I’m generally pretty excitable about hockey. You could pretty much have the two worst teams in the league playing and I’d rather tune into that than any reality show, any day of the week. You get a couple of corn & beef fed Canadians, mixed in with some soviet block Europeans and a few Americans (whose dad didn’t force them into football) and you got yourself a good ole time on ice. Mix in the barbaric cross-checks and the occasional pugilistic fight (its actually called policing) and it’s a night of fun for the whole family.
The Atlanta Thrashers are slowly coming along. They benefit from a weak division that currently only has 1 team is at or above .500, and its not them. Regardless of that fact, they still could make the playoffs. Our neighborhood icebirds finally made the playoffs last year, but got swept out to no avail (quite rudely too) in the first round by the NY Rangers. The always-entertaining post-coital love fest in the hallways of Philips had my buddy Darrell with a couple Thrasher fans (who were more than a couple Budweisers deep sporting a NASCAR hats no less) discussing the finer points of Atlanta hockey. Same thing happened recently at a recent Penguins game. Its great to have enthusiasm for your team, but winning in the regular season means nothing if, and I’ll say it here and then drop this subject – you don’t win a playoff game. Cross that threshold, then come talk to me.
So what does all this mean? Well, we had a string of 3 games (including the All-star game) in one week, and I made a couple observations. Here are a couple things I’d like to mention to further add credibility to the Thrasher’s hockey atmosphere:
- Wearing a jersey of a team that is not playing on that particular night in that arena does not label you as a hockey fan; it labels you as a moron (as a couple Islander fans did the other night, well Islander fans are behind the moron 8-ball anyway). Leave it on the shelf at home. Got the itch to sport it, either dress as a hockey player for Halloween or buy tickets when your team comes to town.
- Yelling “shoot the puck” during the power play will not “Will” the puck into the goal. Are you bored? Restless? FYI - Its not quite like that Xbox game that you’ve mastered where you can shoot of your back foot while eating a hotdog and go “top shelf” past Martin Brodeur.
- Screaming out “Show us your _____” when the Ice Girls come out will not get you a date or endear you to any surrounding ladies. Just make sure to go all the way and hi-five your buddies after you get a glaring look from any that are within earshot.
- Booing players at the All-star game…Really? I’m just not sure what to say about this. I know this is a favorite pastime during player introductions of the regular season, but come on… This is an exhibition. I know, I know, enthusiasm. Cool, show it. Just don’t forget to wipe the mustard stain of your Islander “#1 Fan” jersey.
We’ve got about 4 weeks until the trading flurry (I mean deadline) begins. Atlanta will be indoctrinated into the art of dumping soon-to-be free agents All-Star players. Hossa = tradebait. I’m curious as to where he ends up and whether or not Waddell actually gets something in return – probably end up with a couple thirds liners, a draft pick and a ham sandwich. This is the beginning of the second season.
YES! It is over. Couple tense moments. Couple moments looked like pre-game batting practice. But I’ll take it. Anytime. My phone has remained somewhat silent for the last week, except for my girlfriend’s sister (she lives in Denver) realizing that the bet she made with me was a lost cause. Most of her texts were “Oh Crap” and “Oh God” and “Dammit”. Sweet! Free El Azteca for me!
I only have a couple things to say - Let’s Go Red Sox! Let’s Go Red Sox! Let’s Go Red Sox! Let’s Go Red Sox! Let’s Go Red Sox! Small heart attack during the Cleveland series, but let’s get going for the big prize. The curse is already gone. AL East title streak is over.