Ice Hockey

I started playing at age 8-9 something like that, I was a goalie and played till approx 17-18 years old then I had to focus on school but now thinking about it, I feel really sad that I stopped. My best time was probably a training camp I attended in Verbier(Swiss alps, super nice place) where I followed a training given by non other than the personnal trainer of Patrick Roy(famous goalie of Canadiens de Montral, and then Colorado Avalanche) He was my hero at the time. He was also accompanied by a AHL goalie. Was really interesting.

I must say we have a good hockey level in Europe, well maybe not in the UK, but Finland, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland all have good leagues. It's not as much as a show than the NHL of course, in Switzerland for example it is not allowed to fight, referees stop it immediatly and if there is any sign of blood then the players gets automatically 4 min penatly.

Czech and Russians are very good as well.

In Switzerland there is the Spengler Cup which is a tournament very famous, first one was in 1923 its one of the oldest tournament :) It is held by the swiss club HC Davos and the teams that plays in it are invited. This year winner was Dynamo Moscow. There is always Team Canada taking part which is made of Canadian who plays in Europe.

Here were the teams this year, btw the tournament is held between christmas and new years eve.

  • HC Davos (Switzerland)
  • Team Canada (Europe)
  • Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
  • ERC Ingolstadt (Germany)
  • HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech)

The games are mostly good, HC Davos is one of the best team in Switzerland, and of course they play at home so they always try to win ;) Team Canada is also lovely to watch playing and the Russians really rock.

Of course if you want super fast games (NHL rink are a little smaller than European ones), a bit of fight and show you can't go wrong watching NHL
 
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Seen a live game??? I used to play when I was at secondary school but then the local rink shut down.

Just drop out to your local major city and you'll find teams playing all the time.
 
I played ice hockey for most of my teenage years (in South Africa of all places!) and its such a fantastic sport. I'm going to NY in March and hope to see a live NHL game (Rangers or Islanders) when I am there.
 
I would love to see an Ice Hockey game live. I used to love it when I was younger because of the old EA NHL Games on the Mega Drive. I (for some reason) LOVE the Pittsburgh Penguins (I think it was because I liked their logo and kit).

I also loved a few years back watching the Stanley Cup on channel five.
 
Only the Swindon Wildcats for me. It's a bit damp. I have also seen Machester Phoenix Vs Edinburgh Capitals 2 years ago. I would like to get to a 'real' game stateside at somepoint though.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
I would love to see an Ice Hockey game live. I used to love it when I was younger because of the old EA NHL Games on the Mega Drive. I (for some reason) LOVE the Pittsburgh Penguins (I think it was because I liked their logo and kit).

I also loved a few years back watching the Stanley Cup on channel five.
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Those NHL games are what got me in to rollerblading and ultimately rollery-hockey.

A friend of mine actually went on to play for the Cardiff Devils.

Would love to see a game in Canada, though.
 
Bennie-Mac said:
Belfast Giants kick ass! All the team is conveniently from Canada too!
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They ought to, being the big money team in the league. The girlfriend has been a couple of times over to see them, though she supports Vipers but hasn't been for a while now.

We used to have NASN for the NHL which I found watchable but the British Ice Hockey on Sky was too boring for me. The league seems full of Americans and Canadians that didn't make the grade for too long in the NHL. Probably as the NHL is crammed with the majority of the good Europeans.
 
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Nope, but If I ever get to go to Canada or America I will be seeing one. The game is brilliant and I love watching it on tv. But it's on at 4am and haven't seen any on channel 5 for a while.
 
My cousin plays for Romford, so have seen him play. Try and catch them when they play against the Wildcats here in Swindon. It's a great sport to watch, but I've never tried playing it.
 
One of my best mates used to be a forward for Nottingham Panthers, whilst another mate is goal tender, still. Used to watch them loads whilst as uni. Never now. Great game.
 
I watch it all the time when I go over to the parents in law each year (Vancouver). Plus I get NASN purely for the Ice Hockey.
(edit: see sig :D )
 
Spie said:
Saw my first live game in canada last week and my God was it fast and furious. Incredible speed and dexterity from the players. Plenty of fighting too. Best bit was all the crowd were drinking but laughing and joking with the other team's supporters. Brilliant :)

Anyone else seen a live game?
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I used to follow the London Knights back in the day, the standard in the ISL was pretty good. The atmosphere was always pretty light hearted (me being one of the Barmy Army South stand faithful :D). "local" derbies with Bracknell were always a bit edgy though... lol

Ice Hockey games were also a great place to meet girls - met a previous gf at the playoff finals back in 2000 :D

Love it - I must get over to Canada to see some NHL. Can't be bothered to visit the States again unless it's Vegas.
 
Munkyman said:
They do when Andre Payette's involved lol
Used to play for the blaze but now plays for the vipers
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Hate to admit being to Magaluf but it was a freebie :o but I met him out there with his lass in 2006. Anyways I wouldn't have recognised him but we looked up his pic later and there he was. A right moody barrel of laughs he was too :rolleyes:
 
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