Huge Hockey Fan Here! The 'Miracle on Ice' both the documentary and the one Curt Russel movie should be required as Must Sees...It sets the backdrop context in order to properly appreciate the Sport...
Hockey is best seen in person, you have to watch the whole arena with your eyes wide open to see positions and plays that are developing off camera...also, pucks do come over the glass...
Me and the Wife found ourselves in Northern Alabama when the first NHL game in the State of Alabama between the Predators and the Red Wings took place at the Huntsville Ice arena..it was surreal to find ourselves at this game, never in a million years would I have ever imagined being in Alabama witnessing a NHL game live...Monster Truck sure, but actual Hockey? No Way!
Until his death, My Uncle played on a Mens League in Muskegon, my cousin nearly went Pro...I on the other hand, once again fell between the cracks of stardom...My folks had 6 kids, consequently No Money! I had to wear my older Sisters white figure skates at the beginning of my aspirations to Hockey greatness on Ice..so yeah, imagine Johnny Weir or Tara Lipinski..that was me....
I did learn to fight pretty good though, and even at the tender age of 14, I could do a triple Lutz! Back then, this is before anybody thought about curving a stick blade, you pretty much made your own gear out of an ash tree...If you had a Grandpa that had some woodworking skills, and an interest in seeing you getting killed, He made you a hockey stick!...
I briefly attended BGSU in 1977, stationed at Rogers Ground West, (You GD Right!) and a few of the 'Miracle on Ice' boys came out of that establishment...I had unlimited access to the ice arena, since thats where the archery class was held, and the Prof gave me a set of keys, since I was into that and pretty damn good and trustworthy...So I'd go and let myself in when the hockey team was practicing and shoot arrows, never knowing a few of these guys would go onto greatness of that magnitude.......
Yeah...I watch Hockey...I dont know why Hockey Players dont wear figure skates though? The teeth on the front really make for a pretty good self defense weapon..perfect advantage to have in an ice fight! You grab the guy by the ears, and quick scrabble out his guts with your 'feet claws' like some sort of Evil Ice Kangaroo!
Hockey is one tough sport! Grueling schedule! Multidisciplines required! You have to be skilled in Mixed Martial Arts and willing to get your teeth knocked out...and thats just for sitting in the bleachers!