For non-hockey fans, you can not understand the game that took place last night here in Dallas. Hockey fans, it was incredible. I stayed up until 1:30am watching Game 6 of the Dallas-San Jose playoff game. Thankfully the Stars won in the 4th OT, because if they had not, I would not have been happy about losing that much sleep.
Anyways, as I drove back from a work trip today I thought about the game I watched last night and came to the conclusion that playoff hockey in OT can not be matched by the other major sports. Here's why:
1. In baseball, if you head into extra innings, there is a chance (if you are the home team) where you will get another shot at scoring in the bottom half of the inning. Not the case in hockey. Now don't get me wrong...a walk-off HR or game winning hit is very exciting.
2. In basketball, it is all time-related. You know when the game is going to end. When the clock hits zero, game over. Once again, a game winning shot is either glorious or an absolute dagger in your heart. In hockey, the game can end at any point in OT.
3. In football, you usually have a drive down the field that then leads to a game-winning field goal or TD. Extremely exciting, however, you usually get a sense that its going to happen.
Here is why hockey is the best...First score wins and in the playoffs, there is no shootout and you play until someone scores. Last night Stars goalie, Marty Turco stopped 61 out of 62 shots. That is unbelievable. I have never seen so many incredible saves with the game on the line than I did last night. The Sharks goalie was equally impressive, including making the most amazing save I have ever seen. Here is the thing, imagine knowing that at anytime, with any shot, your team could win and move on or lose and have your season done. Every shot on goal (for either team) is torture. Think of how you feel when your favorite football team is about to kick the game winning FG...that is how you feel EVERY time a shot is taken. One second you are cheering because of a great play, and the next you are absolutely deflated as the other team scores and the game is over.
I love hockey.
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
2 comments:
hockey is for d-bags. j/k...j/k...
we all need to note that this is coming from a twins fan. so, his outlook on baseball would be so glum, therefor choosing hockey as the better sport.
im so getting beat up for this comment.
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