WHY RICK NASH DIDN'T GET TRADED

In the weeks before the NHL trade deadline, the big name with rumors swirling around him was Rick Nash.  A player that is an elite power foward but has severly underpreformed in Columbus over his 9 years with that franchise.  Finally he's had enough with losing and Nash wants out.  It's completely understandable from Rick Nash's point of view.  And eventually he will be traded. But why didn't Nash get traded today?

The main reason Rick Nash didn't get traded is because of the price to bring him in.  Columbus was asking for 2 legitimate roster players, 1 or 2 high draft picks, 1 or 2 high level NHL ready prospects.  That amount of pieces is extremely difficult for a team to give up, much less a top contender on Nash's list (a part of his limited movement clause he selects 10 teams he would accept a trade to, teams rumored to be included now were the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, among others).  For example if the Rangers made the trade the return Columbus would ask for is Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan McDounough or Derek Stephan, either a 1st and 2nd round selection in the 2012 draft or two 1st round picks in the 2012 and 2013 drafts.  That trade requires a major restructuring of a roster and also major restructuring in the offseason to fit in his $7.8 million over the next 6 years (courtesy of CapGeek.com).  The restructuring it will take to bring in a Rick Nash is similar to what the Philadelphia did to bring in Bryzgalov.

It's no longer a matter "is Rick Nash going to get traded", but "when and where does Rick Nash get traded to."  Just an hour ago, Columbus GM Scott Howson publicly stated that Rick Nash requested a trade, this is incredibly bizarre because no one ever says what happens behind the scenes.  Because of this Rick Nash's time in Columbus is almost certain to end within the next 6 months.  He is going to get traded, I think it's almost certain that he gets traded at the draft where all General Managers meet in one place.  I think going into the draft the favorite to land Rick Nash is the Vancouver Canucks.  I think they'll package Cory Schneider (Columbus is desperate for a legitimate starting netminder) with a few other roster players such as Keith Ballard and David Booth (both making $4 million +) to match Nash's salary.  I think other teams in for Nash include the Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, the San Jose Sharks (based on his friendship with Joe Thorton), the Dallas Stars (a team with the prospects and depth that would suit Columbus's demands), and maybe an outside chance of either the Detroit Red Wings or the Nashville Predators. 

From here on out until he gets traded, the Rick Nash topic will be the top rumor and subject that will be talked about.  He will get traded this offseason, if he doesn't it's going to be a poisonous situation for Rick Nash to stay in Columbus, and I think it will benefit both parties for Nash to get traded.

NHL Pre-Deadline Trade Analysis

So far within the last 2 weeks there have been 9 NHL trades (trades not including ones for minor leaguers).  Here's a little instant analysis on each one.

Jeff Carter traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Los Angeles Kings for Jack Johnson and a conditional 1st round pick. (2/23/12)

At first sight I think the Kings paid too much.  Especially since Columbus traded a lesser value asset in Jakub Voracek and a 1st round pick (even though it was a top-10 selection).  But I think it can help fix the King's scoring problems.  I think it definetly gets the Kings into the playoffs this season but going forward I think they're going to miss Jack Johnson.  On the flip side I think Columbus won big.  In getting Jack Johnson they're getting a bonafide number 1 defenseman.  He can provide some offense, and he will help in the defensive zone relieving pressure.  Also the 1st round pick is going to get the Jackets a solid piece.


Wojtek Wolski traded from the New York Rangers to the Florida Panthers for Mike Vernace and a 3rd round pick. (2/25/12)

This trade is simple for both teams, the Florida Panthers add a top 6 forward.  The Rangers get $3 million + to open up cap space, probably to make a push for Rick Nash. 


Minnesota Wild trade Marek Zidlicky to the New Jersey Devils for Kurtis Foster, Nick Palmeri, Stephane Veilleux, 2012 2nd round pick, conditional 2013 3rd round pick

Marek Zidlicky is one of the most underrated defensemen in the game of hockey.  He is a solid skating, 2-way defensean.  This is a great piece for the Devils to add.  I think they may have given up a little too much, especially considering Zidlicky's age (35) and lack of production this season (0 goals, 14 assists, -6).  But I think it will work out for both teams.


