This time, rather than toting hockey sticks and equipment bags, they were clutching tickets as they took their seats at Pepsi Center, anticipating No. 37 of the Los Angeles Kings to hit the ice. In a few days they would return to the familiar section set aside for family and guests of opposing teams and get ready to cheer on No. 22 of the Calgary Flames. And hours later they would make the short drive down the I-25 interstate to the University of Denver to watch No. 27 skate for their alma mater in the NCHC playoffs.
Different teams, different numbers, different tiers of hockey.