Smooth is just one word I could use to describe the first roadtrip of the season for the BSU women’s hockey team.

We left Thursday morning from Bemidji around 7am and got to Fargo with enough time to check in and catch a plane to Detroit. For me, this was the first plane trip I had taken with a hockey team and with a suitcase full of radio broadcast equipment. The only hiccup was that my carry on was too big to put in the overhead compartment of our small plane, so they asked me to check it. I couldn’t afford to have any of it tossed around underneath, so I asked for a bit of help from the BSU staff. Thanks to Coach Sertich, Coach Farrell and our new grad assistant athletic trainer, Kassi Nordmeyer for coming to my rescue yesterday at the airport.

We flew from Fargo to Minneapolis, and I was thrilled to find out that we were on a much bigger plane for the rest of the trip. I was reminded of the horror stories Schultzie had told me about traveling with a hockey team, but having to distribute my electronics to members of staff wasn’t half as bad.

Both flights were smooth, even Biss would have been fine flying with us. The Delta staff was very nice and we didn’t have any baggage problems. I think I could get used to flying (even though I still get the jitters).

Once in Detroit, the team and staff were bussed to Olive Garden. I can’t even tell you how much this team loves breadsticks and, of course, the Andes Mints that you get when you’re done eating there. I personally could have sat there and eaten their salad all day long. The team and staff split up into different groups depending on what we all wanted to eat. I sat with the “ravioli” table. We must have been the favorite of the waitstaff there at the Olive Garden, because they gave us enough Andes Mints for an army.

Off to the City Sports Center we went after dinner. I can’t imagine skating after eating all that pasta, but they did it without a hitch. I decided to walk around the rink and check out where I would be broadcasting our games. They have two rinks and in the middle on the second level is an area where people can watch and mingle. The only bad thing is that this area is virtually soundproof from the rink part. It’s warm (which I’m happy about), but I’ll have to string an extra long microphone cord out the door to get any ambiance from the game.

I spent the time I had in  the CSC working on my hockey prep and admiring a U-17 team and their very animated coach. After talking to one of their team’s moms, I found out that this same hockey coach was also a well-respected football coach in Detroit. Turns out he has taken three football teams to nationals. He was like a drill sergeant, but with a very father-like demeanor and a little bit of humor.

It was also fun to listen in to conversations the hockey parents were having about this Bemidji team and their great coach. I had a few of them come up and ask me how to pronounce “Bemidji” and ask where we were from. It reminded me of my trip to the 2009 Frozen Four in Washington D.C., but this time I knew they weren’t going to be cheering for our team against their Wayne State Warriors this weekend.

Once the team finished skating, we headed to the Courtyard Marriott to check in to the hotel. It’s a beautiful hotel right in the heart of everything. We passed Ford Field on our way down the highway and we’re right across the street from the GM Renaissance Center.

The one thing you learn from being around a hockey team is that there can never be enough food, or as I like to call it “fuel” for the body. The ladies were hungry after skating. Our mission was to find something to eat at 9:30pm in Detroit. After finding out that Tim Horton’s was closed, we all ventured out and came upon Sweet Water Tavern. I know the name might make the parents out there wonder, but we were in good hands. Come to find out that Sweet Water Tavern is a 116 year old eating emporium that has a fabulous reputation for their barbecue. We were guided by their staff to the very back room where the team and staff put in our late night food order to go. We ordered up everything from salads, sandwiches and chicken. I happened to see a couple sitting by us who had ordered up the buffalo wings…and as late as it was, I knew better than to order those. However, I did mention to our server (Ina was her name) that my husband would be jealous that we came to a place famous for BBQ. She quickly ran to the back and came back out with a tray with a single wing for me to take with my granny smith apple pie. Unfortunately for Schultzie, I couldn’t hold back, I ate that wing and it was delicious. He’ll just have to try it himself the next time he gets to Detroit. By the way, the service at Sweet Water Tavern was amazing and the food was spectacular!

Our first day on the road was a success and sleep was the only thing on all our minds after such a busy day.