Yellow Grass has gone Cup crazy as native Peter Schaefer is playing for the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup finals, which started on Monday evening.

"We are very proud of his accomplishment, because there are a lot of great hockey players who never had the opportunity in their career to play for the Stanley Cup," said Peter's father Peter Sr.

Driving through Yellow Grass right now, it is hard to not find an Ottawa Senators flag blowing in the wind or a sign wishing Peter good luck.

"I go out for a walk every morning, which I have been doing for many years," said Peter's mother Tracy. "I have been coming home very emotional, almost in tears, over all of the signs of support."

Tracy and Peter Sr. wish their son could see what the community has done for him and they are taking lots of pictures for him. They want to keep him a little bit detached from the excitement back home, though, so Peter can focus at the task at hand, winning his first Stanley Cup.

Peter's parents will be leaving for Ottawa on Friday to catch games three and four. Also attending will be Peter's brother Nolan and sister Falin. Nolan is currently a goaltender in the American Hockey League and his playing rights are with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL. Falin is a very successful volleyball player as a member of the Canadian National Team. Tracy and her mother Joanne Hennie will be staying until the end of the series.

"They will be staying until the whole show is over," Peter Sr. said.

There will also be many other friends and relatives in attendance for games three and four in Ottawa

Peter Schaefer Sr. had the opportunity to talk to his son in Anaheim early on Monday morning. Peter Sr. said his son didn't sound nervous and was busy trying to adjust to the time change before the first game.

"He sounds really loose, like he is ready to go," Peter Sr. said.

Hennie has yet to talk to her grandson since he made it to the Stanley Cup, but she is looking forward to seeing him when she arrives in Ottawa this weekend. She is also overwhelmed by the support the people of Yellow Grass are giving to Peter.

"I think it is just fabulous that the signs are up throughout the town," Hennie said.

One of the loudest fans in Yellow Grass cheering for Peter is one of his former coaches when he was playing minor hockey, Richard Klatt. He knows that this is something Peter has been working for his entire life.

"It is awesome. Since he was a little kid, he has been dreaming of this," Klatt said.

Many in the community believe that the Senators have a good chance at beating their opponent, the Anaheim Ducks, to win the NHL title, including Klatt.

"It is great to see the whole community come together to see them do the best they can," he said.

Bob Grassick is one of many friends from Yellow Grass who will be traveling to Ottawa this weekend to cheer on their local hero. Grassick is a close friend of the family, spending countless hours with Peter's grandfather fishing and hunting. He knows how much the community support means to the family.

"The community has always been good at supporting Peter. When he won the 18 and under world championship it was a big deal here," Grassick said.

One of the major events taking place in Yellow Grass is a get-together the night of each game at the Yellow Grass Communiplex. Hanging along the walls are Peter's jerseys from different points in his life from minor hockey to his world junior jersey. The family also set up a memorial for Peter's grandfathers who are no longer living but are there in spirit for Peter.

Peter Schaefer has been playing in the NHL since 1998 and was acquired by the Senators in 2002. He was a third round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 1995.

During the regular season, the six-foot-one-inch 185-pound left winger played 77 games, tallying 12 goals and 34 assists for 46 points. Peter has played 16 games during this year's playoffs, scoring one goal and three assists for four points.

Peter can be seen playing for the Senators in the Stanley Cup final against the Anaheim Ducks tonight, May 30, then in games 3 and 4 on Saturday, June 2 and Monday, June 4. If necessary, games 5-7 will be played Wednesday, June 6, Saturday, June 9 and Monday, June 11. All games are televised on CBC at 6 p.m. The Ducks won game one 3-2 on Monday night.