When Justin and I were on SportsWise the other day, someone asked what our superstitions/rituals were. Great question.
Now, my rituals are totally different but very similar to players in a way. I really don't and can't care who wins because I'm not a fan. If they win, my job is easier because they are more willing to talk. If they lose, I still have to do the job the same way with same energy, same focus, etc. Period.
Like the players, my rituals are more about getting myself in the mindset to be totally focused on what I have to do. Like the players, I want to be at my very best during the playoffs, on top of my game. I want to be prepared and hyper aware of everything going on.
At the start of each series, I begin with a new notepad and a new black pen, and then the first thing I do is chart the line matchups. I also try like crazy to chart not only who took the penalty but also who enticed the guilty party.
I also tend to eat less during the playoffs because I'm drinking more caffeine and I'm eating at various and even weirder hours than during the regular season because of travel and game times. As an example, yesterday I left where I was staying in Indianapolis at 4:30 a.m. and arrived in Rapid City at 5 p.m. and tonight I'll be up until at least 3-4 a.m. Fort Wayne time. That's hard on a body.
So, what I want to know is, and the real reason for this Alan-style posting, what are your superstitions or rituals? How do you know they work?
I'm also warning you, I may end up using them in a story later just for fun.
Comments
I have a few that I do, mostly about what to wear or how I get to my seat, but they depend on the game before. If they win, I follow the same way the next game. If they lose, I change it up alittle.
The funny part of this is my wife, and family, always made fun of me for doing anything like this, but now they also follow it. Which leads be to ask, if it is your superstition and someone else starts following it, does that effect it for you? When we went to Bloomington last year for the playoffs, we played so well in the first game that I asked my wife not to put my clothes in the dirty clothes bag and she just laughed. By the time we got dressed for the next game, everyone was even worrying if they had the right sock back on the right foot! It was kind of funny when it went from something I do myself to "help the team" it wasn't too crazy. When a group of 5-6 people are doing it, it just seems bat crap crazy!!! (But I will add we won the next game!)
During the regular season I have more 'rituals' than superstitions. I always come in the Parnell side, always come in the same door, go up the same escalator. I've got a ritual routine at the beginning of the game for Jungle and the Star Spangled Banner. I also always take the same route out. I'm in a fraternity, so ritual and repetition gives more meaning to games sometimes.
During playoffs, I grow the playoff beard and will typically do something with my hair--in solidarity with some of the guys on the team that do the same (this year it's gonna be a neon orange faux-hawk (work said no to the 'real' hawk)). But again, not really superstitous.
I guess the only two superstitions I really have are: 1) If we win a game, I wear the exact same jersey and hat to the next game; only switching when we lose 2) If we're down 3-1 in a playoff series, the beard goes. Frenchy did this many moons ago, and I did the same when we were down 3-1 to PH (both times) and it worked out. I think there was only one time the shaving didn't give us the necessary 'luck' to come-from-behind.
Looking forward to tonight's game!
This season, whenever the K's would lose at home, I would wear a different Komets jersey to the next game. (I have 10) (Yes, I'm an idiot) (No, it doesn't really affect anything)
What does this mean, this ugly reference "Alan-style posting"?
Just kidding.
Can you post the line up match ups ?
I am wearing my lucky zamboni earrings and keepingbKomets flag flying past first day of spring.
I walk by and tap the chin of the giant Nick Boucher bobblehead at each game. Does it help? No. Does it make me a little less crazy???? Perhapse the opposite.
BS.....you are a Super Fan.
It depends on how much time I have.
I like to give the opposing goaltenders the thumbs-down signal. I first started doing it at the decisive Game 5 of the Turner Cup Finals against Muskegon, but noticed it usually works when the opposing goaltender looks right at me when I give him the thumbs-down.
If, and that's a big if, I can turn on the radio I will listen until the opposing team scores. Once they do I turn it off as I am convinced I am jinxing the K's. If we are up by 2 or more goals I may leave it on. But, only if we continue to control the game.
At home games I always applaud the player introductions the same way every game. If we play poorly it is always because I failed to do so.....at least in my mind.
Oh yeah, most importantly I always wear black underwear to home games or if I travel to a road game.
Other than that I am pretty normal regarding game day activity.
Didn't we do this not to long ago?
Game day, don't drink from a Komets cup or mug. Park in the same spot or as close to it as possible. Use the left escalator, enter the arena through the same entrance. I've done this for close to 30 years even though my seat location has changed.
I carried a Looney for maybe two seasons, pitched it into the parking lot during an early playoff exit. Next season tried a Twoney. It made it less then the season, for all I know it's laying in the lot next to the Looney, pretty sure I tossed it in the same direction.