I'm trying to be a good Canadian

[rousseau]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

The game is so fast, the playing surface so small, that every game just seems like a bunch of players bouncing around and throwing the puck at the net until it coincidentally goes in. At the end of the year the team that's done the least stupid stuff, and has hired players with incrementally more skill than other teams, wins the stanley cup, and the saga goes on.

I may very well be ignorant of the game. Could someone explain the nuance to it that I'm missing?

 

[GenesisNemesis]

I'm not a Canadian but doesn't it have a lot of sentimental value because people in Canada have played it as kids and whatnot?

 

[rousseau]

I'm not a Canadian but doesn't it have a lot of sentimental value because people in Canada have played it as kids and whatnot?

It's definitely our game in the same way baseball is the US's game. Hockey is what we do. It's the same for any major sport in any country.

Whether it's much of a sport in reference to others is another thing altogether. Most Canadians would say yes, but Canadians are biased.

 

[Valjean]

Maybe curling is your game.

 

[Colonel Sanders]

There are bad Canadians? Well yeah, there was Rob Ford, but fuckin' come on.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I live near Cleveland, so right now, all the buzz is about the Lake Erie Monsters on the verge of sweeping Hersey to win the Calder Cup for the first time since the 60s, I think.

What? The NBA? The AHL has been around since 1936! Sure, a franchise in Cleveland hasn't been around for too long, but still, this is hockey history!

 

[Playball40]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

The game is so fast, the playing surface so small, that every game just seems like a bunch of players bouncing around and throwing the puck at the net until it coincidentally goes in. At the end of the year the team that's done the least stupid stuff, and has hired players with incrementally more skill than other teams, wins the stanley cup, and the saga goes on.

I may very well be ignorant of the game. Could someone explain the nuance to it that I'm missing?

Let me know when you figure it out. The only part about hockey I truly enjoy is the masterful skating. And yes, that is a sentimental thing.

 

[iolo]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

The game is so fast, the playing surface so small, that every game just seems like a bunch of players bouncing around and throwing the puck at the net until it coincidentally goes in. At the end of the year the team that's done the least stupid stuff, and has hired players with incrementally more skill than other teams, wins the stanley cup, and the saga goes on.

I may very well be ignorant of the game. Could someone explain the nuance to it that I'm missing?

You should play cricked, like proper members of the Commonwealth. NOBODY, oh God, could call that fast! Oh the boredom of the outfield!

 

[Horatio Parker]

Have you gone to a game?

I went once, with my cousin in Nebraska. Much easier to follow live than on tv.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

The game is so fast, the playing surface so small, that every game just seems like a bunch of players bouncing around and throwing the puck at the net until it coincidentally goes in. At the end of the year the team that's done the least stupid stuff, and has hired players with incrementally more skill than other teams, wins the stanley cup, and the saga goes on.

I may very well be ignorant of the game. Could someone explain the nuance to it that I'm missing?

Let me know when you figure it out. The only part about hockey I truly enjoy is the masterful skating. And yes, that is a sentimental thing.

The whole thing is a masterpiece. You have guys on skates, passing the puck, handling the puck, watching for hits, trying to hit... the whole process is incredible! No other sport comes close to the beauty of hockey. The agility and power is an incredible match.

 

[rousseau]

Have you gone to a game?

I went once, with my cousin in Nebraska. Much easier to follow live than on tv.

Yep been to many games but never NHL, and used to play when I was a kid. Tend to like live hockey better but I think it's the atmosphere and the beer.

 

[Horatio Parker]

Have you gone to a game?

I went once, with my cousin in Nebraska. Much easier to follow live than on tv.

Yep been to many games but never NHL, and used to play when I was a kid. Tend to like live hockey better but I think it's the atmosphere and the beer.

Yeah the beer was the main attraction for me. Never followed sports, but occasionally catch a game if a group is going. Could be rough without beer.

 

[Keith&Co.]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

So, whenever a game is on, pop in a copy of The Mighty Ducks. When it's over, find out the final score.

When people ask why you didn't answer the phone or attend a social event, say 'I was watching Hockey.'

 

[rousseau]

Let me know when you figure it out. The only part about hockey I truly enjoy is the masterful skating. And yes, that is a sentimental thing.

The whole thing is a masterpiece. You have guys on skates, passing the puck, handling the puck, watching for hits, trying to hit... the whole process is incredible! No other sport comes close to the beauty of hockey. The agility and power is an incredible match.

More seriously though it seems like when players get a touch in hockey they have limited options and time to react. And over-arching strategies are also limited.

Definitely takes athleticism but seems too random. Soccer is the better version of hockey: essentially the same game but slowed down and longer times to react when holding the ball. Much longer possessions too.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

The whole thing is a masterpiece. You have guys on skates, passing the puck, handling the puck, watching for hits, trying to hit... the whole process is incredible! No other sport comes close to the beauty of hockey. The agility and power is an incredible match.

