To Superstitious Fans, Wardrobe Is Everything

Mission Viejo’s Bill Grace was in line for Friday’s Mighty Ducks playoff game against Phoenix. And despite Duck Coach Ron Wilson’s request that the home fans wear white as a show of support, Grace wore black.

Again.

Yes, he knew that Wilson had referred to those who didn’t wear white at Wednesday’s Game 1 as “slackers.” But that didn’t bother Grace. He figured he was doing Wilson a favor.

The black Ducks practice jersey Grace has been wearing--a Christmas gift from his mother, Gini--was on his back the last 14 home games during the regular season. And two home games before that. And the team’s first playoff game. And the bottom line is that when Grace wears the black jersey, the Ducks are 13-0-4.

“Athletes are superstitious, and I thought it was more important to wear this jersey than to wear white,” Grace said, standing alongside his wife, Natalie, who was wearing a purple road jersey. “I wrote a letter to him and sent it out Wednesday. It says, ‘I’m sorry I’m not wearing white, but I’m wearing my lucky jersey.’

“If he knew the story, I think he would agree with me. We haven’t lost with what we’re wearing, and there’s no reason to change.”

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If Chris Hahn, 13, from Mission Viejo isn’t the biggest Ducks fan around, his mom wants to know who is.

Chris was decked out in his typical Ducks regalia--cap, jersey, pins, duck call--and a little something extra.

Purple and teal bands on his braces.

Hahn had them put on during a dentist appointment Thursday.

Hahn and his mother, Robin, and one of Chris’ seventh-grade classmates from Los Alisos Intermediate School in Mission Viejo, Matt Harrison, were at the game in all their glory. With a great story to tell.

Chris was the third person selected in the lottery to receive playoff tickets. But in order to make the purchase, he had to have cash. And he had to make the purchase because it was his number, not his father’s, who accompanied him.

“Dad went to the ATM and gave me $300 because they wouldn’t take a credit card from a kid,” he said.

Harrison, Hahn’s friend, was wearing a purple Ducks jacket.

“I was wearing a white T-shirt, but I forgot my jacket,” he said, “and I had to wear a jacket. So I’m wearing Chris’ jacket.

“Yeah, I’m a slacker.”

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The buzz in the elevators before the game was the Fowl Towels distributed upon entry. The free towels were noticeably better than those handed out Wednesday.

“I guess as you win more games,” said Linda Hearn of Anaheim Hills, “the towels get plusher.”

Said another person in the crowded elevator: “They’ll be silk for the finals.”

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Maciej Krauze, 25, an engineering and production management major at Loyola Marymount, has been in the U.S. for nine months and returns to his native Poland in June.

Last week, he saw his first NBA game. He showed up Friday without a ticket, but had $70 to spend on a ticket. He was so excited, he handed a parking lot attendant a $20 bill and nearly drove off without the change.

The reason for his excitement was obvious: “This could be my last possibility to see the NHL.”

He wasn’t wearing white.