For the love of the game

When I was growing up, Hockey Night in Canada was always on.  My Dad and I loved it, and we "knew" every player.  Of course, in those days there were only 6 teams.  I cheered for the Maple Leafs in those days and then this guy by the name of  Bobby Orr came along.  That did it.  I was a Boston fan from then on.
Northcott fabric has the best fabric on the market for Canadians and northern USA hockey fans.  It's "pond" hockey played by kids on the frozen waters with their dogs.  Next to road hockey, it's the best.  Nothing like skates, ice, pucks and hockey sticks.
I didn't take a photo of the panel before I started, but Northcott should never have allowed this out to the stores.  It should have been redone.  It is so crooked that no amount of tugging, pulling, pressing and doing it again would straighten it.  I had no choice but to cut it up, resash and add the borders.  For someone that hasn't been quilting long this would have been total frustation.  I spent a day -- almost -- in the sewing room.
Okay.......let's do a bit of an update here.  I was talking to the gals at the store I bought this from and they kindly sent me some photos of the panel.

If you find a panel that is out as much as this, it really won't matter what you do, you will not straighten it.  They are too many sections to this panel for them all to straighten properly at the same time.  Do not blame your quilt shop!  This is the manufacturer's fault.  Write to them, tag them on social media.  They have to be made aware that this is unacceptable.
This is the top.  It took a while to put together because there was a lot of measuring and re-cutting because some people can't cut properly some days.

These are two "photos" from the panel.  #9 was worn by Johnny Bucyk of the Bruins.  He was a left winger on the team and was tall for a player in those days.  Yup, he played with Bobby Orr.

The yardage is fantastic, but you have already seen that.  I made it up into pillows for two of the men in our family.

and the backing.  Something very different that I have never done before.  I wanted this to be reversible.

and it's done.  Hockey sticks and all

 I miscued on the backing when I loaded it.  I wanted it a bit more centred, but it will have to do.  I doubt anyone will notice...................well, I hope no one will notice it.