More seriously though it seems like when players get a touch in hockey they have limited options and time to react. And over-arching strategies are also limited.

But they react quickly and very well. Lining up a check in open ice isn't exactly easy.

Definitely takes athleticism but seems too random. Soccer is the better version of hockey: essentially the same game but slowed down and longer times to react when holding the ball. Much longer possessions too.

Soccer is great too and I watch more of that than hockey these days due to the time the games are on. But when I just watch a single game of hockey, it reminds me how unbelievably talented the players are. Reminds me of the All-Star game, where a nobody quasi-goon was voted in as a captain for one of the teams. He went out there and looked great in the 3 on 3 because even the "worst" NHL players are awesome.

 

[rousseau]

More seriously though it seems like when players get a touch in hockey they have limited options and time to react. And over-arching strategies are also limited.

But they react quickly and very well. Lining up a check in open ice isn't exactly easy.

Definitely takes athleticism but seems too random. Soccer is the better version of hockey: essentially the same game but slowed down and longer times to react when holding the ball. Much longer possessions too.

Soccer is great too and I watch more of that than hockey these days due to the time the games are on. But when I just watch a single game of hockey, it reminds me how unbelievably talented the players are. Reminds me of the All-Star game, where a nobody quasi-goon was voted in as a captain for one of the teams. He went out there and looked great in the 3 on 3 because even the "worst" NHL players are awesome.

I guess my argument is that being forced to react quickly isn't a good thing.

Player gets puck and based on his experience knows he can only do one thing in a situation and does it. This is repeated over and over in the game. Even the best players have minimal control over the overall flow. The result is the team with the most players who are good at choosing the one correct option quickly win, plus a few points for shooting accuracy.

In soccer players have a lot more freedom to decide what they're going to do so the game tends to be more intentional and artistic.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

But they react quickly and very well. Lining up a check in open ice isn't exactly easy.

Definitely takes athleticism but seems too random. Soccer is the better version of hockey: essentially the same game but slowed down and longer times to react when holding the ball. Much longer possessions too.

Soccer is great too and I watch more of that than hockey these days due to the time the games are on. But when I just watch a single game of hockey, it reminds me how unbelievably talented the players are. Reminds me of the All-Star game, where a nobody quasi-goon was voted in as a captain for one of the teams. He went out there and looked great in the 3 on 3 because even the "worst" NHL players are awesome.

I guess my argument is that being forced to react quickly isn't a good thing.

Player gets puck and based on his experience knows he can only do one thing in a situation and does it. This is repeated over and over in the game. Even the best players have minimal control over the overall flow. The result is the team with the most players who are good at choosing the one correct option quickly win, plus a few points for shooting accuracy.

In soccer players have a lot more freedom to decide what they're going to do so the game tends to be more intentional and artistic.

You've clearly never seen Liverpool play in the second half.

 

[Toni]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

The game is so fast, the playing surface so small, that every game just seems like a bunch of players bouncing around and throwing the puck at the net until it coincidentally goes in. At the end of the year the team that's done the least stupid stuff, and has hired players with incrementally more skill than other teams, wins the stanley cup, and the saga goes on.

I may very well be ignorant of the game. Could someone explain the nuance to it that I'm missing?

A good hockey game is like watching ballet. It is a thing of beauty.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

The game is so fast, the playing surface so small, that every game just seems like a bunch of players bouncing around and throwing the puck at the net until it coincidentally goes in. At the end of the year the team that's done the least stupid stuff, and has hired players with incrementally more skill than other teams, wins the stanley cup, and the saga goes on.

I may very well be ignorant of the game. Could someone explain the nuance to it that I'm missing?

A good hockey game is like watching ballet. It is a thing of beauty.

i can concur. I saw game 4 of the Calder Cup finals and it was the worst game I've seen. I've never seen a puck bounce so much and players that were beyond exhausted. But Cleveland won and are champions. Fuck the Cavs (unless they win the next three games)!

 

[Underseer]

I've tried for years to like ice hockey, but no matter how much I watch I just can't get into it.

The game is so fast, the playing surface so small, that every game just seems like a bunch of players bouncing around and throwing the puck at the net until it coincidentally goes in. At the end of the year the team that's done the least stupid stuff, and has hired players with incrementally more skill than other teams, wins the stanley cup, and the saga goes on.

I may very well be ignorant of the game. Could someone explain the nuance to it that I'm missing?

Emphasis added.

Honestly, it sounds like you're like I am. I simply don't enjoy watching sports.

If I watch sports at all, it's strictly to socialize with other people watching sports. That's it. I get nothing else out of the experience.