There is the level of the recreational league players--Jack had a friend who played on offense (trying to score) because he couldn't skate backwards, and you had to be able to skate backwards to play defense.
Then there is the level of minor league players--like the Grizzzz. Those guys can skate both directions and if you're lucky, you'll get free tickets on the front row so you can bang on the boards (the glass around the rink) whenever the players are in your vicinity.
There is regular NHL hockey--those guys skate so fast it makes the other levels look like they are standing still, or maybe skating backwards.
And then there is NHL playoff hockey. I know, you've probably grown up thinking that hockey is all about the fights. A bunch of big, white, padded guys with sticks who occasionally score between fights. But that isn't playoff hockey. Playoff hockey is truly the best hockey. And it doesn't matter which teams are playing. They are the best. They can skate and change directions and score or be on offense or defense at any time. Typically they skate for less than 30 seconds per shift and then leave the ice and a teammate takes their place for 30 seconds and you might think, they only skate for 30 seconds at a time? But that is because they are skating so hard and so fast that it is exhausting. And they are average size guys who must be in incredible shape to be able to play at this level. And while there is the occasional fight or illegal hit, most of the time, hockey players ref themselves--after all, they all have sticks so things are kind of evened out.
One of my favorite times in NHL playoffs is when there are three minutes left in a game and one team is behind by one or two points so they send their goalie off the ice, and if they work it right, get a penalty on the other team so they have a two-man advantage and the possibility of an easier score. Or the other team has the possibility of scoring on an empty net.
When Jack and I first started watching hockey, some of the players still played without helmets. (Seriously. No helmets.) The refs didn't wear helmets either. Before too many seasons, all of the players and all of the refs but one were wearing helmets. That ref's name was Fraser. And his hair was so completely covered with 'product' that it looked like he was wearing a helmet even though he wasn't. This picture doesn't really do him justice. But it does show how involved he gets in his job. And gives a good look at why fans love to hate him.
And hockey games continue until one team wins. Sudden death overtime. During the seventh game of one of the games leading up to the Stanley Cup playoffs in 1987, the game continued for 68 minutes of overtime--eight minutes into the fourth overtime. It went on for so long that one of the broadcasters got a bit loopy and started removing his clothing, even wearing his tie on his head--you can check it out here. Okay, maybe you had to be there...silly Bill Clement.
Anyway, if you haven't watched hockey, you are missing a great game. It is a team sport. The refs treat all of the players the same. No 'kobe rules' and 'everybody else rules'. There is no place for the in-your-face punkism that rules the NBA and NFL. (Yes, I am old school.) And at the end of the playoffs, the teams line up and shake hands with each other.
And finally, if none of these things have convinced you that you should watch some playoff hockey, do it for the names. Where else will you hear an announcer introduce Nikolai Khabibulin--which is, right now, my favorite NHL name.
Okay, everybody say it with me: Nick-O-Lie Khab-E-Bull-On. Make sure you get that throat-clearing Khab sound.
Yes, playoff hockey is the best.
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