Tampa Bay sends Steve Downie to the Colorado Avalanche for Kyle Quincey. Tampa Bay sends Kyle Quincey to the Detroit Red Wings for a 2012 1st round selection and a defensive prospect. 

I like this trade for Colorado because they add a top-6 forward that can provide a great combination of grit, toughness, and offense.  He was a critical piece in Tampa's playoff run last season.  I like this for Detroit because they add depth on defense and this move gives them insurance if Brad Stuart leaves after this season or if Nick Lidstrom retires.  I think Tampa could've gotten more for Quincey, a quality top-4 defenseman of Quincey's status should've brought in another piece, either a roster player or another prospect.


Phoenix Coyotes get Antoine Vermette from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 2nd round pick, a 5th round pick, and goaltender Curtis McElhinney

This is a good trade for both teams.  Vermette is a solid second line center but like many Jackets he was underperforming this season.  The Jackets get a nice return. 

These are the major trades that happened before the deadline.  I think this is what I expected, a lot of trades before the deadline, and I think other than a few minor moves, deadline Monday is going to be relativly quiet.  And I don't think the Blue Jackets are going to trade Rick Nash at the deadline.  I think they will wait until the draft to trade him if they're giong to at all.  But I could be wrong. 

Top Stanley Cup Contenders (Today, February 19th, 2012)

Hockey Day in America.  A great day.  A great day also to evaluate the top contenders in each conference.  This evaluation is based on if the regular season ended today.  The current updated rosters are taken into affect (Philadelphia Flyers acquisitions of Nick Grossman and Pavel Kubina) as the trade deadline is 8 days away and big names (Rick Nash) could be moved before the deadline.  So here's the list.

Eastern Conference

New York Rangers.
Let's start with the New York Rangers.  This team is on top of the Eastern Conference.  They have arguably one of the top 2 goalies in the game today in Henrik Lundqvist (in my opinion the other one being Johnathon Quick).  They are by far the top team in goals against per game, even better than Boston who has consistantly led the league in team defense the past few seasons.  Questions exist though in the Ranger's offense, yes they have elite talents in Brad Richards and Marion Gaborik and great depth in Ryan Callahan but they lack an elite power forward which most other cup contenders are loaded with.  And because they're missing a power forward their powerplay has been a disaster compared to where it should/could be.  Also their question going down the stretch is how often they give Lundqvist rest.  This is going to be a huge factor if they intend on making a cup run.
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Needs:  A power forward. I don't know if they want to pay the price they would have to, to bring in Rick Nash (3-5 NHL quality assets) let alone add his $7.8 million contract to their books with Lundqvist, Richards, Gaborick, and even Wade Redden (even though he's not in the NHL the Rangers are still paying him every penny off of his rediculous contract) all making over $6 million dollars per season.  That's around the same number of guys the Blackhawks had when they won the cup and the reason they had to shed half of that team's roster.  I would wonder if the Rangers might go after a guy like Ryan Malone. A guy who has extensive playoff experience, can score, is a big body, and could be had for a combination of picks and prospects, which for a team chasing down a Stanley Cup is a small price to pay.

Teams the Rangers will struggle against: Pittsburgh Penguins


Boston Bruins
Next let's look at the defending champs, the Boston Bruins.  I like this team a lot. Before the NHL All-Star break this team was in my opinion the top team in the league.  But ever since Tim Thomas decided to skip the White House visit this team has struggled to find consistant wins.  I still like this team to go deep and make another run in the playoffs.  This team still has great goaltending, great team defense, and great special teams.  All part of a recipie for playoff success.  I also love the emergence of Tyler Seguin as an elite forward. 

Needs:  They don't really have a specific need, I think they may want to add a rental forward and/or defenseman. 

