First time going to a hockey game, any advice?

fredp45 · Post by **fredp45** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:02 am

RiC -- I get the impression that you think only Canadians know hockey...if that's your reasoning, I'd suggest that only American's know Football..would you like us southerns to teach you a thing or two about football?

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:29 am

fredp45 wrote:RiC -- I get the impression that you think only Canadians know hockey...if that's your reasoning, I'd suggest that only American's know Football..would you like us southerns to teach you a thing or two about football?

... that would mean your frequenting a board that's run by someone who doesn't know anything about the game.

Let's be honest here... there are exceptions to every rule, but for the most part... Americans don't know much about hockey. And Canadians don't know as much about American football.

... but a Canadian's possible lack of football knowledge is rarely put on display at THIS SITE like some American's lack of hockey knowledge was in THIS very thread...

:wink:

fredp45 · Post by **fredp45** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:52 am

Boss -- It takes quite a man to admit his weaknesses...j/k!

I agree, most Americans have not gotten into Hockey. However, if you go to DC, Pitts, Phila, Chicago, Det., Boston, NY -- there are fans in those cities who do know hockey.

It is a super fun sport to watch. It's actually a lot like soccer in many ways. How you attack, how you defend, etc...

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:11 am

admin wrote:RiC, You lost me the moment you said good things about Harry Neale...

I am not sure this is the BEST moment to answer after thre bottles of good stuff. But there is never a perfect moment!

You are right. Our announcers are not perfect NOW. But they have had good games/seasons. Frankly, I have followed games in both English and French, and Ennglish in Canada and the USA. If you do not like the canaidian announcers, you would hate the American ones.

Yes, I have a Habs bias. Yes, some announcers, such as Dic Irving have a Habs bias (that is Montreal for our American friendsas in Habitants in French). I do not like that bias even if it is in favour of MY team.

But I have something to say about OUR announcers in Canada: they know the history of the game. They know the ruls. They respect the game. They are like John Madden sometimes going on their ow prejudices and old stories, but they know the game, which is more than I can say about most American Hockey announcers.

Sorry US fans. Nothing against the US. I love the tradition in Boston. I used to love the tradition in Hartford too. But not ALL US cities are hockey towns. New York can always be counted in to have a following (sometimes smaller or bigger) butnot all towns are hockey towns the way the game is key to Canadian culture from coast to coast to coast (we count the Atlantic, Pacific -and - the Arctic).

Too much alcohol to continue after the HOF news, Sorry. :oops:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 12:15 am

fredp45 wrote:However, if you go to DC, Pitts, Phila, Chicago, Det., Boston, NY -- there are fans in those cities who do know hockey.

True.

In fact, you will find quite a few Canadian fans of the Bruins, BlackHawks, Red Wings and to a lesser extent of other US teams.

I enjoy watching a rival like the Bruins play against Toronto as the next guy. It is not a national thing. It is a fan thing.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:36 am

but they know the game, which is more than I can say about most American Hockey announcers.

I know the key term is most. But if you ever get a chance to listen to Sam Rosen and John Davidson call a Rangers game, they are top notch. I also happen to like Howie Rose who was the longtime voice of the Rangers on the radio, and then the TV commentator for the Islanders.

The Capitals also used to have a guy call their games on the radio who was excellent, but his name escapes me now (Ron Webber?)

fredp45 · Post by **fredp45** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 6:14 pm

Webber is right...I don't live near DC so I'm not sure if he still announces for the Caps...

welch · Post by **welch** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:16 am

Webber was the guy. Leonsis fired him, replacing him with the worst radio announcer I have ever heard...a screamer. Shrieks like a goal has been scored when somebody makes a pass.

Sir_Monk is absolutely right about the Rangers' Sam and JD. A pleasure to watch a game with them.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:39 am

The Caps have an entertaining crew on TV, with Craig Laughlin and Joe Beninati.

tazlah · Post by **tazlah** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:38 am

Redskin in Canada wrote:I am not sure this is the BEST moment to answer after thre bottles of good stuff. But there is never a perfect moment!

You are right. Our announcers are not perfect NOW. But they have had good games/seasons. Frankly, I have followed games in both English and French, and Ennglish in Canada and the USA. If you do not like the canaidian announcers, you would hate the American ones.

Yes, I have a Habs bias. Yes, some announcers, such as Dic Irving have a Habs bias (that is Montreal for our American friendsas in Habitants in French). I do not like that bias even if it is in favour of MY team.

But I have something to say about OUR announcers in Canada: they know the history of the game. They know the ruls. They respect the game. They are like John Madden sometimes going on their ow prejudices and old stories, but they know the game, which is more than I can say about most American Hockey announcers.

Sorry US fans. Nothing against the US. I love the tradition in Boston. I used to love the tradition in Hartford too. But not ALL US cities are hockey towns. New York can always be counted in to have a following (sometimes smaller or bigger) butnot all towns are hockey towns the way the game is key to Canadian culture from coast to coast to coast (we count the Atlantic, Pacific -and - the Arctic).

Too much alcohol to continue after the HOF news, Sorry.

Wow -- the mor yu drink, the werser yur speling. -drinking

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:08 am

tazlah wrote: Wow -- the mor yu drink, the werser yur speling.

Just like the -next- morning and everybody around you reminds you about something not very smart I did the night before. I knew I was going to regret it. :oops:

Do not worry. My wife reminded me about a couple of other ones (gladly with a smile on her face).

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 5:54 pm

Ted Leonsis has a blog. I should email him and ask him what that heck is up with the stupid announcer at the games.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 6:14 pm

I believe you can always email him at washingtoncaps@aol.com.

I emailed him around the time that the team signed Jagr, and he (supposedly) emailed me back 25 minutes later.

I thanked him for trying to improve the team, but that I would always hate Jagr. He thanked me for my candor and appreciated my passion for the team. Said something to the effect of hinking Jagr would help the Caps get over the hump.

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 6:26 pm

Yeah, that worked out wonderfully.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 6:39 pm

It did. It helped them get over the hump and then crash to the pits of dispair. At least that's what I thought he meant.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:47 pm

If I had to think about a US team that has had good players and faced the most adversity and demoralising defeats, it would have to be Washington.

It pains me every time I remember one of those eternal overtime games only to lose in the end. Great teams and bad luck I think. :idea:

patjam77 · Post by **patjam77** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:58 pm

Redskin in Canada wrote:If I had to think about a US team that has had good players and faced the most adversity and demoralising defeats, it would have to be Washington.

It pains me every time I remember one of those eternal overtime games only to lose in the end. Great teams and bad luck I think.

I still remember staying up will 2 in the morning watching the caps and pens... then petr nedved put one past kolzig and i damn near cried like a little school girl.