Why You Should Love Hockey

I want to welcome everyone who is here today because of a little giveaway on Sarah's blog!  I know some of you are only here to get that entry on the giveaway, but I really hope you stick around and read a few posts.  Some of my favorites are Miley Trying to Ruin My LIfe, Things This Blogger Has Yet To Say, and You Are Doing OK Dog Mom.

[caption id="attachment_432" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Here is a picture of me at my favorite place, a hockey game![/caption]

When I sat down to write today I thought it would be the perfect day to write about sports.  I can hang with the guys and talk shop about almost any sport, but I don't really care about all the sports.  When it comes to sports I only have one true love… Hockey.  Since my love of hockey began a few years ago I have found that people are either really into hockey or could care less.  For those of you who could care less I get it, I mean that was me too.

I think the only reason you do not like it is because you just have not been told why you should like it.  That is where I come in.  I am going to channel my inner Venus and give you a simple beginners lesson in hockey and hope that it at least inspires you to watch a game or two.

My team is the Anaheim Ducks.  Yes as in the Mighty Ducks from the awesome Disney trilogy of movies.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="700"] I need to go watch these movies again. Look at Emilio, so young, so fresh.[/caption]

Although the real team is no longer the Mighty Ducks, thank God, and they never do the "Flying V" they are amazing!  They won the Cup in 2007 and  will again this year, they have the best record in the league right now.

1. Fast and action packed play

Hockey is an extremely fast paced game.  The total playing time is 60 minutes. Which is divided up into 3 periods.  Between each period there is a 20 minute intermission.  The twenty minutes is just the right amount of time for a HIIT workout, Pilates DVD, cleaning spree, or dinner eating.  Then it is back into the fray for more action than your little heart can handle.

If the game is tied at the end of regulation the teams play a 5 minute sudden death overtime.  If a team scores the game is over.  If no one scores they go to a shoot out.  Whichever team makes the most shots wins.  This is so intense and worth watching.

2. The games are  easy to follow

So there are a lot of rules in hockey, which we can get into later. But you only need to know the basics here.

5 men per team on the ice at a time

1 goalie in the net per team

Power play - When your team has more men on the ice than other team on the ice (because the other team got a penalty)

Goal - what happens when the puck goes in the net.

Stanley Cup - The winning team of the year are the Stanley Cup Champions

Of course there is more to it, but if you get this you get most of it.  If you want to know more look at the photo below.



3. It is a crazy hard sport to play.

In case you do not believe me can you please think back to the last time you went ice skating.  How many times did you fall down just trying to go around the rink once? If you are like me you never actually got off your butt the whole time.  These guys are so athletic and crazy good at their sport.  Really it is something to admire.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="628"] I would have fallen over five seconds before this photo was taken if I was on the ice.[/caption]

4. THE MEN ARE HOT!

I wrote a whole post about it here.

You can play "my new boyfriend" and pick the player you think is hottest and then whenever he gets a goal or a point the game is that much more exciting.

5. Carrie Underwood married a professional hockey player.



In case anyone else wants to be Carrie Underwood this is another way she has you beat.  She married Mike Fisher now on the Nashville Predators. How great is this couple, country music, hockey, Jesus lovin', beautiful: it is my dream come true, but Carrie stole it.

6. You can reenact this scene from Friends



7. Tickets prices are not super crazy

I have never actually sat close enough for #6 to happen to me because those seats are pretty pricey!  Even if you sit at the top you can see the action.  I haven't spent more than $30 on tickets and I have a great time every time I go.

8. There has to be a team near you

If you can not choose a team to like the Anaheim Ducks are so stinking good.  If you decide to like them then you will look like you joined the bandwagon because they are going to win the Stanley Cup this year, but just tell any haters Erica told you it was cool.

It is also an international sport.  You can travel to Canada, watch some hockey and eat some donuts.  What more could a girl want?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] You can pretty much be Robin Sparkles![/caption]

9. Reasons to wear your cute winter clothes and UGGs

Another plus is the jersey you wear to a game is pretty big so if you gained five holiday pounds no one is the wiser.



10. Fighting is encouraged



Yes Hockey has fighting, and yes, they guys just punch each other.  If you have never seen a full-blown hockey fight you need to, it is dazzling.  I usually watch in awe as they are able to punch each other in the face while on ice skates without falling on their faces.  It is a think of beauty.  In case you are wanting to date a hockey player I thick it is best to stay away from the one known as the "fighter" on the team.  For example Patrick Maroon and Matt Beleskey are the fighters on the Ducks.  While I think they are great at hockey and energizing their team I would run the other way if I saw them on the street.


I hope I have convinced you to at least check out a Hockey game in the future.  Watching from your TV is fun and all but you have to go to a game to really catch the hockey bug.

If you are in Southern California maybe I will see you at Honda center soon!



Oh and below is the information on the giveaway I mentioned hosted by Venus Trapped In Mars!

Princess Burlap   :::   Not Entirely Perfect   :::   Young and Entertaining   :::   Endlessly Beloved
Sweet Magnolia   :::   Living in Another Language   :::   Pink Sunshine   :::   Venus Trapped in Mars
My Cup of Sparkle   :::   Southern Finesse   :::   Kate the Almost Great   :::   A Caffeinated Brunette
Sarah Christine Style   :::   So Much Sunshine

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