What's the big deal about the sport I like????

[ri95171]

Ive been a hockey fan since 1967 (I live in Los Angeles)and been playing hockey since 1974(I'm 53 now and still playing) what I just don't get is all the negative and stupid comments many people from the media say about this great sport! Also I get some negative comments from my co-workers who play other sports(softball, soccer ,basketball). Is it because of the rough nature of the game?Or because many "weekend warriors "don't have the skill to get on ice and compete? Id like to see some of my co workers who rag on me about hockey to get on the ice, they wouldn't last 30 seconds! But I just don't understand why the game of hockey is always pushed aside,I just don't get it!

[jrose]

Well, mostly I think you get mocked because, well, you live in LA where most people have no idea how much fun it is or how much skill it truly takes. They dismiss it because they know nothing about it and it's not really a part of their world. Of course, they probably are unaware that Gretzky lives there or they don't know who he is. I can't explain it any further because it still baffles me that Americans in general don't care as much about hockey as we do here in Canada. Sure, we have people who aren't that into it and don't watch the NHL, but very few people would dismiss it as a sport- that would be as bad as dismissing football or baseball down there- sacreligious lol! It's not a part of national or state culture/consciousness, so people don't care that much, whereas here people like Cassie Cambell, Jordan Eberley and Sidney Crosby are national heroes. My advice- don't worry about the hockey haters, they don't know the great game they're missing.

[Anonymous]

With any other sport there is always the opportunity for strategy whereas hockey there isn't much room for it since it is too easy to mess up a well practiced plan to win the game. About the only thing that I can think of that can be in support for the game is to have a really good goally. It does take some skill to skate effortlessly back and forth across the ice but come on anyone can hit a puck.

[jrose]

I beg to differ, hockey includes a LOT of strategy and if you're an athlete from ANY sport you know that strategies can be messed up, that's why you have to think on your feet. Sure "anyone can hit a puck" but can you shoot a puck as fast, as hard, and as accurately as some people? Can you find your team mate in the split second you have and put it on his stick without looking? Can you receieve a pass that quickly, control it and stick handle around defencemen who are checking you?

[TimePhantom]

Here's my opinion on Hockey. It is boring to me. Why? Well what makes sports exciting? When the team scores. In hockey there is not much scoring, same with soccer which I also don't like. Now to some people you may find hockey very exciting. But I think you need to be a really hardcore fan to appreciate the little stuff in sports like a good pass or whatever. I like baseball a lot. Many people don't because they claim it is long and boring, and again not a ton of scoring. But I love watching the web gems on baseball tonight, watching a great catch or a good pitch, that many other people don't care at all about. So that's like when I see a hockey highlight of a goal, I just think ok... You scored not that cool isn't that the whole point of the game? That's also why football and basketball are the two major sports. Lots of scoring, lots of hits, big plays, slam dunks...

[ri95171]

As well as playing hockey I also played baseball (right field),so one of the hardest things to do in sports is trying to hit a curve ball or change up,Oh you said Hockey is boring?? Then how come the L.A. Kings have sold out 18 staight home games at Staples Center,do your self a favor ,Stay away from your daddy cough drops!!!!!!

[TimePhantom]

You asked for an opinion and I gave it. I have no problem with hockey, it just doesn't appeal to me. Everyone has a sport they love, and that's great the the kings sell out. I'm just speaking as a nation hockey is considered last out of the four major sports. I don't know why you are attacking me about baseball when I said I liked baseball. And I do agree that it is probably the hardest sport. I can't imagine trying to hit major league curve, or a ball going 100 mph.

[ri95171]

Update , The L.A. Kings have sold out their last 20 straight home games at Staples Center.

[TimePhantom]

Update, I DON"T CARE!!!!!!!!

[OutOfMyElement43]

I can see how Hockey is just not a popular sport in LA. The climate in LA doesn't make is a natural spot for playing Hockey; so, most people probably have no idea how much skill it takes to play Hockey. I can imagine you have to be pretty athletic to skate up and down the rink. I have no idea; I've never been in a pair of ice skates.

If you lived in northern state or Canada, you'd probably find that people are much more interested. BTW, assuming it's a guy, you can pretty much laugh off the "weekend softball warrior." Seriously, softball? I'd be embarrassed to tell people I played softball.

[John-Bee]

They don't understand the game. I think that either you love it or just don't get it.

I always laugh at the little slap fights in baseball or basketball.

Drop the gloves skate out to center ice & go for it.

Seriously invite them to play. you know they can't skate that in itself is an art. Take them out on the ice & check them into the boards & see how fast they would run to the dressing room.

They don't even understand that if a hockey player has to go off for repairs there is no time for Novocaine to be used. They just take the stitches like a man & miss only 1 or 2 shifts.

How about playing injured? Ohh poor baby pitcher has a blister on his finger & he's out for a week or more.