When I called Mike J, he was on the golf course.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I have a question about hockey.”
Over the last few days, I’ve had a lot of questions about hockey. What’s a power play? Is it always two minutes? Does it end if someone scores? If the goalkeeper catches the puck, but the force of it pushes him back over the goal line, does it count as a goal?
I’m pretty sure that if I were a superhero, my super power would have something to do with my ability to get really, really obsessive over really, really unimportant stuff.
Like hockey. I’m late to the game (went to my very first on Wednesday) I know, and could easily be accused of fair-weathering (Dallas is in the playoffs), but this is exactly like the time someone said, “Come on, Heather. We’re taking you to Fenway.” The hook was set, and incidentally, the Sox weren’t even having a winning season. So what I’m saying is, this was to be expected.
But here’s what I didn’t predict: hockey? Is sort of a turn-on. And by ‘sort of’ I mean ‘totally.’ Something about it is hot in the way Zidane’s oh-my-dieu sexy head butt was. Violence generally makes me pretty uncomfortable, but for some reason, when it’s on the field of play – when it’s sanctioned – it is bodice-rippingly awesome. And while this is an exciting new discovery in the wide, wide world of sports, I find myself feeling a little bit concerned. You know, about what I’m going to do with myself during the off season.
There’s plenty of room on the bandwagon….hockey needs all the new fans it can get! I’ve loved hockey since junior high and bad hair, bad playoff beards, missing teeth and all, hockey players are hot. And yes, the hits and the fights are a big part of that. I only wish I was old enough to remember the Broad Street Bullies years. But despite a bad loss to end the season today, I’m still pretty happy with the current Flyers.
Oh, yeah. Right there with you. Been a sports fan all my life, but hockey? Never cared. Because I never knew. Went to my first Carolina Hurricanes game five years ago and life hasn’t been the same since. Our Stanley Cup run a couple years back took years off my life, but added to the overall quality of same in spades.
Yay! Hockey is THE BEST, and you have PERFECTLY identified the best part of it- hot guys! Slamming into each other! Real live genuine fisticuffs! I became obsessed with the Buffalo Sabres during last year’s playoffs and I never looked back. I now write an entire blog about Sabres hockey. I went from being totally oblivious about sports, to putting my name on the season ticket waiting list all within a few months.
Here’s a great Dallas Stars blog written by my friend Patty.
Hockey has a wonderful blogosphere with a ton of female fans writing. Welcome!
I TOTALLY know what you mean. I was hooked after my first live hockey game, and now I never pass up the chance to go to more.
I hate mildy scary PG-13 movies, but somehow the violence in hockey is really exciting in a good way.
And… can I just say I love your blog?! It makes my life in a cubicle seem a little less terrible!
So are you a red sox fan?
Totally, a Sox and Pats girl.
Word. When I lived outside of D.C. back in the ’90′s I became a Capitals fanatic, mainly due to the fact that I loooooved the fighting. I developed a big crush on Chris Simon, a classic goon. My boyfriend found this hilarious because I can’t stand most violent endeavors. But hockey violence is different. It’s not like boxing where they are beating each other up for no real reason. On the ice they’re just so damn mad they can’t help themselves! And it’s awesome.
Cool! I’ve been playing hockey for 13 years now, and it’s always exciting when new fans find the game. So, yay! Oh, and I don’t know if you’ve gotten those questions answered yet, but in case you didn’t…
“What’s a power play?” It’s the advantage a team gets when the other team gets a penalty.
“Is it always two minutes?” Usually, because a minor penalty is two minutes, but if you *can* do things bad enough to end up with a five-minute major. You can also get your ass tossed out of the game sometimes, too. That would be a game misconduct.
“Does it end if someone scores?” It ends if the team on the power play scores. But if the team a man down scores, it’s just called scoring short-handed, and and it makes them more badass.
“If the goalkeeper catches the puck, but the force of it pushes him back over the goal line, does it count as a goal?” Yup.
Oh, and I hate to break it to you guys, but my Wings are gonna take it this year!
haha. I myself am more a baseball fan (Stl. Cardinals) but i tell you what. I loved going to my brother’s college hockey games and watching the guys drop gloves and go at it. It is a very exciting game. Especially when the players are hot, like Crosby (even though he’s a penguin; sorry Dallas)
I have to admit I was the same way when the Ducks won the Stanley Cup.
Btw, I think you would enjoy a piece Joel Stein wrote for the LA Times about the Ducks win and hockey. I love what he says about the game:
I’ve tried explaining the beauty of the sport to too many people, too many times. These are normal-size guys playing a contact sport while also ice skating, spinning beautiful ballet while beating the crap out of each other. Imagine how awesome “The Nutcracker” would be if they actually did what the title promised.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-stein8jun08,0,3282593.column?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
Hockey is just such an awesome combination of brute force and grace. And you wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve used that line… But it’s true, too.
If you like the combination of violence and sport (I’m with you there)you should try to discover rugby (not popular in the states I realise).
It is full of big, muscular, hot men slamming into each other and getting back up again and keeping on going. It doesn’t get much better!
I have been a huge hockey fan since I was 12 years old! I have to say though, it only applies to one particular team. Pittsburgh Penguins, if you know anything about Pittsburgh then you know that we are die hard fans of our teams. And we are on way to play for the Stanley Cup! Yay! I hold onto my dream of marrying a hockey player so I can go to every game. Jarkko Ruutu, are you reading? I am single. Anyway, got hockey questions? I’m you girl, I’m sure I can teach you pretty quick.
