A New Love Affair...

This spring, I discovered a sport that had been sitting in front of my face all along...hockey.  Now I know what you are thinking...isn't hockey that sport that the Canadians love that has all those players missing teeth?  And my response...well ya.  But despite that, I found out that hockey is a pretty sweet sport.  And what team created this new love affair?  Non other than the least likely city to host a hockey team...your current Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings.

Ya, ya I know.  It's easy to love a winner.  But its not that the Kings won...its HOW they won.  I mean in what other sport would you ever see an 8 seed win a championship?  Non, I tell you.  In the NBA, the 8 seed might as well not show up.  In hockey though, the parity of the teams is something that makes every single playoff game exciting.  Home ice is nice..but really, until game 7 it just doesn't matter.  All that matters is who has the hotter goalie...and that can change from game to game!

And its not even like you have to have a huge big name goalie!  I mean, sure its nice to have Martin Brodeur (and yes, you are reading that right.  Brodeur is somehow still playing hockey...the same guy who was your favorite player in Wayne Gretzsky video game, is still kicking it in the NHL and looking good doing it).  But I mean, just look at Holtby!  The third string Capitals goalie who somehow managed to out duel last years MVP of the Stanley Cup Thomas!  I tell you...anything can happen on any given night.  And it makes for some seriously great television.

I know, I know.  Hockey on television? Other than during the playoffs and for that really sick outdoor game on New Years, you wouldn't know it.  But don't let that stop you.  Go to the games...as another great thing about Hockey is the fans.  They aren't your usual corporate fans you see at all those baseball and basketball games.  These fans are die hard who stand and cheer the entire time.  And when a fight starts?  Put your hand over year ears as it is about to get seriously loud!

So next time you don't know what to do...grab a beer and go to your local arena and fall in love with this great sport.  The Canadians finally have imported something worthwhile, and its time America fully embraced it.