Ice hockey....worth going to?

[rich_leeds64]

I went for the first time ever on 9th December just gone. The mighty Leeds Sharks who play next to the park and ride on Elland Rd took on Telford. Wasn’t sure if I’d like it but went with an open mind and tbh it was pretty good. It would’ve helped if I’d known the rules as there’s a lot of stoppages. The Sharks went 0-2 down but ran out 5-2 winners to go back to the top of the league.
One or two things to consider, although it’s indoors , it’s very cold. Get seats further back so you can see above the protective Perspex as it mists up during the game. With lots of stoppages, the game can go on far longer than anticipated.
I’d certainly go again.

[BobHirst]

I've been to a couple of Dallas Stars games but that was enough. The first game I went to I took my 8 ish year old son and his friend. They were playing the LA Kings and Gretsky was their star player. OK they kicked off (pucked off?) and a Dallas player and a LA player threw their gloves and sticks to the floor and began punching the crap out of each other. Obviously they must have had a history! Both penalized and both teams were a man down for a couple of minutes.
The puck moved so fast that a lot of the time I had no idea where it was. The only reason I knew a team had scored was because the red light on the net went on and the players held their arms and sticks in the air.
The game was very start and stop. The puck was continually brought back from one end to the other for "face offs" the hockey equivalent I suppose to a rugby scrum but only consisting of 2 men. Play was halted a lot. On top of this the game was on TV, so the game would stop for game related issues but then would be delayed for a couple of minutes for TV commercials. If they didn't stop the game enough for fouls etc then they would call TV time outs so they could show all their scheduled commercials. There were three 20 minute periods with two 15 minute intervals while they refreshed the ice. I'd say that the game took about 3 hours to complete.
Teams have their enforcers whose job it is to foul the other teams skillful players. However they are not allowed to hit Gretsky or Mike Modano (the Stars star player at the time) otherwise everyone (players on the ice and subs on the bench) have to jump on the ice and start punching the first person they can get to on the other team. After that, the player who made the foul and the opponent who punched some one first have to sit in the penalty box for 2 minutes.
For me hockey and American football are boring in real life but better on TV where you can watch the replays of what just happened while the real game is being held up for whatever reason that it is.

[JoeDenver]

Never been to a game but have an opportunity over the Xmas period

Anyone ever been to a game?

Worth going?

Which game are you attending? I occasionally attend Avalanche games here in Denver and used to occasionally attend Capitals games when I lived in DC. Have had the chance to see Stanley Cup winning teams in their title winning years (most recently the Avalanche two seasons ago). Like most sports, there’s an aura about the crowds in those environments…everyone senses the team is on the verge of something great.

Regarding the game itself, as several have noted, it is fast paced and end to end. The puck can be tricky to keep track of at times, but player movements can help in relocating its location rather quickly. The game has its own unique offsides rule that I’ll let you have fun figuring out . Clearing the puck from one end to the other is known as “icing” and will result in a faceoff back in the end from where it was cleared. And a lot of goals are scored on “power plays” where a team has an advantage while a player (or players) is sitting in the penalty box to serve time for an infraction/foul. Those are the main key points. Hope you enjoy yourself!

[White Riot]

Obviously happened recently too

It's extremely rare, but unfortunately can happen.

The one with Clint was on live TV, he was extremely lucky that the right guy was there to save his life and had saved other lives in Nam, in similar situations.

There was another guy had his throat cut playing hockey and he survived too. But that was horrible what happened to the guy recently.

[Leighton]

Which game are you attending? I occasionally attend Avalanche games here in Denver and used to occasionally attend Capitals games when I lived in DC. Have had the chance to see Stanley Cup winning teams in their title winning years (most recently the Avalanche two seasons ago). Like most sports, there’s an aura about the crowds in those environments…everyone senses the team is on the verge of something great.

Regarding the game itself, as several have noted, it is fast paced and end to end. The puck can be tricky to keep track of at times, but player movements can help in relocating its location rather quickly. The game has its own unique offsides rule that I’ll let you have fun figuring out . Clearing the puck from one end to the other is known as “icing” and will result in a faceoff back in the end from where it was cleared. And a lot of goals are scored on “power plays” where a team has an advantage while a player (or players) is sitting in the penalty box to serve time for an infraction/foul. Those are the main key points. Hope you enjoy yourself!

