What's the atmosphere like?
JansenFan wrote:The best advice I can give you is, say eh after every sentence, make sure your drinking molsons, and wear a hat you don't like, because if Ovetchkin gets a hat trick, you have to throw your hat on the ice.
Other than that, have a good time, and if you're close to the ice, watch for clearing shots that go high off the boards.
fredp45 wrote:I went to hundreds of Caps games when they played at the Caps center...moved from the MD/DC area 13 years ago and haven't gone to a pro game since -- I go watch Ohio Univ play Club Hockey...it's great fun!
I had two sets of friends back in MD who had free tickets and when I was going no one wanted to go. I went a lot their first few years...and rarely saw a win!
Don't know the MCI center but at the Cap Center we always said -- write down the name of the entrance -- they all looked the same when you walked out of the arena and it might take awhile to find your car. Plus, at the Cap center, I'd say -- leave early, the traffic really stunk.
My recomendation for the Caps at the MCI -- watch the NEW guy, he's possibly the best player the Caps have ever had. He is a star - I just hope that Ted opens up his wallet this next year to get him a playmaker. Plus, we need a bunch of defenders...poor Olie!
If you don't know the rules, find someone who does and ask questions. Hockey has very few rules actually. You need to understand offsides probably more than anything. There are a bunch of different penalties but who cares if you can't differentiate between boarding and roughing...they're both 2 mins.
Have fun, it's a great sport in person. One of my favorites.
JansenFan wrote:The best advice I can give you is, say eh after every sentence, make sure your drinking molsons, and wear a hat you don't like, because if Ovetchkin gets a hat trick, you have to throw your hat on the ice.
welch wrote:- Don't just watch the puck. Think of it as soccer on skates, and watch all the other players getting into position to receive a pass.
Or better yet, feel the impact of a check on the boards if you get close enought.welch wrote:- Listen to the sound of a puck as it hits the boards. Feel the impact.
There is no faster sport without a machine. Except for the Zamboni of course.welch wrote:- Watch the speed of the skating, the maneuvering at speed, while someone carries the puck. Try to imagine the coordination it takes to go that fast while looking over the ice for an open man, or taking a shot.
Redskin in Canada wrote:With the exception of Welch, the one-eyed are leading the blind in this thread. But let me take somebody to a friendly task here, eh?JansenFan wrote:The best advice I can give you is, say eh after every sentence, make sure your drinking molsons, and wear a hat you don't like, because if Ovetchkin gets a hat trick, you have to throw your hat on the ice.
Here goes the 3-part question big fella:
If a "hat trick" is what happens when a player gets three goals in a game, interestingly now not only in hockey:
1) where does this tradition come from?
2) when did it first happen? and
3) who was the player involved in it?
Google all you want. I do not believe that you are going to get it right.
And to all Canadians in this board. Please do not laugh too hard at these guys. They are trying their best...
... really!
JansenFan wrote:Are you asking about the tradition of throwing hats on the ice, or of the hat trick in general?
If you mean in general, it comes from the sport of cricket, when a bowler takes three wickets in three balls. It was first recorded in by HH stephenson of All-England in the mid-1800's, and as was customary in those times, a collection was taken from the audience, which was then used to purchase a hat for Mr. Stephenson.
If you mean the tradition of throwing hats on the ice, I don't know, but if I had to guess, I would say it had to do with the Canadian junior teams in Ontario, many of whom were sponsored by hat companies. When a player would score a goal, he would get a free hat. When this tradition stopped, fans would throw their hats out onto the ice, as a way of saying, those cheap hat companies won't give you one, so take mine instead.
The new rules are doing finally away with the neutral zone trap, which had taken away all the excitment from the game. I am in favour of the new rules.redskingush wrote:The new rules have opened things up, some say good, others like myself say bad.
JansenFan wrote:..Are you asking about the tradition of throwing hats on the ice, or of the hat trick in general?
If you mean in general, it comes from the sport of cricket, when a bowler takes three wickets in three balls. It was first recorded in by HH stephenson of All-England in the mid-1800's, and as was customary in those times, a collection was taken from the audience, which was then used to purchase a hat for Mr. Stephenson.
If you mean the tradition of throwing hats on the ice, I don't know, but if I had to guess, I would say it had to do with the Canadian junior teams in Ontario, many of whom were sponsored by hat companies. When a player would score a goal, he would get a free hat. When this tradition stopped, fans would throw their hats out onto the ice, as a way of saying, those cheap hat companies won't give you one, so take mine instead.
SkinsJock wrote:JansenFan wrote:..Are you asking about the tradition of throwing hats on the ice, or of the hat trick in general?
If you mean in general, it comes from the sport of cricket, when a bowler takes three wickets in three balls. It was first recorded in by HH stephenson of All-England in the mid-1800's, and as was customary in those times, a collection was taken from the audience, which was then used to purchase a hat for Mr. Stephenson.
If you mean the tradition of throwing hats on the ice, I don't know, but if I had to guess, I would say it had to do with the Canadian junior teams in Ontario, many of whom were sponsored by hat companies. When a player would score a goal, he would get a free hat. When this tradition stopped, fans would throw their hats out onto the ice, as a way of saying, those cheap hat companies won't give you one, so take mine instead.
Sorry RiC - that is a great comeback! As an Aussie that is worth a little more than "not bad...for an American"! That is an exceptional bit of trivia!
Well done Scott - I think UK will agree there are not many that would know where to dig that quickly!
