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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

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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.

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