It's hockey season - does anyone care?

[Craig S.]

I love the NHL, and I love hockey, but I know that its TV ratings are abysmal. Is it simply that it doesn't translate well to television (small puck, speed of the game), or is it that people just don't care about the game? I don't know how anyone can't love the sound of blades on ice, or the smell of freshly cleaned ice, but that's probably from spending countless hours in arenas as a kid.

I always hear references to the "4 major leagues," but I wonder if hockey even merits inclusion on that list anymore. Really, it could probably be replaced by NASCAR without too many people caring. I have several friends who weren't big on the sport until I took them to games. Live, you can really appreciate the speed, skill, and the "bigger picture", in that you can see the whole ice to gain an appreciation of the constant flow.

I've got my Center Ice package ordered, and I can't wait for the season to start. I'm just wondering - do you think it will ever gain more of a foothold in the national consciousness than it now has?

[SmedIndy]

Hockey will never be more than a niche sport - although it deserves better.

It is the 4th major - and deserves to be noted - but in non NHL markets no one cares, and that's the big problem.

[KCBOOMER]

No.

[spitball]

Hockey is just flat out exciting in person. But it's at LEAST 75% less exciting on TV if you don't follow the sport regularly.
Through my wife's work we used to get killer seats behind the visitors penalty box for Kings games at the Forum. What a thrill to hear the players going at it and seeing the action in person you get a better idea how fast these guys are skating .
On one of our first "dates" my wife was over at the house watching the Kings play....I forget. Anyway the Kings scored a game winning goal in overtime.
My wife went flying over the coffee table, sliding on her knees and yelling, "YESSSSSS!!!!".
That made me like hockey alot. And Her!!!!

[moose]

i dont follow hockey that closely. that is, i love the rangers, and enjoy watching them play, but i dont scrutinize it like i do mlb, and to a lesser extent NFL.

that said, i LOVE watching hockey, on TV or in person. really exciting game, always moving, very physical (but not the fighting, that's stupid).

i'm a big fan of actually watching hockey! (and lax)

[rcartman28]

Hockey is much, much better watched in person than on television. As for the NHL, I lost almost all of my interest when the North Stars moved from here to Dallas. They've been replaced here by the Wild and are very popular here in St. Paul, but I just cannot get the least bit excited about them. Plus, ticket prices more than doubled when they came here. The same thing would have happened to me about MLB had the Twins been contracted. The only games I will watch in person this season are some of the games of the Wisconsin-River Falls women's team because I work with two of the members of that team at Target.....

[Skip]

I enjoy hockey in person too, but dont follow it at all otherwise other than during the playoffs. I went to many games in Cincy as a kid when they had a AHL/WHL/??? team. We've had a number of minor league teams here, but they've all folded after a few years. The most recent was the (equivalent of) AAA team for the Florida Panthers; they shut down after the 2000-1 season and the primary owner skipped town leaving a lot of bills and broken promises behind.

[pathogan]

...I really dont get why it isnt bigger, these guys are incredibly skilled and tough! No athletes are tougher then hocky players,cetainly not in the "major 4." It certainly plays better on Tv than Baseball, or football[unless you are watching game films, the angle of football is too scoped}I do not understand why it's not more popular?I ask myself the same questions about Jazz. Makes no sense...

[tortured angel]

Hockey is my savior between November and April. Football is only on weekends and I can't get excited about basketball anymore. I think the biggest issue with watching on tv is the breaks between periods. Too much time to channel surf.

[Craig S.]

From what I've seen on here, it looks like most people agree that a lot hockey's lack of popularity is due to how badly it plays on TV as compared to in-person. I agree, but of course I'll continue to watch games every night.

I've got the fever so bad right now that I went out late Wednesday night to watch a scrimmage involving a woman's team my wife plays on. Please, God, let Cincinnati get an NHL team.

[TGwynn19]

I am a fan of live hockey. We have a minor league team here and it is fun to go to those games.

I simply cannot understand why hockey players cannot stay on the ice for more than 3 minuets at a time.

[Skip]

Originally posted by TGwynn19
I simply cannot understand why hockey players cannot stay on the ice for more than 3 minuets at a time.

Imagine how ice dancers feel! <read quote again slowly>

[TGwynn19]

Originally posted by Skip
Imagine how ice dancers feel! <read quote again slowly>

I spelled that word 5 different ways and still could not get it right.

I had 180 seconds typed in once.....should have left it in!

[NCFella19]

I will watch it..........live.

I'll catch a game or two over in Raleigh for the defending Eastern Conference champs, but I'll really watch more of a boatload here in Greensboro for ECHL minor league games. Many more opportunities to get great seats behind the bench for under $20 here than what that same money will get you at an NHL game.

But I won't get all stat-crazy or salivate when it's on TV or anything. It's MUCH more of a live-action sport.

Pardon the following

Originally posted by rcartman28
...because I work with two of the members of that team at Target.

Ahhh, a fellow Targeteer! T1078.RX is my home away from home, RC!

We now resume your regularly scheduled topic of "It's hockey season -- does anyone care?" below.

[Craig S.]

Originally posted by TGwynn19
I am a fan of live hockey. We have a minor league team here and it is fun to go to those games.

I simply cannot understand why hockey players cannot stay on the ice for more than 3 minuets at a time.

Have you ever played? I can tell you that, for a forward, 90 seconds without a whistle will usually leave you needing a breather. Skating takes a lot out of you, especially if you're changing direction, or starting and stopping. Once you pick and speed and start coasting, it's not so bad, but you don't much chance to do that in a game. Defenesemen have it somewhat easier, since they can "stay at home" a little more.

Players can certainly stay on for longer periods of time, but you really do lose your effectiveness. It's like doing sprints, then taking a break.