GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Coyotes sweater was one of a kind, emblazoned with No. 103 and the word "Gram" stenciled across the back.
The sweater had everything in common with the diminutive lady wearing it proudly. Marion Clark of Chandler is a one-of-a-kind Coyotes fan who celebrated her 103rd birthday on Thursday in the FOX Sports Arizona suite at Gila River Arena, watching the Coyotes do battle with the Minnesota Wild.
That the Coyotes suffered their first loss of the season, 4-3, did little to dampen the spirits of Gram, who gamely stayed up well beyond her usual bedtime -- with the help of an afternoon nap -- to enjoy the special day along with multiple generations of family, Howler and several thousand new admirers.
Clark is a lifelong hockey fan who switched her allegiance from the Hartford Whalers to the Coyotes after moving to Arizona.
Her daughter, Judith Flynn, said her mother was eagerly counting the days to the birthday celebration and never hesitated when the opportunity presented itself.
"She just couldn't wait for the day to get here," Judith said.
Marion didn't divulge any secrets for her long, prosperous life, but it goes without saying that you're as young as you feel. And on Thursday night, she was feeling all of 14.7 years young-- in Desert Dawg years.
Howler's got a new girlfriend.
A one-of-a-kind.
It wouldn't be a birthday party without one of these.
