissed when Kleiza put his hand in his face while under the basket. Some pleasantries were exchanged, Kleiza pushed Harrington. Both dudes received technicals and both kept talking smack after they returned to their bench. 

Good stuff!

Kleiza scored two points and was 1 for 7 for the night.

Toronto tried to make a fourth quarter comeback and got within 6 points but the Nuggets defense stepped up and the game ended with a final score of…

DENVER 96 the RAPTORS 81

You didn’t think you leave here with out a cheerleader pic did you?

Best shot of the game other than Andre Miller’s shot at halfcourt to beat the half-time buzzer..WOW!!

 I’m “D” The Ranter… Whaddaya know…That’s six in a row.

It’s almost that time of the year again.

That day towards the end of January where hardcore Rockies fans get to walk around the innards of Coors Field like they bought and paid for the place. In years past tickets to this event were cherished and have been difficult to obtain. I mean seriously how often does the average Joe get the opportunity to poke his head inside the humidor or meander through the Rockies locker room and see how messy the Deuce’s locker is?

My thing is I like to covertly toss my Ranter cards into the players lockers . No players have ever contacted me from that move,  but it’s fun and kind of a ritual now for me.

Is this your first time going? Check out the previous Rockies Fests.

Here’s last years 2011 Rockies Fest blog entry…. Rockies Fest 3

Heres the 2010 Rockies Fest blog entry…. Rockies Fest 2

And I was at the first one too but WordPress lost that blog entry for me.

Anyways, the Rockies have broadened what Rockies Fest is this year. For the past three years Rockies Fest was a season ticket holder only event.  This year being what the Rockies call “The Year of the Fan” the powers who be added an extra day to the event and now non-season ticket holders can enjoy the experience for only…

Here I am blessing Coors Field in 2011

Here I am Blessing Coors Field in 2010

I’ve decided not to Bless Coors Field this year.

I’m not mad or anything it’s just that it hasn’t worked. I will however be Tebowing from that exact spot. You ask why? Well I Tebowed in a bottle suit in the north end zone at Mile High Stadium and the Broncos advanced to the playoffs.

I figure it can’t hurt right?

I’m “D” The Ranter and I’d like to welcome Jamie Moyer and thank him for making a middle aged guy feel young

See you at Rockies Fest on Saturday…“D”

It’s one thing to admire someone’s artwork. What takes that to a new level is when that person admires your work and they take it and they add their own touch to it.

Here’s a picture I recently took at the Steelers vs Broncos game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Here’s that same picture after Kyle Banister got ahold of it

Thanks Kyle, I’m honored and I think you did a fantastic job. If you’d like to see what’s next on Kyle’s drawing board  become his friend on FACEBOOK. He’s working on a Giambi piece next

Kyle Banister Baseball Art

I’m ”D” The Ranter and this is some cool stuff…”D”

STEELERS VS BRONCOS…THE REMATCH

This entry took a while to create because I had too many pictures to choose from. I finally decided since I couldn’t go see the Broncos take on the Patriots in person, I’d wait until after I knew who won the game to post this entry. Sorry to tease you.

As did most Broncos fans I went through a mixed range of emotions this past week. I was extremely excited that the Broncos made the playoffs but I wasn’t sure I felt they deserved to be there. Eventually as the week wore on I became comfortable with it

Krista and I had originally planned to sell our tickets and watch this one from home. However Coach John Fox called for all Broncos fans to not sell their tickets to avoid a Steeler takeover of Mile High like there was in 2006. Which is why we kind of didn’t want to attend in the first place.

Coach Fox asked nice and we knew we wouldn’t miss this game.

Besides, I was lucky enough to purchase two more tickets the day they went on sale in the south stands and Mike the Rox Addict was our guest this game.

For me this football game was about sweet justice/revenge. I was at the Steelers/Broncos game in 2006 when the Steelers embarrassed the Broncos and I hate that memory.

However, when your team is  in the playoffs and you didn’t expect to be there, it’s all just gravy baby.

After the Broncos loss the previous week the media let loose on Tebow. They were waiting like hungry hawks for that opportunity to slam Tebow. The sound of every Sportscaster in America chanting “I told you so” echoing across the radio and television was enough to make me want to hurl.

I wanted see Tebow to shove a big win down their tiny microphones.

Here are a few pre-game pictures.

Steelers taking the field..Boo!

The Coin Flip. Broncos win and elect to kick.

Cartman getting the crowd ready.

First kick of the game.

The ball bouncing off the uprights after Prater’s monster kick.

Double choke.

Champ Baily proving you’re never to old to fly.

The taking down of Big Ben.

This is the Tebow Touchdown series.

Yeah!

Steelers Touchdown.

Steelers Field Goal.

Eddie doing his thing series.

The Decker injury series.

