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Yessss…. Hockey is here! This actually gets me more pumped up than college football (very close second). There is nothing like pro hockey. Its grace, its power, its fast. Its brutally strong guys from places like Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine (say that 5 times real fast) chasing a frozen 3-inch piece of rubber around a 200×85 sheet of ice with sticks and attempting to both a) knock someones head off, and b) not get their own head knocked off. On a swivel folks. Blink and you might miss it.

Living in Atlanta, there has been a slight rise in interest of the Thrashers. There are a good number of northern transplants living in the area, so the stands are relatively full. The real fun at Thrasher games is the people watching - NASCAR fans have crossed the line, and now split their loyalties between the oval and the ice. (Side note - when I was in college, there was a ECHL minor league team in Greensboro, NC. The highest attended night was when Richard Petty drove the Zamboni. Bu then again, I think the team marketing slogan was “Come see a fight, and maybe a little hockey.”  Go figure.) The crowd could be defined as “canadian evolution”. Think about it. You can’t feed these guys enough beers (where’s the Molson?). They sport highly-stylized mullets (Barry Melrose) and personalized jerseys with Jorts. Full sets of teeth are optional and big 4×4 trucks (for all the Atlanta snow) are trendy. Sound similar? Tell me I’m wrong. I digress… again.

Anyway, game night is always good. Phillips Arena is a good place to catch a game. Easy to get around, modern (compared to the old Boston Garden and Madison Sq). Phillips is connected to the CNN center and the subsequent health conscious food court - stints, heart defibrillator’s and lipitor are available in most combo meals. Our usual activity starts at Goran’s with delicious 24oz beers for $6. Hockey pre-game is nothing but sitting in a meatlocker while people filter in and watching guys skate in circles. For us, no hurry whatsoever. We get in around the beginning, grab a beer (this is when the hemorrhaging of cash begins - $7.25 for a 12 oz of something other than Miller Lite. Am I back in New York?) on the way to the seat and let the game begin. There is the usual group of people around us that call out the players by first name, like they are tight buddies - “Let’s go Mike! C’mon Bobby! Hit someone Sergei!” and my favorite - “Shoot IT!”. Yuh-huh. This isn’t Xbox folks. (See some photos from the night)

Well, it took 35 minutes of game time for Atlanta to finally tally the first goal of the 07-08 season. Which unfortunately paved the way to a 3-1 loss to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Hopefully, Atlantiens (i think that’s right) won’t bail on the team. There aren’t a whole lot of expectations for this ATL team. Most hockey gurus have them finishing in the basement of the Easter Conference. I try to do my part. We got out ticket package to see the Rangers (my buddy Darrell’s team) and the Penguins (my boys) come to town, not to mention a couple other tilts against quality teams. Its wholesome family fun. Bring the kids! At least you won’t get beat up like another Atlanta attraction (eh-hmmm… Six Flags!). I am glad to see Atlanta support the NHL, and hopefully they will one day get rewarded with a cup-caliber team. This town needs something sporting to rally behind, since the disappointment with the Falcons & a player who’s name rhymes with Sick. So, if you make it down to the frozen Atlanta pond, swing by Goran’s. We’ll be there.