I had the great pleasure while working in the States this week of seeing the first of the Tampa Bay Lightning v Chicago Black Hawks Stanley Cup series on TV in an excellent micro brewery bar, with plenty of Black Hawks fans. The bar had no food, the fans encouraged me to tuck into the roast potatoes, salad and six roast chickens that they had brought in for the game (to be fair one of them is a good friend of mine, I wasn't a complete stranger), thus winning my undying loyalty to their team. I know close to nothing about ice hockey, but I think this would be my sport if I lived in the States. I was told that these teams play fast, attacking hockey, and they delivered on that. The last time I took an interest was a few years ago when the Boston - Vancouver final was on while I was working in Toronto, when after a rocky start, Boston psyched out Vancouver by using judicious violence that their opponents over reacted to. Pre match controversy was Tampa's attempt to ban Hawks colours in their stadium. Huge cheer in the bar to see red Hawks shirts scattered throughout the seats. No fan segregation, no away fans ticket allocation. Ended Tampa 1 Hawks 2 (2 very late goals), so everyone in the bar went home happy. Next game tomorrow night - any one got an idea if it's broadcast here at all?
Did you see who scored the equaliser and assist for the winner for Blackhawks?? Yep, Teuvo Teräväinen from Fiiinlaand!!!!
Certainly did mate. Also noticed the universal heavy beards amongst the player due to the 'tradition' of not shaving once they get to the play offs.
Yes, the not shaving theme has been on for decades. Here in Finland too. Do you know Canada and Finland are probably only two countries where icehockey is number 1 sport!
Talking of Ice Hockey, I remember watching the Streatham Redskins way back in the early 70s when they were the top British team but we were light years behind the NHL...
Here comes the kiss of death for the Black Hawks - I'm supporting them (Patrick Kane played here in London Ontario for a couple of years prior to making into the NHL). Actually my interest in hockey has dropped a bit over the last few years (I know, what kind of Canadian am I?) - but I was very happy that Canada won the world championship - first time in a while (since 2007) that we'd won it
That was relatively expensive for me. For Hertha Berlin it was a couple of friendly local fans showing us where to get ludicrously cheap beer on the way to the stadium. Likewise, AC Milan - I went to a dire pre season Milan derby 'friendly' (0-0) was taken to an AC Milan bar beforehand, good blokes, decision made (good call in that case in 1988). Still, probably better to select your non genetically/geographically hard wired in sports support by fan quality than team performance, the bastards will always let you down eventually, it's important to find people you like to be wound up by the team/manager/owners alongside. For individual sports I'll go by character (favourite golfer - Jiminez, favourite tennis player - no one).
Massive ice hockey fan, been a Devils supporter since I was young. Rooting for Tampa to win as the 'Triplets' line has been the best line in the NHL this season IMO. Kane and Toews when at their best are simply unstoppable however. No idea where to watch in the UK, believe a channel called 'Premier Sports' or something like that show matches, costs a bit though.
Cheers Grinners. Seeing as the games don't start until 1 in the morning for us, I may be seeking highlights somewhere.
Columbus Blue Jackets man myself. Been to see them twice. ("Stanley Cup". Appropriately named thread for the OP)
Do you have a family connection to this NHL team in the States Swords? You no doubt remember Flyer on here. please log in to view this image I don't really follow NHL much these days, but when I first arrived in Vancouver in 1976 I had free Canucks tickets available to me and got to see Bobby Orr play there. I bought an Atlanta Thrashers NHL branded XXL sweatshirt very cheaply on eBay ($19) since that team is now defunct - excellent to wear when shovelling snow here in winter. These hockey sweatshirts last forever - my previous one, a bit ragged now is 20 years old.
When I moved to the U.S. for four and a half years, the ice hockey was the first sport I connected with; enjoying the pace, action (and the gloves off fights) and the simple connection of goals and keepers was the nearest to footie you could get at the time. The pace on TV was fast, but nothing like a real live game - amazing! Being in New Jersey, had to be a NJ Devils fan - all helped that they were riding high with great players (Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Neidermeyer, Elias, Holik). Great fun!! Enjoy the rest of the series.
