Yea, it’s been awhile, but when this came up, I knew I had to take advantage…

I’ve always said that here in Southern California, hockey fans are a rare breed.  Now I’m starting to realize we’re just surrounded by a bunch of people who don’t know any better…case in point…

A guy in my office has inquired about my love of hockey.  He asked what it is about hockey that I love so much…what makes hockey so much better than all the rest.  I said, simply…

Hockey is beautiful.

“Did you just say, ‘hockey is beautiful’?” he says, shaking his head…slightly disgusted by my girlie choice of words.

“YUP!  There are times during a game where a play is executed so perfectly it’s…BEAUTIFUL!”

He’s admitted to having very little exposure to the game, and I can understand that…this IS Southern California (his being from the North East, however, is NO excuse).  So it inspired me to make a little post of why hockey is so beautiful, so fantastic…SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE REST.

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I’ve been thinking about this for a few days now, and I actually have no way to describe how beautiful hockey is.  It’s something you have to see, something you have to experience for yourself.  I can say how amazing it is to watch two grown men collide up against the boards, full speed ahead…but the sound, the crash, the shaking of the glass, the bodies flying, and the roar of the crowd…that would be lost.  I can say how awe inspiring it is to see Bobby Ryan bob and weave his way around defenders for an amazing hat trick goal, but unless you were watching, unless you were there seeing/hearing the Kings fans inside of Staples Center go silent…that moment is lost.  I can tell you how exhilarating it is to watch Jonas Hiller snatch puck after puck out of the sky with the enthusiasm of a Broadway star, but unless you know how close the other team came to scoring on the odd man rush…it’s just another glove save to you.

I can’t describe hockey the way it’s meant to be experienced.  Raw.  Live.  On the edge of your seat.

I do know this…if you think that other team sports have hockey beaten, consider this…

• Football has 90 yard punt returns…hockey has coast to coast goals.

• Football has 70 TD passes…hockey has stretch passes to the open man ready to go one on one with the goaltender.

• Baseball has double plays…hockey has power plays.

• Baseball has grand slams…hockey has hat tricks.

• Basketball has slam dunks…hockey has shootouts.

• Basketball has 3 point buzzer-beaters…hockey has sudden death overtime.

I can’t tell you why it’s so much better than all of the other sports COMBINED…but that list is a pretty good start!

In the end, I can’t tell you why hockey is beautiful.  You have to experience that one for yourself.

So, on that note, I thought I’d leave you all with the TOP TENS from the season.  Now for those of you who know EXACTLY why hockey is beautiful…this will probably just give your taste buds a tease of hockey…and will likely just cause you to long for the season that much more.  For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about…here’s a sample of what you’ve been missing.  Bare in mind…this is NOTHING compared to watching live…the beauty of this sport has been lost in translation, trust me.

First up, the Top Ten hits of 2008-2009…including that MONSTER hit by Chris Pronger (haha, remember that commercial?)…

Next, the Top Ten goals of 2008-2009. My PERSONAL favorite is number 2!

Also, the Top Ten Shootout Goals of the year…who knew Toronto was so talented?

Finally, the Top Ten saves of 2008-2009…minus the final save of game 7 in the SC Final (which, to one team, was the save of the year).

GO DUCKS!!!