from Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com,
REGINA, Saskatchewan -- David Gregory and Matt Ryan of NHL Central Scouting arrived in the lobby of their hotel with no time to spare.
Gregory, who had just driven 225 miles here in just under four hours from Brandon, Manitoba, approached the receptionist, provided identification, got his room key and asked, "When does the kitchen close?" She responded, "Fifteen minutes."
Gregory then turned to Ryan: "Back down in 10 minutes to get a bite?"
They met nine minutes later and were the only patrons that Sunday night. Sitting side by side on bar stools, they talked shop and discussed the travel agenda for the following day. They ordered their meals and some local refreshments, shared some laughs and war stories of scouting trips with the bartender before calling it a night.
It was 11:45 p.m.
The plan was to meet in the lobby five hours later for a flight from Regina to Seattle via Vancouver.
Light snow was falling and it was minus-4 degrees (Fahrenheit) when Gregory sent Ryan a text message at 4:45 a.m., informing him their flight to Vancouver was canceled because of heavy winds. Less than 30 minutes later, an updated itinerary was arranged consisting of a two-hour flight from Regina to Vancouver, followed by a 142-mile, three-hour drive to Seattle. Gregory arranged the flight; Ryan arranged the car rental.
There were benefits to all of this: an extra three hours' sleep and chance to call home.
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