NHL Season Countdown 9-5

Continuing on with the countdown, it's going to get a little awkward here.  I'm sure the blog format will make it weird with some posts above others.  Try to follow the headings if you're concerned about that sort of thing.

No 9: A "Murph"

As an avid hockey fan, you know every group has that guy who knows little to nothing about the sport... you know the one that at least once a game on an icing call asks "What was that whistle for?"

While the hockey knowledge may be limited, he's just a hell of a lot of fun to hang out with, especially at a game.  This is a win-win scenario with many benefits.

The game is an event.  While the die hard fan may live or die with the team, the "Murph" lightens the mood instantly.   "Dude that sucks, huh?"  Almost zen-like in ability to allow you to get some perspective after a bad goal or missed chance.  

The "Murph" also brings back that child-like innocence of watching the game without the gravity that we adults tend to place on it.  Turn that 5-0 drubbing your team is getting into a Thanksgiving-like event.  "It's cool to get out and hang.  We should go to more games."  Not to mention the youthful desire to get on the Jumbotron which is always good for a couple of laughs.

And the most important reason to have a "Murph":   He couldn't give a rat's ass about missing the play to go get a couple more beers.  "Hey bro, I'm out. you need one too?"  

Yes I do Murph...  Yes I do.

No 8  The "Hook Up"

In many markets (I'm looking at you Florida) you can just walk up to the rink the day of the game and get tickets.  Here in Boston, that's true for a handful of games a year.  It's not happening for Les Habitants for one thing, and more often than not for any team worth seeing.  Your alternative is to walk around Causeway St. to get tickets from one of any number of shady sources with a "reasonable" mark up from the face value.  The tickets are a better deal once the game starts obviously, but you run the risk of not getting in at all or sitting with your three buddies in opposite corners of the rink and sharing some quality time at the urinals between periods.

Your best bet it to get season tickets.  Obviously not the cheapest method but done right, it is the ultimate "Hook Up."  Get a group of friends to pool tickets so you can get some time with "the guys" at the games as well as provide and outlet for some quality family time at those Saturday afternoon matinee games.  

Just make sure you are at the top of the pecking order with the group so when things such as big rivalry games or playoff tickets come into play, you have the right of first refusal for the seats.

No 7 Hockey Fight Tapes

Yes, I know this is the YouTube era but there is something nostalgic about watching some grainy footage that Gordo in Saskatoon taped off his CBC broadcast back in 1983.  Yes, today's players are bigger, faster and stronger but there were some real tough SOB's back in the day that made it a different game.  

One of the best things about the Fight Tapes is that you can throw them in while hanging out playing cards or such and they provide ample entertainment for hours on end.  

Don't have a VHS?  A good alternative is the Don Cherry DVD's such as Rock Em, Sock Em series.

Disregard the fact his image was taken after a Blake Wheeler hat trick...

No 6  The Toque

If you're not Canadian, or a die hard hockey fan you probably don't quite know what a Toque is... but judging from the picture, you're guessing it's some kind of hat.  Correct!  While the Toque is by definition a particular style of hat, it has been generally accepted in Canada and therefore hockeydom as a colloquialism for a chapeau. 
You can go to the game without one, but beware looking like a fool when a hat trick is scored.   While I can't condone being a Canuck's fan... nucksandpucks over at SB Nation wrote a great Hat Trick Code of Conduct that I recommend reading.

I personally like to support local business  by getting a quality knit hat from the "Five Dollar Hat Guy" for those cold winter game nights.  Besides, I'm sure he's paying the appropriate license fees and sales taxes.

If you don't have access to the ultimate in free enterprise, you can always get your favorite team toque online.

 No 5 Someone to Hate

PK Subban, Douche of renowned proportion

 Your team doesn't play every night.  Even in the shortened 48 game season, there will be nights that your guys are not on, but you want to watch a game and at least root 'against' someone.  There are teams you can root against naturally, but it is much more fun if you can have a particular player or two to despise. 

Realistically, no hero is worth much of anything without a villain. I mean Batman Begins was just OK because the villain was meh.  Add a manic depressive drug addled lead and give him the nemesis role and The Dark Knight Trilogy comes to life.  This year is a carry over for me with P.K. Subban once again playing the lead.  He's not evil by any stretch of the imagination, just a colossal punk.
Even his brother Malcolm, recently drafted by the Bruins said "I don’t know if he’s gonna like me too much, but to be honest, I never liked him that much."