Jan 19: Go Sens Go!

I went to watch the Ottawa Senators (Sens) play the Vancouver Canucks at Scotiabank Place this evening. Paul Vallee managed to secure us some cool seats just by the glass (well, fortunately it's plastic of some kind, or there would be serious injuries). It's difficult to do the whole experience justice when I'm tired and I can't seem to find many of the photos on my camera (but I'm sure Alex Gorbachev will help out there), but here are a few lingering thoughts.

  • Like most sports, watching Ice Hockey live is a very different and more rewarding experience than watching it on TV. It's faster, tougher and I can manage to follow the puck!
  • If the thought of a beer swings it in favour of TV for you, worry not. If a waitress can bring beer orders during the game, everything is ok.
  • Those chaps are seriously fit, demonstrate obvious skill with minimum egotistical nonsense (although a few more fights wouldn't have gone amiss) and, laughably simplistic though I know this is, their skating has to be seen to be believed. I know it's an obvious pre-requisite skill, but how in the name of some great god or other do they manage to fight, barge and dribble without looking at least slightly off-balance occasionally? I mean, if someone barges me like that when I'm wearing snow-shoes (and I really must buy myself a pair), I'm still going to fall over.
  • You're allowed to go outside to smoke in the breaks.
  • Seeing the players or the puck hit the plastic walls (and each other) makes you flinch.
  • There's a hockey song. Paul's son, Felix, taught me it before dinner last week, although I think Stompin Tom sings the definitive version.
  • Really, it was a fantastic experience but, best of all, they have a mascot - a lion - who walks round the crowd shooting free hotdogs out of a cannon.
I rest my case
Posted by Doug Burns Comments: (10) Trackbacks: (0)

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#1 - Howard Rogers said:
2007-01-19 06:32 - (Reply)

Good to hear you're starting to settle in!

We used to have "beer wenches" in Oz, too, until the PC brigade deemed them too non-PC. That, and the fact that hundreds of grown Aussie men chundering at the cricket didn't look so hot on the tourist ads. :-)

Can you really call an Ice Hockey player a "chap" and come out alive afterwards?!

Snow?? What's that then???!

#2 - Doug Burns said:
2007-01-19 14:04 - (Reply)

That, and the fact that hundreds of grown Aussie men chundering at the cricket didn't look so hot on the tourist ads. :-)

Well, they had girls who swept up the loose ice, but you had to be there to appreciate it fully!

Can you really call an Ice Hockey player a "chap" and come out alive afterwards?!

I made sure I left the arena first. Next, I plan to leave Canada. Quickly!

#3 - Glenn 2007-01-19 14:19 - (Reply)

I LOVE hockey for those reasons you mention and more. I tend to like sports that require real teamwork to succeed. None of that "we are bigger then the sport" attitude that are appearing too often in most other sports too.

Keep an eye out for games on TV using the camera mounted on the glass. It is remote controlled and runs up and down the ice with the players. An incredible view and really shows off the skating ability and speed even more so then being at the game!

Unfortunately, it is only available at certain arenas as a certain type of glass set up is needed (I think the newer arenas have them).

At Devil games, and some minor league games Ive been to, they do not use he cannon but have these huge rubber bands (mega-bands?) Besides hot dogs, they toss tee shirts too.

#4 - Bill S. 2007-01-19 14:48 - (Reply)

Ahhhh, another convert. :-D

Hockey is a great game. I'm so glad we Yanks stole it from the Canucks. Otherwise, I'd have to move to Canada. I might anyway.

;-D

Bill S.

#5 - Ferrari 2007-01-19 14:50 - (Reply)

What was the score?

Or was that not relevant.....

#6 - Doug Burns said:
2007-01-19 14:55 - (Reply)

The Senators lost 1-2. I think I left that out deliberately ;-)

#7 - Robert V said:
2007-01-19 15:41 - (Reply)

Damnit Doug! It's not "ice hockey" it's "hockey". Everyone else got it right in the comments ...

http://vollman.blogspot.com/2006/11/hockey.html

And Bill, I think the favourite US-stolen Canadian sports are probably still basketball and football, but hockey's catching on ...

#8 - Doug Burns said:
2007-01-19 15:51 - (Reply)

Yes, Rob, I know. I used the term ice hockey deliberately to a) highlight the fact that there are other type of hockey, in other countries and b) so that you could make that comment ;-)

#9 - Bill S. 2007-01-19 20:14 - (Reply)

Yes Robert, but not MY favorites. ;-D

Doug, I can attest to the fact that is quite a bit harder to play than it appears. These guys make it look easy.

Bill S.

#10 - Peter K said:
2007-01-19 22:32 - (Reply)

That's great that you managed to attend a NHL game. I was watching that game too (on TV) and the Canucks were lucky to win that one (no shots on goal in the 3rd period).

Doug, have to be careful about sitting by the glass as they can and do break (safety tempered glass). At least you don't really have to worry about pucks being shot into the seats.

Bill S,
NJ Devils, eh? ...one of the best goaltender in the league.


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