Teams the Bruins will struggle against: Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers


Philadelphia Flyers
I like this team a lot.  I like their balance up front and on defense.  I like the emergence of Claude Giroux as well. But this team is struggling to keep the puck out of their net.  Ilya Bryzgalov isn't living up any where near his big contract.  But it's not all on him, the absence of Chris Pronger is really what is bringing this team down.  We'll see how their recent additions of Nick Grossman and Pavel Kubina pay off. 

Needs: They could use a nice two-way center, with a little grit, a little offense, and someone with experience.  I would take a long hard look at Antoinne Vermette in Columbus, a guy that could be had for the right price. 

Teams the Flyers could struggle against: Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins.


Pittsburgh Penguins
This team is stacked, they are solid offensivly, defensivly, in net, and in special teams.  As of today I like them to contend in the East.  But this team has the biggest "if".  Does Sidney Crosby come back in time to help in a playoff run.  If he does, no one in the Eastern Conference can go toe-to-toe with Pittsburgh.  If he comes back, Pittsburgh is the absolute favorite in my mind to win the cup.  If he doesn't this team will have to compete to get through the Eastern Conference.

Needs:  Sidney Crosby, this guy is flat out the best player in the game of Hockey.  He is this team's unquestioned leader.  If he doesn't come back I would like to see the Pen's add a top-6 forward.  Someone that can score, brings some veteran leadership, and someone that wants to win a cup.  A guy like Shane Doan would be a perfect fit although I don't think the Coyotes are willing to give him up that easily.

Teams that will challenge the Penguins: New York Rangers, Boston Bruins

Teams with an outside shot of contending:
Washington Capitals: They need Nick Backstrom and Mike Green back and playing at a level they're capible of.  They should both be back next month but it may be too little, too late. 

New Jersey Devils:  This is a veteran led team that knows how to win when they want to.  If Martin Brodeur can return to some of the form he had 2 years ago this team can be dangerous for the East's top contenders. 


Western Conference
For my money 7 teams in the top 8 that make the playoffs have a legitimate shot at winning the cup this year. 

Detroit Red Wings
Let's face it, the Detroit Red Wings are the elite team in the NHL, they have been consistantly over the last 2 decades.  This team has elite two-way talents in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg leading their offense.  Nick Lidstrom is still an elite talent on defense leading the way of an incredibly talented group of 5 other defensemen.  And Jimmy Howard is emerging as a top-5 goaltender in the game.  This team's only question is can they win consistantly on the road.  Their record now 23 straight home wins is impressive but their road record is quite pedestrian.

Needs:  Any piece this team goes after isn't really a need but more of a want.  I think if this team adds either a top-6 forward or a top-4 defenseman they will keep the first seed in the West.

Teams the Red Wings may struggle against: Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks

Vancouver Canucks
This team by far is the deepest team in the NHL.  At forward, defense, and goaltending.  The only team that can challenge the Canuck's talent is the Detroit Red Wings.  That being said there are some questions surrounding Roberto Luongo.  If he can't be the goalie to lead this team to the cup they may sturggle, even with an elite backup netminder in Cory Schneider.

Needs: The only thing this team needs going into the playoffs is minimal injuries to their top end talents and rest for Luongo. 

Teams that this team could struggle against:  Detroit Red Wings

San Jose Sharks
Right now this team isn't playing near a level they were expected to be at going into the season.  But the moves they made this past offseason in acquiring Brent Burns will greatly affect this team going into the playoffs.  Trading away Dany Heatley and Devon Settuguchi hurt this team's offensive depth which was their regular season strength over the last 5 years. But the addition of Brent Burns brings in a legitimate #1 defenseman which they lacked and was a huge reason for their past playoff struggles.

Needs: I think this team just needs some depth, the recent addition of Dominik Moore will help but they could use another piece.  Trading Nittymaki could help attract a piece or 2.

Teams that they may struggle against: Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings

The top 3 contenders in the West are the clear-cut top 3, but there are other contenders in the West that could make a dent in the playoff race.

St. Louis Blues: This team is has played incredible since Ken Hitchcock took over the team earlier in the season.  This team however lacks an elite talent, a special player that can take over a game.  Also the Blues alternate starts for their goalies, so who takes the reigns for the playoffs is a question that needs to be answered in 2 or 3 weeks.

