Hockey is growing on me, and it’s not hard to see why. There are so many wonderful and absolutely adrenaline-rushing things about the sport that you can hardly take your eyes off the screen. The puck moves so fast and the announcers are constantly rambling names and actions that you don’t want to miss a second. You just don’t get that with other sports. Here are the five things that make hockey, hockey.
Doc Emrick. Forget about wanting Morgan Freeman to narrate your life. Having Mike “Doc” Emrick narrate my life would be the most exciting and exhilarating experience. I could buy a coffee at Starbucks and it would seem like the coolest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve only ever taken an interest in hockey when it was playoff time, because I could just sit and listen to the constant play-by-play of Doc Emrick as he narrated the fastest-moving sport in America.
The atmosphere. In every sport, there is nothing like the atmosphere of a home playoff game. The MLB has fireworks for a walk-off win and the NFL/NBA shoot streamers and confetti everywhere. But the NHL just seems so much more pure and adrenaline-rushing. Not much can top the combination of the announcer excitement, the crowd yelling and jumping, and the constant blaring of the buzzer when the puck hits the net.
The buzzer. Speaking of the buzzer, there’s just nothing like it in any other sport. The NBA plays music during the games, the MLB has the organist and the NFL has touchdown music. But in an arena surrounded by 19,000 people, the buzzer that blares when a goal is scored is deafening. The fans bang on the boards behind the players as they embrace in the chaos. That’s kind of what it seems like when the home team scores a goal--chaos.
The hard hitting. BAM. CRASH. And maybe a left upper cut mixed in. I may not understand what a cross check is, but hockey is a contact sport and everyone loves it. In an age of increased concern over concussions, hockey players are still protected by rules and high sticking calls. Contact in other sports merits penalties and sometimes even fines--but not in hockey. Hit away, and heck, if you’re mad enough, just hit the person closest to you. The refs might let you duke it out. Plus, the fans will be right behind you.
The speed. Hockey is the fastest-moving major professional sport in America--by a long shot. The only breaks in the action you get are the occasional television timeout and the intermissions between periods. Other than that, it’s constant action. The puck moves so fast along the ice that watching it on television can sometimes be impossible. But don’t worry--Doc and the crew of announcers calling the games have your back. The quick and witty color commentary cover the fastest sport in the most exciting way possible.
Give hockey a chance. There is something about the game that keeps me locked in every time a game is on. If you’re new to hockey, playoff time is the time to watch it. Tune into NBC one night and listen to the wonderful Doc Emrick narrate the chaotic and blood-pumping game that is hockey. If you need any further convincing, here is one of the greatest moments in hockey history--from just two years ago. Take it away, Doc!
