Some hockey questions...?

1. I may kill the next non-athlete who tries to be cute by begging me to explain the infield fly rule in baseball.

2. The third period is the most exciting part of any hockey game (unless you're a fan of a certain hockey team who plays their home games in the same arena as a dinosaur-named NBA franchise, because third periods are irrelevant since they get blown out during the first period).

3. In my younger days, I was a huge homer. Heck, I should have been the Penguins' hype man during my teenage years!

4. C'mon now! I root, root, root for my home team!

5. The first post-SCF game between the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings (featuring Marian "I put the ho in" Hossa sporting the Winged Wheel).

1. I don't play a sport, though like to ski, and it's often hard to get across the real reason why it's fun. As for my hockey passion, folk from my 'before hockey' days are probably a little creeped out by it!

2. Nobody gets any sense out of me from puck drop till the post game show is over!

3. Absolutely. That said, I just love hockey, and will watch anyone play (including my kids in the cul de sac!). Maybe there's hope!

4. My team, but I'll recognize it as a good thing if the other team wins. I was totally inspired by Nashville clawing their way past St Louis at the end of regular season.

5. I'm really looking forward to the Wings playing their games against the Blackhawks - not just the Winter Classic (fierce domestic debate about travel plans going on...), but the Hawks gave us fits all last season, and I want to see how it goes in the coming season.

1) Usually I don't bother explaining things they won't understand because they usually never understand anyway, but there are a lot of things they don't understand when your watching a game with them.

2) It depends if the 1st period has action or it is just a dump and chase game, but even if it is a dump and chase game I would probably play cards but maybe accidentally start watching the game with full attention in the middle of the card game.

3) Truth be told, I have no idea what that means.

4) I don't think I would be upset if the second favorite team won but rooting against your favorite team is very hard to do even when they have cinched the presidents trophy.

5) The winter classic at Wrigley Field. Go Hawks!!!!!!!!

1) Yes. It's hard to explain to a friend that I couldn't help checking him over the balcony rail, or when I feel the need to intercept a cell phone being tossed back to the original owner and then sprint 20 yards away with it calling for lead blocks from people I don't even know.

2) The Red Wings usually get up on the opposition early in the game. The 1st period is a key period, just like the 2nd and 3rd.

3) Hellll yeeeaaahhhh.

4) My team. I like being in first place by 12 points.

5) The Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

1. Very. And I was trying to explain the game to some people, I could barely explain offsides. And then in summer league we have a girl on the team who's never played in her life, and I was explaining when to come to the bench for a change, couldn't even do that.

2. Depends what game it is. Sometimes I'll be flipping to check the score of other games (hockey and other sports) in the first period, but never in the third period, so I guess not.

3. Very much so.

4. My team always, but I wouldn't be devistated from a loss.

5. Bruins last home game, fan appreciation night and its against the Habs.

1) Not really. Almost everyone has enough sports pushed into their face by ESPN, newspapers, and video games that even the most casual fan understands most aspects of games. This changes greatly when you consider sports that are outside of your media world though. I for example know nothing about cricket because it isn't part of the American sports media. I guess what I am attempting to say is that most Americans are saturated with sports knowledge via media coverage to understand our sporting world, whereas others in the world would be difficult to explain the paticulars of our sports.

2) Yes.

3) No

4) The Wings. Even if they are up by 50 points in the standings I would still cheer for them to beat that competing team. That team might end up facing them in the playoffs and be able to build off the momentum they gained from that regular season win.

5) Cliche answer: Blackhawks and Wings on New Years Day assuming I can get tickets. Really all the Hawks/Wings games this year. I am excited to see a young exciting team in Chicago fight against the Wings for the next couple years.

1) No, I played many sports in my life, and I do not find it hard to to talk non-athletes. I am one now. I do find it hard to talk to triathletes. There is something strange to me about them...almost like freaking mimes or clowns.

2) Depends. When I watch a game at home, in the beginning of the season, I am glued to the game. Around the middle of the season, I get a bit lazy and even fall asleep sometimes during the 3rd period. I usually am a 2nd intermission nookie girl, so sometimes it is hard to stay awake for the 3rd period (obviously not while attending a game). I have never played poker during a game...but I do often play after a game. I'm a card shark.

3) Not entirely. I will be honest and say that the Western Conference does not interest me as much, because I so rarely get to see them (excluding the Atlantic division). I like all of the NHL teams for different reasons, and I feel fairly knowledgeable about players throughout the league. I have been called a homer before. This hockey section reeks of them, so comparably my homer stench am not too bad.

4) Ahhhh, I always cheer for the Lightning, but I never feel bad when they lose to the Habs (my #2 favorite team).

5) I want to see them Hawks. It should be interesting. I also always look forward to seeing the Habs, Yotes, Wings. Okay...you got me, I am DYING to see any hockey right now! I was invitied to see some beer league (8 teams) play four 15 minute games tonight...sadly, I am thinking of going.

BTW: I think #1, you are talking about most chicks...not athletes.

Edit: Well then....I think you are just talking to stupid people, not non-athletes.

1. It definitely is hard, like trying to tell the most basic rules to my girlfriend when we are at a game, like icing, offsides, but when she can't understand what the neutral zone is, or the red and blue lines are(she ain't the brightest crayon) it's extremely hard to get the basic concept of the game across to her, but she looks sexy in a blues sweater and likes fights and big hits, so thats enough for me to keep taking her.

2. I watch the first period with the same intensity b/c the blues usually jump out early on top then blow it, but all periods are the same, unless obviously its overtime.

3. If i knew what a homer was I might admit it.

4. If my team is in first, I want them to win out to win the presidents trophy, there is no other team worth cheering for, absolutely not.

5. The one game i am dying to see is when the blues play the penguins, so our ownership can see how far behind the league's elite teams we are and can maybe start spending some money to give us a fighting chane

1. YES!!! it's like they have some kind of mental blockage there! no matter how i try to explain things to them they just don't get it!

2. Generally I watch the first period more passionatly than the third. See, the Leafs always blow it during the third, so if I want to see some good, fast, competetive hockey, I have to pay attention during the first.

3. Maybe......

4. My team of course. You can't ever go against your team if you're a true fan. Unless of course there's an awesome reason, like knocking the Sens out of it. Of course, this has never happened to me....the Leafs are generally fighting for a draft pick.

5. For the OHL it's the first Rangers vs. Knights home game. I hate the Knights, and it's always a great rivalry. Plus, they stole my fav. Nazem Kadri:( In the NHL it has to be draft day. Tavares to Toronto!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

1)YES..My old roommate knew NOTHING aboot any sport and trying to explain a 2 line pass or even the infield fly rule was impossible.

2)I watch the first period intently because thats where alot of the games are won.If the Flyers open the second period with a 3-0 lead I don't relax but I'm not on edge as I am for the 1st or 3rd.

3)Yes...But not fat and bald like the cartoon character.

4)I root for my team.I don't have another team that I enjoy watching plus my team has to stay on edge for the upcoming playoffs.

5)Away game against the Wings..Its been awhile since we played them so it will be different.