Nashville Predators:  This team has 3 elite talents in Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, and Pekka Rinne.  I think this team could make a splash in the playoffs but I think they need help in their offense. 

Chicago Blackhawks:  When this team wants to be the best they can be the best team in the Western Conference.  But right now they're struggling mightily.  I think this team needs to add a top-4 defenseman and they need their goaltending to pick up, if both pieces come into place I think they can contend for a cup.

Los Angeles Kings: This team is a bit of a wild card.  Going into the season they were my favorite to come out of the West.  This team is incredibly defensivly, and Johnathon Quick is playing out of his mind.  Yet with elite talents in guys like Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, and Jack Johnson, this team bottom feeding in offense and powerplay.  But with the way they can keep a game within 1 or 2 goals, any team in the West will struggle to beat them in a 7 game series. 

That's the list of contenders.  I'll revisit this issue after the trade deadline and evaluate any big trades to any of these contenders.  And then we'll see how the rest of the season and playoffs play out.

Here's my cup prediction today.

Vancouver Canucks over Pittsburgh Penguins in 6 games.

What type of Goalie gear is best for you?

When most goalie's go gear shopping they don't know exactly what they're looking for.  They usually shop for gear that their favorite players wear or based on what a salesman tells them they need.  I know because I've gone shopping countless time for gear and I also used to be an equipment salesman.  So here's a breakdown of gear that's out there.

First decide what level of gear you need.  Usually most manufactures offer a pro level series, an elite level series, and a recreational level series.  Some brands such as Vaughn offer these levels in different pads, and some brands such as Brian's only offer 2 serieses.

Pro Level Series - This series is for the elite netminder.  An elite netminder practicing at least 3 times a week, as well as playing 70-100 games a year.  For someone skating 3-6 times a week, this gear level will last about 2 years, maybe 4 years if the gear is taken care of extremely well (taking it out of the bag to air out each time it is used).  At a senior level, pads run about $1400-1600, catch gloves run about $400-470, blockers run about $300-350, skates run about $600, chest protectors about $400-500, pants about $200-300, and masks run $600+ depending on the brand and paint job. 

Elite Level Series - This series is for a netminder looking for the design qualities in pro-level gear but without the price.  The main difference between elite series gear and pro-level gear is quality and durability.  This gear set is great for someone using intermediate pads and who will grow out of them quickly.  At a senior level these pads are good for someone skating 4 times or less per week, and it should last 2-5 years depending on how well the gear is taken care of.  Pads run about $600, catcher and blocker about $500, skates around $300-350, masks about $400, chest protector about $250-300, pants about $120-180.

Recreational Level Series - This series is good for a goalie just starting out or a goalie skating once or 2 times a week.  If taken care of properly, this gear probably will last 2 years at most.  If you're skating more than once or 2 times a week this gear level is the wrong set for you.  You won't be happy with the performance you're getting out of the gear not to mention the gear will deteriorate quickly.  Usually pads run $300-500, gloves around $200-250, skates around $200, and mask around $200.  (There isn't usually a chest protector or pant offered at this price level)

Now once you've decided what level of gear you want next decide what pads are good for you.  Here's a quick breakdown of each pads out there, usually it's best that you buy within the equipment brand you select for your pads (especially with gloves as they are meant to fit best in the butterfly).

There's 2 exclusive styles of pads out on the market.

There's the butterfly design of gear that is designed stiff that are designed for a pure butterfly goalie, these pads usually flat faced with no brakes in the pads. The leg pads are all flat on the inside of the pad to provide a seal along the ice to not allow pucks to squeak through.  And butterfly pads are designed to give off hard rebounds.  Because of the stiff design leg pads allow for easier lateral mobility within the butterfly. These pads and gear lines take a very "new school" approach and each time something new comes out it pushes the boundries of the old.

Then there's the traditional or hybrid style of pads/gear.  They are very flexible.  They usually fit tight into the five hole.  These pads don't offer the lateral mobility in the butterfly like the previously mentioned style but they allow for better mobility in the goalie's stance when they're standing up.  These pads usually offer soft knee roles along the knee cradle, and some pads offer rolls vertically along the pads. 

