Thoughts from Game 3 and 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Downtown Los Angeles

Game 3: In Staples Center, Score: 4-0

It was a curse and blessing to receive a free ticket to Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Staples Center on Monday night. A blessing because I could not afford tickets on my own. A curse because I feared being responsible for a loss due to my history with the Kings. I was at Staples Center for the Kings only two playoff losses.

Although I believe I am a logical person who is not prone to belief in the supernatural, I seriously considered not attending Game 3.  If I were present for the Kings' third playoff loss, I could not live with the guilt of somehow being partially responsible.  I could not bare the thought of letting down the die-hard fan who purchased the ticket for me on all three occasions.  Luckily, my friend convinced me otherwise. Then, he told me not to bring it up again, ever.  Thank goodness Game 3 was the opposite of a loss. It was an amazing experience to be present for an absolutely electric win in Staples Center.

Game 4: In JW Marriott Lobby, Score: 1-3

Living and working in Downtown, I could not miss the opportunity to be a part of history when the Kings would win the Stanley Cup in Los Angeles on Wednesday.  Leaving work early, I powerwalked to L.A. Live.  On the way, I furiously texted my friends who arrived to the area before me.  I hoped to grab one of their seats.  By 3:30 p.m., two of my friends had given up and headed to Manhattan Beach to watch the game.  By 4:00 p.m., all the bars in L.A. Live were at capacity. The beer garden was to be closed by 5:00 p.m. and the game was not going to be shown outside.

I had key seating directly in front of the two televisions.

With this new information, my plans to watch the Kings quickly deteriorated.  I panicked and tried to think of the closest sports bar that would not be packed at the eleventh hour.  After a few seconds, I had a brilliant idea - the JW Marriott! It was the best place to wait in line for a sports bar.  The line was short, it was air conditioned, I could drink in line, and the pregame was on the lobby televisions. Approximately after a half an hour of waiting, the bouncer announced the bar was at capacity and no one would be let in for the game.

I made a bee-line to the couches closest to the two largest televisions in the lobby. There were several men on the couch I wanted, who were doing E3 business.  I was not going to lose this opportunity.  I negotiated the best spot on the couch while educating a Brit on hockey and the Stanley Cup.  Once they left, several individuals jumped on their spots. Literally, jumped over the back of the couch.  Luckily, they kindly agreed to leave one spot for my friend.  What could have been a miserable situation, turned out to be amazing. I had the perfect seat with full bar and wine service and was surrounded by plenty of enthusiastic Kings fans.

Just before five, one of my friends called to ask me I had to let him in.  Confused, I asked "wait, I have to let you in the hotel lobby? Can't you just walk in? I mean its a lobby." I quickly learned the lobby was at capacity.  Luckily, my presence in the lobby was enough to let in one of my friends and about ten seconds later let in five more of my friends, just before the lobby was officially closed off  from everyone except hotel employees. Victory was mine! Sadly, it was not for the Kings.

They will get it done on Saturday. Too bad it will not be in Los Angeles.