Analysis Help Requested

Hondoham, I was thinking about that, but I was being stubborn with trying to have an extra pawn attack his king (think that makes sense).
Tonydal, I guess I didn't think enough moves ahead. I kind of figured that since I would be a knight down and given he was a 1900+ player, I would lose. Next time, I should analyze a little further.
The hanging peiece: Things like that justify my low rating I guess. Now that you mentioned it, it seems apparent, but I just didn't see it in the game.

Since I always get great help when I post games here, here is another I would like some help on. I had a feeling that I had a real chance to win this game (maybe just wishfull thinking on my part), but I must have not taken advantage of whatever opportunity I did have. My opponent mention that I had a good chance as well (I am unsure if he was being nice or truthfull).
I have read on here that when you and your opponent castle on opposite sides, it is a matter of who can get to the king first. So, that was my strategy was to try to attack with my pawns. Is that a sound strategy?