My love affair with hockey began in 1979 when a friend gave me tickets to an Islander Ranger home game. The Islanders were full of young and exuberant players. Eddie Wesfhal was the team captain; Denis and Jean Potvin, Bryan Trottier were already on the team. The ticket stub entitled the bearer to a free bowl of chili at Wendy's. When the Isles were up 2 goals over the Rangers, the pa system announced that if the Isles scored again, Wendy's would give double chili to the ticket bearer. The Isles scored and the crowd cheered "Double Chili!" The rivalry heated up even more as the game progressed. After the Isles scored 2 more goals, another pa announcement was made - one more goal and Wendy's would recognize the stub for triple chili!
I was hooked! The next year, we purchased season tickets and I was at the game in 1980, when the Islanders won their first Stanley Cup.
Hockey is still my favorite sport! It heats me up on cold winter nights ;-)