Broncos Field Goal

The dude who sits beside us…The Broncnator

I’ve never seen Mile High this amped before. The 12th Man was a major factor in this game every time the Steelers touched the football.

I was in a perfect position to take a picture of the winning touchdown. Here’s Thomas running in the game winner but as you can see it’s all blurry. That’s because Bronco Nation had Mile High stadium shaking so violently that my camera couldn’t compensate.

That’s never happened before.

“In your face Pittsburg”, and the best thing was nobody believed the Broncos could do it except Bronco Nation. The same Bronco Nation that was going  absolutely nuts as Thomas rapidly approached the end zone ball in hand. The wife and I were hugging and high-fiving strangers we’d never even met.

That’s a memory and feeling I’ll never forget.

My first year as a Broncos season ticket holder was incredible. So many highs and lows. My wife and I tailgated every game and cheered our hearts out no matter how the Broncos were doing. If you look closely on TV during any Broncos field goal or extra point kicked, In the first row up on the fifth level just above the handicapped row you can usually see the both of us standing up cheering. I’m usually snapping pictures.

From the demise of Kyle Orton to the Rise of Tim Tebow. This season had everything because I expected nothing.

I know Tebow needs work. The Broncos as a whole need work. I’m hoping  that Coach Fox has the resources,  knowledge and the testicular fortitude to make some wise choices come next season. Props to Coach Fox for his ability to think outside the box this season, I respect him for that.

 It can’t be a bad thing John Elway taking  the young Tebow under his wing this off-season and passing on those golden nuggets of wisdom tucked away inside his legendary head right? Only time will tell on that one.

This concludes the 2011 Denver Broncos Football Season on the Rockpile Rant and I must tell you I really, really(yes two reallys), enjoyed taking pictures of  football for the first time.

What’s next you ask?…Well it’s Rockies Fest this Saturday January 21st. I know a whole bunch of Rantics are going to be there and I’m really looking forward to hang’n with everyone. I miss baseball and my friends Yo!

I’m ”D” The Ranter and remember you can do what I do, but then I’ll just come back and do it better.

 So sit back and just leave it to me   …”D”

Chiefs vs Broncos (1/1/2012)

The Ranter family was highly anticipating this game for several reasons. Firstly this game featured  the first ever match-up between Denver’s former Quarterback Kyle Orton and Denver’s new Quarterback Tim Tebow.

The Broncos were just one win away from winning the AFC West and Kyle Orton was on a mission to destroy Denver’s playoff chances, shove a win down Denver fan’s throats,  and put on a solid performance as teams that could need a Quarterback next season will be watching his performance closely. 

The other reason we were excited was I had recently won a contest sponsored by Bud Light. I won the chance to wear a Bud Light bottle suit and race two other bottles on the field during halftime at this particular game.

In addition Bud light and the Broncos awarded me two tickets to the game and a parking pass. We decided it would be fun to take Mylee and Hunter so they could see their dad dressed up like a beer bottle at halftime. I was stoked and very much looking forward to being able to stand on the Broncos field for the first time. More on this whole experience further into this blog entry…

Here are the kids pre-game. This was their first official Broncos tailgating experience, they’re quick learners.

The weather was decent for tailgating  and we spent some time chatting with Andy from Spring training and Hunter and I tossed around the football.

 Hunter managed to tell off some KC fans in his own special way.

 The Mile High skydivers were in full effect. I wish I could show you all of these photos, they’re really cool.

The big flag.

The coin toss. The coin is in the air next to the cameraman’s shoulder.

A couple of shots of Tebow coming out of the Broncos tunnel.

Here are some game pictures I took in no particular order.

About halfway through the second quarter the folks who were doing the Bud Light race arrived at my seat to take me down to field level. When I arrived at the end of the tunnel field level there were six minutes left before halftime. I was allowed to watch the game from that spot until two minutes were left then it was time to  get my bottle suit on. I was given the Bud Light Lime bottle (I had no choice), and about a 30 lb backpack to strap on my back to keep the bottle pumped up.

Then the other bottles and I returned back to the tunnel and waited anxiously for halftime. I’m the white and green bottle.

I had a lot of friends at this game and as competitive as I am I had to win this thing. I had spent several days pondering exactly what I’d do if I won.

In the end I decided I absolutely had to spike the ball and do a “Tebow” while in the bottle suit.

Me standing around enjoying the moment.

Here’s what the race consisted of. We were supposed to run to the 10 yard line drop and do 5 push ups. Then run through the cones and across a ladder. Next I had to catch a football and haul ass back to the start line.

Simple enough right?

Well the announcer Roach said “On you mark, get set” then he pause a few extra seconds and in that time I stepped forward then to be fair I stepped back. As I was stepping back Roach said “Go”.

