ice princess.
Oh, do I love hockey.
I love hockey like Tammy Faye loved mascara, like Tom Cruise loves jumping on couches, like David Letterman loves a Top Ten.
If you click on my “hockey” category down there to the right, you can read some of the stuff I’ve said about it on my blog, like this and this and this.
Those posts should tell you what you need to know. But I’m going to tell you a bit more.
I love hockey because it’s beautiful and brutal all at once. Much like my love life.
You can watch people squish one another into the boards only seconds after they execute some near-balletic move to take a shot on net. That contrast of perfect and fierce is what true sport is all about to me… along with the fever pitch of competition, and the magic of camaraderie among players and in the stands.
Just a week or so ago, I got to go to an actual game, courtesy of someone very nice, and it was brilliant to scream like a freak and listen to all the people around me cheering for the same thing I was: our boys on skates!
See how happy (and tanned) we looked?
Unfortunately, my sweet Canucks were a bit shaky the night we saw them (and lost in the shootout.) They weren’t looking too confident in their season opener, either (a 3-1 loss to San Jose.)
Last night was their first win of the regular season — 5 seconds before the end of OT.
So I’m a little concerned.
Not doubting, not complaining, not bitching, mind you… no way. I’m no Bandwagon Betty, turning on the game only in the middle of a winning streak.
I’m just wanting to make sure they get off on the right skate.
And what do I think is the key?
We need bigger showings from our “marquee” players (Hello, Naslund?), more shots on net (Stop waiting for the perfect opening!), more consistent play from our defensive guys (Where ARE you?), and continued energy and drive from our “newbie” players if we’re going to stay alive in the standings this season.
We have zero time to rest on our laurels… or our Luongo.
Speaking of Luongo, I remain in love with our goalie. Even on his bad days, he shows the kind of genius we’ve needed in net for years (I was no fan of Cloutier.)
So I’ll be watching and blogging about my favourite sport all season, and seeing it live as often as possible, too. Even if I have to sell a kidney.
Stay tuned. AND GO CANUCKS GO!
October 7th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Do you think it stinks that a lot of Canadian hockey has been sucked up by southern US states (like California) who have no business having hockey teams? I have always thought that hockey should belong to naturally icy areas and just wondered if a real hockey fan shared that feeling.
October 7th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I’ve always thought that too, Suebob. The best hockey I ever saw was the Anchorage Aces, an Alaskan minor league team. Seeing the fans throw frozen salmon out on the ice when the team would score a goal was the most fun I’ve ever had at a sporting event.
October 7th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Great post!
I’ve sold my soul numerous times to pay for all the games I’ve gone to (and will be going to), but it’s worth every penny.
October 7th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
So…warm US states shouldn’t be allowed to have hockey? Wow. I guess I’ll have to turn in my fan club membership pin. And when did California become a southern state? :)
October 8th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Hey, my Caps are 2-0! Not that I think it’s going to last, but it sure is nice to have that jumpstart. And Ovi gave up a tooth on Friday night, so he’s finally a true hockey smile.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:29 am
I’ve never been remotely interested in hockey, but you make it sound interesting. Thanks for your great description.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Vancouver would be out in the cold (or warm) so to speak if only naturally icy places have hockey….it is snowy here 3 hours a year or less….
No, what SHOULDN’T happen is that there probably shouldn’t be so many clubs. I truly believe that if they got rid of one or two of the lower performing clubs, those later additions, that it would tighten the league up a bit and make it easier for each club to play every other club at least once a year. This year, Vancouver doesn’t get to play Buffalo (and others) which I suppose is not terrible because Buffalo is my ‘back up team’ and how would I cheer against one of them when they played each other?
Meg, do you have a back-up team?
October 8th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
I think I just love hockey, wherever it gets played. :-)
And actually, the coldest part of Canada isn’t specifically represented by any NHL team… so clearly the ice doesn’t matter except in the arenas and rinks.
But I see what you mean, Suebob… and I think some of the more stodgy hockey fans took exception to the sudden onslaught of expansion teams a while back, wherever they cropped up, and some of the odd moves teams had to make due to financial constraints.
I gotta admit, even I cringed a bit when the Winnipeg Jets moved to Phoenix!
Again, though, I love the hockey. Bring it on, wherever it happens. Why should anyone be denied??
Monty, the only fan club I want you to give up is Nickelback. Haha!
And Shannon, I’m not really sure. The Leafs, maybe, because my dad loves them. Otherwise, not really. Although I love watching Martin Brodeur play.
Overall, I think we’re in a brilliant conference that’s just super fun to watch, so I’d tune in to many of those teams playing, even if they weren’t playing us.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
PLEASE DON’T TAKE MY NICKELBACK! I know, it’s an unhealthy fascination, much like the one I have for pro beach volleyball tournaments.
I’m sick.
October 9th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
hey man…. don’t be talking like that. san jose TOTALLY deserves a hockey team. it’s places like anaheim, miami and atlanta (whose own fans call them the trashers) that don’t deserve hockey teams.
i love my sharks. i’m sorry they beat the ‘nucks on friday night but somebody had to win. right?
October 9th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
CA has been a southern state ever since it started butting up against Mexico, our southern neighbor…”Southern” isn’t only for the bible belt.