If you have been living under a rock you might not know that the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup on Monday night. It was a very exciting time.

I would not describe myself as a rabid hockey fan. The rink where I took figure skating lessons when I was in elementary school in Los Angeles was also the Kings’ practice rink.  I enjoyed going to games when I was in high school, especially the state finals (Go Zephyrs!).

When I moved to Canada I knew it would be important to be versed in hockey. I was fortunate that I attended those games in high school and watched the occasional NCAA game (the University of Minnesota usually has a competitive team). It did not take long before I was asked who I preferred, the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Montreal Canadiens. I was (somehow) able to stay neutral in this. Nevertheless, I realized I needed to be versed in hockey. I regularly checked the scores and the rankings so I might have a clue what was happening.

I offered words of care and concern to those die-hard Leafs fans who have not won a championship since 1967. Though they are not what I might call a successful team, the Leafs have one of the most loyal base of fans in professional sports. Most of their fans will never get an opportunity to see a live game. Tickets are that hard to come by. I am truly a lucky person because I got to go to a Leafs game. It was lots of fun (though they lost). It will remain one of the many highlights of my time in Canada.

That being said I do not know if it is a coincidence, sign or portent that the Kings, a team that never won the Stanley Cup, win the year I move back to Los Angeles. I went to two Kings games this season and watched as many games as I could of the road to the final. I sat on the edge of my seat and cheered voraciously as the Kings skated victoriously.

No one can know what next season will bring. For now, Go Kings Go!