Kukla's Korner

Kukla's Korner Hockey

When Hockey Is Much More Than Just A Game

by Monica McAlister on 01/02/14 at 12:02 PM ET
Comments (2)

We often hear various versions of how hockey is just a game.

That these players should let go of some of their egos because they are playing a kids game for a living that people become too passionate about JUST a game; but hockey is much more than just a game.

Hockey is a business, and the 2014 Winter Classic can be counted as a success. Taking an extra year to finally play it was everything any fan could have hoped for. Except maybe Red Wings fans – they would have liked that extra point with a win.

Wither your team won, lost or wasn’t even playing the NHL created an event that dissolved fan loyalty lines and made everyone just hockey fans.

Hockey brings people together. Even those from Toronto and Detroit that should hate one another as their teams are battling for the two wild card positions in the East could come together to celebrate the storied past of their Original Six teams on the biggest stage the NHL has seen.

Toronto and Detroit celebrated their storied past throughout the week in Ann Arbor and Detroit with moments that made the past week way more than just a game and anymore more than just a fan.

Walking out of The Big House last night Maple Leaf and Red Wings fans were still chirping at one another. As a Toronto fans commented on their Winter Classic win the Detroit fan responded, “You can have the one extra point. We got to see Steve Yzerman play one last time.”

The last week was Detroit and Ann Arbor’s way of showcasing and reminding us all that in many ways hockey is much more than just a game.

Filed in: | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: detroit+red+wings, russian+five, toronto+maple+leafs, winter+classic

Comments

igrover's avatar

If you look closely at Helm’s glove cuff you can see it has “WC 2014 #43” embroidered on it.

If those ever show up for sale somewhere they will command a large sum of money.

Posted by igrover on 01/02/14 at 01:10 PM ET

TreKronor's avatar

Really nice compilation Monica. 

Personally, I had good experiences (for the most part) with the Toronto fans.  They weren’t overly obnoxious, and seemed pretty respectful.  I stopped into Tim Hortons after the game and it was filled with Toronto fans; I spoke to a few for a while, and they were really respectful and fun people. 

Hockey is more than a game, and sometimes there is downright hatred involved.  But there also are great times where fans of opposing teams can get together a celebrate a great occasion and an excellent game - I think that’s what happened on Wednesday.

Posted by TreKronor on 01/03/14 at 12:40 PM ET

Add a Comment

Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.

Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.

Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.

Smileys
 @ 
<a>
Close Tags

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Feed

Most Recent Blog Posts

Evening Line- Bob McKenzie

There Will Be No Bodychecking In The OHL

Looking Into The Future

2020 HHOF Class Will Be Honored Next Year

Seasonal Tales

TSN Insiders Tonight

Travis Roy Has Passed Away

Arizona Coyotes Renounce The Rights To Mitchell Miller

Dale Tallon Cleared Of Allegations Against Him

Pat Maroon And Luke Schenn Staying With The Tampa Bay Lightning

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at pk@kuklaskorner.com