On the Curative Powers of Hockey

Serious case of the blahs lately... I've spent the past couple evenings watching illicitly downloaded hockey games in an effort to cheer myself up. Just watched a replay of the ass-kicking Canada laid on Russia during the Olympics. It was even better than last night, when I re-watched Canada beat the U.S. for the gold medal. I think it's working... Yes, definitely. I just smiled to myself...

More Proof That Hockey Is the Coolest Game on Earth

The Stanley Cup is the oldest, most storied, and most venerated trophy in North American sports. This year The Cup belongs to The Chicago Blackhawks, one of the Original Six. As befits the champion of a professional league, the city of Chicago held a huge parade to honor their team. An estimated 2 million fans showed up to hoist The Cup.

There will be another kind of parade in Chicago later this week--the Annual Chicago Pride Parade. The National Hockey League and The Chicago Blackhawks will be participating in this parade. Hawks player Brent Sopel and The Stanley Cup itself will be part of a float sponsored by the Chicago Gay Hockey Association.

Now, how fucking cool is that?

Rink of Dreams

This is... beautiful...



The Winter Olympics are coming soon.  While I generally don't have much nice to say about the Olympics, I must say this: the level of hockey at the last few Winter Olympics has been the highest ever. Unlike other "world championship"-type events, we have the best players in the world actually playing their best. I like soccer/football, but the World Cup is nothing but dull games with predictable winners, made even worse by a level of officiating more appropriate to pro-wrestling. Football's league games are a lot more entertaining and competitive than anything I've ever seen during a World Cup tournament. When Canada, The U.S., Sweden, Russia, Finland, and the Czech Republic (along with several up and coming hockey powers) send out their best hockey players, it's neither dull nor predictable. Nor is it decided by the referee.

I'm psyched. Go Canada!

Why I love Hockey, No. 1

I ask you, in what other sport could you see anything approaching the sheer awesomeness of this [image source]?


It's been fifty years since the introduction of the goalie mask. A nice round-up of the goalie mask's impact on pop culture and hockey psychology can be read here. Money quote:

But beyond the sociological aspects of the mask is a widely accepted truth: They're just bitchin' cool.

Damn straight.