Kukla's Korner Hockey

When Hockey Is Much More Than Just A Game
by Monica McAlister on 01/02/14 at 11:02 AM 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.
Darren Helm acknowledged my existence..... I love my life.... pic.twitter.com/5NAwo6VAJJ
— Tascherflow (@Taschereau17) January 1, 2014
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.
Michigan tweeps and hockey fans, click on this Getty Images photo. Pure awesome: pic.twitter.com/VPq3Fr9gKR (via: @MattNorlander).
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 2, 2014
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.
Wings and Leafs fans, coexisting. In the name of warmth. #WinterClassic pic.twitter.com/Cjb5X1E6bJ
— Freep Sports (@freepsports) January 1, 2014
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.
How sweet it is: Steve Yzerman takes the ice for the #RedWings one more time. pic.twitter.com/X3oO9ivc2m
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 31, 2013
My favorite picture.. The Russian Five w/ Vladi ❤️ pic.twitter.com/luZCa7lGtU
— Sauce God (@Fuchsiee) December 31, 2013
#16 forever in Detroit #Vladdy pic.twitter.com/tl4mjikLuJ
— Britt Kennedy (@kennedyracing22) January 1, 2014
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.”
Hey @BradGalli, thought you'd like this pic of you watching No. 19 in action tonight. #RedWings pic.twitter.com/45yZpE8gj6
— MiHockey (@MiHockeyNow) January 1, 2014
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

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 11:40 AM ET
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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 12:10 PM ET