Today’s Reason You Love Hockey is brought to us by Katebits, author of the fantastic (non-hockey… for now) blog Oh For Fun. She’s new to our fine sport, but what she might lack in experience with hockey, she more than makes up for in passion and intuition. We’re honored that she’s chosen IPB as one of the places to learn about hockey and hope that we don’t let her down when the season finally starts up again. It will start up again right? Right now it feels so far away… Anyway, there is still plenty of time to submit your reason you love hockey. Just email us at interchangeablepartsblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
Momentum
As many of you know, I am a very new hockey fan. In my entire life I would estimate that I have watched less than twenty-five hockey games total, but from the very first game I ever watched, I’ve been mesmerized by the momentum. At the risk of sounding unforgivably cheesy, sometimes watching hockey feels like watching a gathering storm. The momentum towards a goal can build gradually, or it can strike suddenly, but always there is a sense of flow. The momentum can shift dramatically and quickly during a game, but always there is a palpable turning point. Even without knowing any of the rules, I find the flow of hockey engaging and easy to follow. I still don’t always see the puck, but I can always feel who is controlling the momentum.
I know the exact moment that my interest in hockey went from “enthusiastic” to “rabid”. It was Game 5 against the Rangers in the second round of the this year’s playoffs. Drury had already scored the miracle tying goal to send the game into overtime, and the Sabres undeniably had the momentum. As the team flew down the rink during the game’s last moments, I actually whispered aloud under my breath “He’s about to score” a split second before Maxium Afinogenov slapped in the game winner. I have no idea what subtle clues of the game I was picking up on in that last minute of overtime, but I could taste that goal coming.
Hockey has a pulse and a rhythm that even the most unseasoned fan can feel.