*grin*
I got hooked on hockey (pun intended) when I was a small child, been going to games since I was 6. Have had season tickets in the Fam since the year I was born. Despite the fact that it ranks 4th among the major sports in popularity, I do believe it’s the best of the 4 major sports. All the best apects of the other sports, fighting is allowed, and you won’t find a 300 pound fat guy in the sport. Can’t say that about any of the other three.
H, anytime you want to go to a Hockey game, come to Philly and I’ll take you.
Hockey was, for a long time, a sport that I could only enjoy when I went to see it being played. When that happened, I was completely sucked in. The last couple of seasons, it’s shifted so that I can really enjoy the game both at home and at the rink. There’s something insanely primal that makes it intoxicating. And since I’m here in Boston and a Bruins fan, it shows that I’m attracted to the game, not necessarily the chance of a home team victory!
Go Sox and Pats!
Have you noticed the flexibility of goalies?!? YOWZA! Seriously, a man in all that padding and he can still do the splits to stop a puck and then get up again unassisted? I’m all over that! Chris Osgood blows my mind. So talented, so cute…
I’ve been a hockey fan since I was a kid. Raised as a Detroit fan. Yeah they’re bashing into each other, but it’s a kind of graceful yet violent ballet. Maneuvering like they do on skates takes such talent. And they players are so passionate, that’s why they fight!
Go Detroit Red Wings!! All the way this year baby!
@Genki…I love rugby union. Played it for years. In terms of my favorite sports, it ties with hockey. Strength, speed, skill, flexibility, and a callous disregard for your physical wellbeing. It’s hockey on land. What a beautiful thing.
I am a long time hockey lover and have been known to totally kick the boy’s butts in fantasy hockey leagues.
It’s the best sport in the world. I’m also a born and raised Detroiter, we can tend to be a little hockey-crazed. And since the sport has to make a resurgence in most cities, your not really “late to the game”. Rooting for Dallas is a bad idea though
I used to live in Dallas and moved there the year the Stars won the Stanley Cup. Needless to say, I became a quick convert to the game.
I can honestly say that going to Stars games is one of the funnest things to do in Dallas. I used to tell everyone that. Eyeing the metro-sexuals, silicone appendages (ahem), and other riff-raff in the Stars Club after the games… well, that joy just goes without saying.
Hockey is by far the best sport to watch or actually be at.
However, I have to say GO PENS from where I’m sitting in the good ole state of PA in an off city location near Pittsburgh…
Idea for the off season. Roller Derby! Best sport ever!!! The Dallas area has the Dallas Derby Devils
http://www.derbydevils.com/news.php
Go watch a bout. It makes hockey look like childs play. Oh, and it’s a women’s sport!!
Or rugby.
I love hockey, too…and for those reasons. Check out lacrosse in the off season.
Fish: yessss! Hockey is a great sport and I’m excited for your new obsession!
Karie and Darla: just wanted to say that as a fellow born & bred Pittsburgh gal [who now lives and works in Philly =p] I am SUPER PUMPED!
After game three I asked a fellow ‘Burgh gal who works in my office: “Hey Kayla…wanna take some buckets outside and collect the tears of Flyers fans?”
Wooo! GO PENS!
Hockey RULES!!!!! I moved from Chicago (love my Blackhawks no matter what!) to Nashville in 99. In 98 Nashville got their hockey team (predators). Thank GOD for that because I wouldn’t have survived in this football focused town.
I go to a ton of games and you’ll be amazed at how many men love women who can get into some hockey.
Mmmm …
But seriously. I 2nd the Rugby vote. Rowr!
I’ve been a hockey fan for years and we need more females to love hockey. I had never watched a game until I met my husband and now he has me hooked. We are hockey fanatics. I cried when the Ducks won the Cup last year and keep tabs on them during the off season. One of their future Hall-of-Famers’s was at my son’s rink yesterday and I melted. Sexy!!!
Anyway, keep on watching the game. You will definitely get hooked like I did!
Ha! That’s exactly what happened to me last year with football. Now I’m obsessed and can’t wait til the season starts. I even contemplated following the draft.
BTW – Sorry I gave you the *wrong* answer to your hockey question the other night. I’m clearly more of a girl than I thought.
Sadly the Dallas Stars lost in game 6 last night. BUMMER, the end of the Dallas hockey season. It’s better in person, but I’m learning to watch it on TV since (GOOD Seats) tickets are expensive.
I too recently discovered hockey and i completely agree with you, it’s a great!. My ex-boyfriend took me to my first game and got me into the sport. If there’s one good thing i got from him, is my new found love of hockey.
Hmm, well I’m more into hockey in person rather than TV. I think what contributed to that is every so often I get free and discounted tickets to hockey games from my company, luxury box food/wine and awesome seats above the ice. The game comes alive, not like at home when I could be doing something else.
I’m a huge hockey fan. I play and love to watch the NHL. It’s a dang fun sport. The speed and aggressiveness is unmatched, in my opinion.
If you have questions, I’d be glad to answer them.
LOVE LOVE LOVE hockey!! I re-upped my season tickets for next season. It’s an amazing game. And I hear it’s a huge turn on for men to hear a woman chat up a sport that she truly has knowledge and interest in.
Sweetheart, whenever you come to Rio, call me, and I’ll take you to the soccer game. Not for the violence, but for the amazing thing that is to see 68 thousand people yelling, jumping and laughing at the same time because their team won with an unbelievable goal at the 46th minute of the second half. Believe me, there’s nothing more beautiful in this world. It’s like a tsunami of joy.