I was behind from the very start.

I stopped exactly on the 10 yard line to do my push ups but the other bottles kept going.

 As I started to push up I stopped to look up and see why the other bottles kept going.

Then I saw them finally drop and I knocked out my push ups.

I managed to gain some ground in the cones even though Bud Light Wheat (the orange bottle), skipped two of them.

By the time I hit the ladders I had a small lead.

Then the dude tossed me the football and I dropped it.

At that point I was like “Shit”, and I scrambled to find the football. It only took me a few seconds to find the ball but it’s not easy bending over in a bottle suit.

Once I regained possession of the ball the race was back on but I was dead last again.

I was gaining ground fast.

 The fear of losing was taking over my old body and I reached deep inside for that last burst of energy.

I managed to catch Bud Light Wheat and it was a photo finish. In the end I was announced the winner(remember the  Bud Light Wheat bottle skipped two cones)..

I was a bit winded but I scored a win  for my kids and my fans.

And if you’re wondering if I pulled of my T-Bud?(Thanks Todd)…You Betcha!

This is the video Krista shot of the whole thing.

Here’s what I won. A Broncos shirt, a Broncos pin, some stickers, a Bud Light hat, a Broncos magazine, a koozie, and the last thing in the bag was an envelope. The envelope contained a piece of paper that said I could choose an Authentic jersey of my choice.

Thank you for this opportunity Bud Light. That my friends is how you start out a New Year.

Chiefs beat the Broncos in the final game of the regular season and I still have no issues with losing Kyle Orton. His performance was Ho-Hum kinda dull, just like him.

If Orton’s plan was to send Denver fans a message,  he didn’t. Props to the Denver Defense for keeping us in this game.

 Broncos Coach John Fox has specifically asked Denver Season Ticket holders not to sell their tickets. This is because way back in 2006 (the last time the Broncos made the playoffs), Mile High Stadium was filled with more Steelers fans than Broncos fans and it was straight up embarrassing.

I’m ”D” The Ranter and I’m still on the Tebow wagon, but I feel like my ass is dragg’n. The rest of America can go ahead and tell Tebow he can’t win a Superbowl.

Not me, I’ve recently seen life from inside the bottle and I believe…”D”

GO BRONCOS!!!  

DEVILS VS AVALANCHE

I received an emergency text from my buddy “B”. He informed me that the Colorado Avalanche have been having some difficulties winning games at home and he had an extra ticket for tonight’s game.

The Avalanche needed my help.

 When that’s the case and a free ticket is available, I’m willing to lend my services.

I’m all about winning at home.

It’s been way too long since I’ve attended a hockey game. Growing up in Canada watching hockey was a regular thing and it’s sad to say that’s one of the things I’ve let slip. The main reason being for the cost of one hockey game I can see a whole bunch of Rockies games.

Props to my buddy “B” for hooking me up with 1^st level tickets.

This was my first time ever photographing professional hockey and it’s a hell of a lot harder than baseball I can tell you that. It’s not easy to follow the puck with a camera and at times I found myself waiting for the puck to find it’s way into my viewfinder.

Remember back in the day when Fox had the glowing puck that would leave a streamer? I always thought that was cool.

I believe it was called Fox Trax

Hockey is so fast paced you don’t have time to get bored. Best part is there’s enough time between periods to actually grab some food or buy a souvenir and get back to your seat before you miss anything.

This game started off with a bang as the Avalanche scored three goals in the first period. That’s the second time this season the Avs have done that. That’s what I’m talking about.

Here’s the first goal scored by Milan Hejduk . O’Reilly and Landeskog got the assist.

I could see my presence was making a difference. Being a Super Fan of several sports I give off a lot of “Karmic Goodness”. Since this was my first Avalanche game in several years the Avalanche were basking in it.

I posted the picture below in my Facebook, if you look to the right of these two dudes you can see Dexter Fowler front row all smiles.

That’s cool, Ryan Wilson(below) and I were all smiles  too. This game was exciting.

This is 20-year-old Matt Duchene.

Jan Hedja from Prague, CZE.

Protecting the goal.

Team Captain Milan Hejduk.

 Ryan Wilson, this dude is fun to watch.

Goalie Semyon Varlamov from Samara Russia.

Kyle Quincey

Daniel Winnik

Shane O’Brien

Rookie Gabriel Landeskog in full resolution.

Here’s another of Gabriel.

One more..I recently acquired Gabriel’s autograph so I’ll be watching this kid.

The Devils only goal.

This is the kind of  game you want to attend.. This was the Avalanche’s highest scoring home game this season.

Final Score 6-1, Avalanche with a huge win over one of the NHL’s stud goalies.

Say what you want but I know my presence helped.

I’m “D” The Ranter…Avalanche I’m available if you need me…”D”