Here's a breakdown based on style of play. 

Pure butterfly - almost exclusivly using the butterfly to make saves, usually using a very large stance with a wide five hole.  Examples of this style include Henrik Lundqvist, Roberto Luongo, Carey Price, Marc-Andre Fleury.  The gear styles are usually very squared up and stiff. 

Reebok Premier Series - This pad is the most extreme design for a pure butterfly goalie.  It is the stiffest pad series by far.  It also holds it's "out-of-the-box" shape longer than anyother pads. These pads are very deep in the leg channel, thus those who wear them usually wear the pads very loose compared to other brands.  If you feel comfortable in these pads, and you feel they fit best with your game stick with them because all other pads that are designed similar to the Premiers are designed closer to a hybrid pad.  The Premier is the most customizeable set in terms of what a customer can ask and thus will be produced.

(Each brand on the rest of this list has features that are more alike a traditional style pad.)

Bauer Supreme Series - The front face of this gear series is very similar to the Premier series.  But the gear usually fits tighter to the body than the Reebok series.  This series offeres the most customizable options once the gear is purchased and in the customers hands. 

Warrior Ritual Series - This series is probably the 2nd most customizable series on the market behind the Premier series.  This series isn't yet in the market (Release date April, 2012), but it is peeking it's head out for big retailers.  This pad is designed by Smith Goaltending which never made it to the NHL but produced high quality that was used by college level goalies.  This gear is going to have a similar feel to the Bauer Supremes but it won't look as big as the Supremes or Premiers.

Brian's Sub-Zero - This gear set offers a lot of feel like a hybrid series but it still has a flat face.  Unique for these pads is the strapless design that makes this set of gear the lightest on the market. 

Vaughn Vision - Similar in shape to the Brian's Sub-Zero's but it has the normal strapping systems. 

Hybrid/Traditional Style - This style of gear is best for a goalie that is quick, uses a smaller stance, and uses a variety of saves from their toolboxes.  Examples of this style include Ryan Miller, Jimmy Howard, Tuuka Rask, and Tim Thomas (his style is more of a traditional stand-up style than a hybrid butterfly style)

Vaughn Velocity - By far the best selling gear set over the last 5-6 years.  This gear set offers a moderate flex in the gear with traditional knee roles in the pads.  Vaughn is good too with making custom factory modifications on the gear too to fit a goalie's specific needs. 

Bauer Re-flex - This series is realitivly new to the equipment market but it is gaining in popularity.  It is more squared up than other pads designed for this style.  The gear series often too offers different flex options. 

Reebok Larceny - This gear set was the first hybrid/traditional set created by Reebok.  The gear in this set is very flexible and very well designed for quality. 

There's a quick breakdown of the main manufactures of gear.  If you're going to purchase gear in the next little while and you want the opinion of a unbiased third-party I'm more than happy to help.  Good luck with your future gear shopping as well. 

The one word you never say to a goalie.

Tonight I played a hockey game.  I was the starting goalie. The game was going pretty good.  Our team was up 3-0 after the second period.  During the intermission as we were about to head out for the 3rd my defenseman tapped me on the pads, gave me a fist pump, and said keep that shutout going.  For time sake the game ended and we won 4-2.  I gave up 1 goal, and one goal was an own goal as it went in when I was pulled for an extra attacker on a delayed penalty.  I'm happy we won. But this bugs me, the guy said the word shutout. Now I'll admit it, goalies are mentally different and even a little bit wierd, but you never say the word shutout during a game when your goalie has a shutout going.  Don't say that word to the goalie, don't say that to the players on the bench, don't even think it.  Just play the god damn game.  Again, don't say the word shutout while your goalie has a shutout going.

Winter Classic...

