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the speed, the hits, the fights, the smoke from the jumbptron, watching it since i was little, um the announcers, the fans, the breakways, oh yeah hating Bettman lol, the noice of the siren. theres a feel in the air. And the fans are and are part of the action. it's rejuvenating. to me hockey is a way of life. Yeah my team the Sabres never won Lord Stanley's Cup, but it's still perfect. Yeah there are problems like players biting each other lol but it's great. Ive never palyed ice hockey before, but i would seriously prefer to be a fan than a player. Hockey is just a way to get a away from problems in life and its enjoyable.
The combination of skills: speed, balance, aim, reaction time, etc. Amazing.
And one good fight per game.
In a condensed nutshell, that is it, well said. Here you have guys skating on ice, but they are not ice skaters. You have guys swinging a stick, but they are not baseball players. They score by putting the object in a net, but not basketball players. They hustle back and forth down a 'field', but not playing soccer. Its a unique game, hard hitting, yet graceful, and blistering fast. At the slightest second, the puck that was once heading away from 'your' net, is now in it. The intensity, even in those (supposedly) boring 0-0 games, is unbelievable. The sweet passes, the flick of a wrist, the puck sailing at 80+ mph, the goalie flailing his arm, somehow miraculously snagging it out of the air.
At one time, was a poor working man's game, could enjoy beers in an old arena, concrete floors, echoing voices and sirens and horns through the barn, hard metal chairs that ya sat on the edge of to watch the good guys check the snot out of the visitors... but even w/ the modern facilities, fancy cushioned seats [and the much more expensive outing and beer ] the game itself is still for the most part the same - guys playing with so much more constant intensity than any other sport, looking to score and win. With the home crowd chanting and going sore throated with their encouragements, and frustrations, at times.
And through it all, we support these millionaires, watching on the 'net, telly, in person, or over radio waves... cheering as the announcer paints a mental image of the plays, you picture the good guys skating around the enemies, as they likewise are looking to steal the puck, check your offense, and immediately bring it back to your side, as you imagine the goalie being the last fluid movable wall to protect your goal from their attack. Me, my blood has ran Blue for many years... and, while I support and cheer the Cards, for me there is not another sport that comes at all to this passionate level.
In a condensed nutshell, that is it, well said. Here you have guys skating on ice, but they are not ice skaters. You have guys swinging a stick, but they are not baseball players. They score by putting the object in a net, but not basketball players. They hustle back and forth down a 'field', but not playing soccer. Its a unique game, hard hitting, yet graceful, and blistering fast. At the slightest second, the puck that was once heading away from 'your' net, is now in it. The intensity, even in those (supposedly) boring 0-0 games, is unbelievable. The sweet passes, the flick of a wrist, the puck sailing at 80+ mph, the goalie flailing his arm, somehow miraculously snagging it out of the air.
At one time, was a poor working man's game, could enjoy beers in an old arena, concrete floors, echoing voices and sirens and horns through the barn, hard metal chairs that ya sat on the edge of to watch the good guys check the snot out of the visitors... but even w/ the modern facilities, fancy cushioned seats [and the much more expensive outing and beer ] the game itself is still for the most part the same - guys playing with so much more constant intensity than any other sport, looking to score and win. With the home crowd chanting and going sore throated with their encouragements, and frustrations, at times.
And through it all, we support these millionaires, watching on the 'net, telly, in person, or over radio waves... cheering as the announcer paints a mental image of the plays, you picture the good guys skating around the enemies, as they likewise are looking to steal the puck, check your offense, and immediately bring it back to your side, as you imagine the goalie being the last fluid movable wall to protect your goal from their attack. Me, my blood has ran Blue for many years... and, while I support and cheer the Cards, for me there is not another sport that comes at all to this passionate level.
The bolded part is great. I believe that no other game depends so much upon the individual will and effort of the players.
It's the only sport I know of that I can go to a playoff game and sometimes see a whole other game if it's a tie!! My absolute favorite part of hockey though is the final game of a series. Where both teams line up and despite all the fights, hooking, tripping, etc ... they shake hands. I just think it's awesome that they can play up to 7 intense, competitve games and then have EVERY player shake hands at the end. That being said ... I wish the Vancouver Canucks would have tripped the New York Rangers in Game 7 93/94. Or at least got Ref Andy Van Hellamond with a puck! Sorry I'm still bitter. I also love Canadian / US games where they sing Oh Canada. My roots are Canada, hockey's roots are Canadian ... so I guess that's why
My first game was at the Capital Centre as a 10-year old kid with my dad back when the Caps were just a couple of years old and as we all know, they were pathetic and got blown out by the Rangers 11-4. For years afterward they struggled even with the hiring of what was then the youngest coach Gary Green, I still went because back in the late 70's-early 80's the tickets were dirt cheap (I found a ticket to a game I went to in 82 that cost $7).
For me, to see these guys go back and forth on metal blades that measure about 1/4 inch wide for 60+ minutes versus basketball players who use their entire feet for only 48+ minutes on a smaller floor is simply amazing. Hockey players are in much better shape to take that constant action, getting hit by both players and pucks, getting their teeth knocked out, noses shattered, numerous stitches only to come back and play later in the game. You never will see hockey guys standing around waiting for the final buzzer so they can go to a club and party unlike NBA guys (I can't watch them).
Everything that has been said by everyone else is spot on. While I have seen many games of all the Washington teams, I've gone to Caps games mostly by a huge margin because of the product the Caps put out every night. Whether they won in OT or got blown out, the Caps (and their opponents) would put it all on the line.
For a few years, I lived in the Raleigh area and had a friend who was a Hurricanes season ticket holder. We would go to RBC Center and watch the Canes play, the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic and I highly recommend anyone go to at least one game.
The energy in a real hockey loving city! Chicago was awesome and I'm sure Detroit will be too! It was amazing the way fans were into the entire game and the crowd noise was deafening!
I have been to a redskins- dallas NFC championship game at RFK and a 4 OT game seven at cap centre.
Hockey Game wins hands down for excitement.
Only 4 OTs? Big whoop. The Buffalo Sabres played the New Jersey Devils and went into 4 OT's too, but the NHL, is waaay lot faster than the NFL. Constantlly going back and forth for 7 periods (back then OT's in playoffs were full 20 minutes). Currently i believe thats the longest playoff game in NHL history. That went to like 4 in the morning, and the crowd was more excited after the game than before the game. That game was an excellent start to the saying by Rick Jenerett "MAY DAY MAY DAY MAY DAY" .
Personally i think memories wise, Buffalo is 1 of the best teams in the NHL.
Location: Moose Jaw, in between the Moose's butt and nose.
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Originally Posted by jazzy jeff 11
Only 4 OTs? Big whoop. The Buffalo Sabres played the New Jersey Devils and went into 4 OT's too, but the NHL, is waaay lot faster than the NFL. Constantlly going back and forth for 7 periods (back then OT's in playoffs were full 20 minutes). Currently i believe thats the longest playoff game in NHL history. That went to like 4 in the morning, and the crowd was more excited after the game than before the game. That game was an excellent start to the saying by Rick Jenerett "MAY DAY MAY DAY MAY DAY" .
Personally i think memories wise, Buffalo is 1 of the best teams in the NHL.
I don't understand. They are a full 20 minutes now, eh?
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] the game itself is still for the most part the same - guys playing with so much more constant intensity than any other sport, looking to score and win. With the home crowd chanting and going sore throated with their encouragements, and frustrations, at times.
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