"I love hockey ball!"

Actually, "I love playing hockey ball." That's what Lucy says when she straps on ice skates for the first time and plays with the boys. She never actually manages to hit the puck with her stick but in the process of trying, knocks all the other players off their feet. I realized very early that that's what hockey ball is all about.

You can see it on gocomics.com, Peanuts for February 1, 1968. (Couldn't generate a gif to copy.)

I watched my first hockey game in a very long time tonight. Florida came back late to avoid going into a 3-0 hole against Vegas. And just like in every other game that hinges on the decisions of referees, there was a butchered call that (rather than the actions of the players) nearly decided the game. Good times! Vegas fans/bettors lost 193.6 squidillion bucks on that one.

I must say the game was fun to watch. And of course, in those two iconic birthplaces of hockey, Miami and Las Vegas, where from time immemorial, kids have greeted the arrival of winter by strapping on their ice skates and playing in the, uh...sand, I guess...the fan base appears to be full of energy and beer. Really, those poor Canadians must be feeling a little sick right now, eh?

I wonder what it's like to attend a VGK game, where it's of course quite cold inside, and then go outside into the pizza oven. That's what, a 60+-degree temperature change? GAAH!

Kevin, you should attend a game next season. The energy is electric inside TMobile, otherwise known as "The Fortress". Friend of mine has season tickets seven rows from the glass. Get to a couple of games each season.

Personally, I'm very glad the VGK was formed. It renewed my interest in the game. Grew up in NYC and rooted for the Rangers. Moved out to Long Island and it was the Islanders. Moved to Jersey and it was the Devils.

Just to show my advanced years, when I started rooting for the NY Rangers, there were only SIX teams in the league. We went to the old Madison Square Garden (50th & 8th) on Sunday's when they were home. Got in for cheap showing our school ID. The only sellout was when Montreal was in town.

I've always found hockey to be the most fun of all the pro sports to watch.    Especially during the playoffs.  

Players tend to be mindful of their bodies during the 100 game regular season so as to avoid injury.   Every time you block a shot its like getting hit by a pitch in baseball....so they tend not to voluntarily beat themselves up too much.  Once the playoffs start its a whole other sport.   Blocked shots, harder checks, lots of physical fighting for the puck in the corners.       Thats why the fast skating, goal-scoring teams kick butt in the regular season - and the slow, physical goon-hockey teams kick butt in the playoffs.

Nobody watches hockey in Indianapolis which makes it hard to be a fan.  None of the bars show the games.   Something I miss dearly from my childhood living in Buffalo.

PJ, I'm having breafast this Sunday with one of my Vegas trip buddies during my trip back home in the NW Suburbs of Chicago.  His nephew is Vinnie Hinostroza who plays for the Sabres.  He's pretty much a role player getting 10-15 minutes per game of ice time.  He is pulling down $1.7 million, so he won't starve, but certainly not a star.

Nice...I havent watched much NHL the last few years.  The Sabres havent had a good team in a while.   Thinking about adopting St Louis as a Hockey destination.  Its only 4 hours away and they have a good fan base there.

Here in Nashville with the Preds, hockey is shown in sports bars even when the Preds aren't playing.  We aren't South FL or Vegas temperature-wise, but it's definitely considered a non-traditional market since we're generally pretty warm.  The energy in the arena is amazing and the games are fun, so we enjoy going.

We've had an opposing team's fan ask us questions, such as "when did you first skate?".  Uh - never.  

I grew up about 35 miles NW of Chicago.  During the 1960's and 1970's there was a cold period in that part of the world, and we often had ice on local ponds, lakes, and a few low lying fields that would flood and freeze.  Plus there was a neighborhood "Fieldhouse", and they intentionally flooded the property to created another area with ice.  When there was ice, we played hockey every minute that we would.  As 14 and 15 year old I played in a league, with most of our games happening on an outdoor rink (with moderately effective coils underneath), and a few games on an indoor rink.  If it was warm, the outdoor rink would be a bit sloppy, or you could play in snow storm.  It was all fun.

Vegas Golden Knights - Stanley Cup Champions!!

Named for that pioneer of professional hockey, Stanley J. Cup.

Brother of Arthur Grey Cup, founder of Canadien professional football...