MK lightening is the game in the Elite league (top league here).....nearly sold out too so atmosphere should be good

Thanks for the update tips....I was worried that wouldn't be able to see the puck as you say but looks exciting to watch and looking forward to it

[Leighton]

I went for the first time ever on 9th December just gone. The mighty Leeds Sharks who play next to the park and ride on Elland Rd took on Telford. Wasn’t sure if I’d like it but went with an open mind and tbh it was pretty good. It would’ve helped if I’d known the rules as there’s a lot of stoppages. The Sharks went 0-2 down but ran out 5-2 winners to go back to the top of the league.
One or two things to consider, although it’s indoors , it’s very cold. Get seats further back so you can see above the protective Perspex as it mists up during the game. With lots of stoppages, the game can go on far longer than anticipated.
I’d certainly go again.

I'll get my long johns on!!

[rich_leeds64]

MK lightening is the game in the Elite league (top league here).....nearly sold out too so atmosphere should be good

Thanks for the update tips....I was worried that wouldn't be able to see the puck as you say but looks exciting to watch and looking forward to it

I’ve just read this thread again and realised I must have had a bit too much to drink when I posted as it’s the Leeds Knights and not Sharks!!!, they’re in the same league as MK lightning who are currently top but Leeds have 3 games in hand

[John in Louisiana]

Never been to a game but have an opportunity over the Xmas period

Anyone ever been to a game?

Worth going?

In a word, yes. Much better in person than on television.

[BobHirst]

In a word, yes. Much better in person than on television.

It just shows how people see the same thing differently.
It's the opposite for me.

[Leighton]

I’ve just read this thread again and realised I must have had a bit too much to drink when I posted as it’s the Leeds Knights and not Sharks!!!, they’re in the same league as MK lightning who are currently top but Leeds have 3 games in hand

A knight would beat a shark in a fight

[Muppet the Cat]

A knight would beat a shark in a fight

Not if they were in the sea

[Muppet the Cat]

I've been to a couple of Dallas Stars games but that was enough. The first game I went to I took my 8 ish year old son and his friend. They were playing the LA Kings and Gretsky was their star player. OK they kicked off (pucked off?) and a Dallas player and a LA player threw their gloves and sticks to the floor and began punching the crap out of each other. Obviously they must have had a history! Both penalized and both teams were a man down for a couple of minutes.
The puck moved so fast that a lot of the time I had no idea where it was. The only reason I knew a team had scored was because the red light on the net went on and the players held their arms and sticks in the air.
The game was very start and stop. The puck was continually brought back from one end to the other for "face offs" the hockey equivalent I suppose to a rugby scrum but only consisting of 2 men. Play was halted a lot. On top of this the game was on TV, so the game would stop for game related issues but then would be delayed for a couple of minutes for TV commercials. If they didn't stop the game enough for fouls etc then they would call TV time outs so they could show all their scheduled commercials. There were three 20 minute periods with two 15 minute intervals while they refreshed the ice. I'd say that the game took about 3 hours to complete.
Teams have their enforcers whose job it is to foul the other teams skillful players. However they are not allowed to hit Gretsky or Mike Modano (the Stars star player at the time) otherwise everyone (players on the ice and subs on the bench) have to jump on the ice and start punching the first person they can get to on the other team. After that, the player who made the foul and the opponent who punched some one first have to sit in the penalty box for 2 minutes.
For me hockey and American football are boring in real life but better on TV where you can watch the replays of what just happened while the real game is being held up for whatever reason that it is.

Come on, Bob………..Gretzky

[Leighton]

Not if they were in the sea

[BobHirst]

Come on, Bob………..Gretzky

Actually he hardly did anything. Off night I suppose.

[Sean_Nile]

The one good thing about football that in recent memory there are no strong arm tactics like there is in hockey

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[mentalcase]

Just been watching ice hockey in dubai tonight, not ad good as I've seen in Belfast but made a change.