Today the NHL announced that the 2013 Winter Classic will be held in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Michigan Stadium.  The game will feature the Detroit Red Wings playing host to Origional 6 rival the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Now being from the Detroit area, I'm completely stoked for this game and I will be at that stadium but I think the NHL made a mistake.  I think playing a hockey game in a football stadium is a terrible idea.  Last year I went to the Big Chill at the Big House, and the year before I went to the Frozen Four which was held at the home for the NFL's Detroit Lions, Ford Field.  The beauty of going to a hockey game is being right up against the glass and watching the game from an intimate distance.  When a hockey game is held at a football stadium, the stands are so spread out that you lose the the intamacy of the game.  In the future if the NHL is going to continue with the outdoor games, they should always be played at a baseball stadium.  The ice surface can be put fairly close to the diamond and that brings the game a lot closer to the fans.  Hopefully someone from the NHL who selects where the Winter Classic is held is reading this.

Reebok Premier 4 Goalie Gear.

Within the past week, Reebok is beginning to show off on their website and other retail websites the new Premier 4 goalie gear.  After viewing it I am completely in awe and I plan on purchasing a pad and glove set sometime after their release date in April.

Here's some of the features.

Leg Pads-
Solid front face and outer roll, the breaks in the pads are all interior and are not visible on the outside of the pad.

Flex Core - More flexibility at the boot/leg joint of the pad, allowing for more flexibility and mobility within the butterfly.

Quick Release Knee Cradle - New materials in the knee cradle as well as a wider base allow for the pad to fit differently to an individual goalie's preference.  It can fit losely and allow the pad to hang lower giving the appearance of better 5-hole coverage ina goalie's stance.  It can also fit tight for someone who wouldn't like their pads fitting extremely loose.  Also new is the max coverage knee lifts.  Similar to the knee lifts in the Bauer Supreme One100 pads, if you don't completely close off your 5-hole in your butterfly, the knee lifts come together to help close off.

The old knock on Reebok pads is that they don't provide good five hole coverage.  The new Premier 4 pads are changing that while still keeping the traditional Reebok style.

Blocker

The big new feature is the additional padding around the hand.  There is a lot more padding around the index finger that goes over the paddle (the finger Jimmy Howard broke by taking a puck off).  The padding around the index finger will fit around the paddle to allow for maximum mobility with the stick.

Catch Glove

The Premier 4 glove will be offered in both the one and two piece models.  New on the one piece glove is the interior cuff is not attaced to the main padding of the glove.  This feature allows for flexibility similar to a 2 piece cuff. 

The 1 piece glove is very similar to the old Premier 3 glove with a few tweaks, the main one making the pocket deeper, making the glove a better catching glove.  Also with the deeper pocket, it is now easier to see the puck in the glove. (Allowing Ref's to see the puck easier will allow for quicker whistles when the puck is covered.)

I am getting new gear this year, the Bauer Supreme One100's I'm using are not holding up the way a pro-level pad should hold up.  Reebok Premier 4 is on the very short list of gear I'm looking at. 

Release Date sometime in April - Reebok is taking custom orders on the pads, Goalie Monkey is one of the retailers offering the service.

Expected Goal Pad Price - $1599.99
Expected Catcher Price - $449.99
Expected Blocker Price - $349.99

Hockey Player's Routine

Every elite level hockey player has one.  A pre-game ritual or routine.  Every game, every practice this routine is done like clockwork.  Over my hockey playing career I did the exact same thing for every game.  Here's my routine.

1. Wake up, Drink a bottle of water
2. Breakfast - Eggs, Whole Wheat Toast with Peanut Butter, Hot Oatmeal with fruit and skim milk
3. A quick 1 mile run
4. A quick 30 minute workout - Squats, Sit Ups, Push Ups, Shuttle Runs (Sprints, High Knees, ect.)
5. A bottle of water
- Depending what time the game is

Afternoon Game -
Lunch - Turkey Sandwich, Trail Mix (No Candy), Banana (For Potassium, prevents cramps)
Nap - Depending on what time the game is 30 min. - 2 hrs.
Bottle of Water
Go to the Arena
Equipment Maintanence (Skate Sharpening, Tape Sticks, Check Screws on Skates & Helmet)
Pre-game workouts, stretching, Goalie Reflex Drill (Coach throwing a ball against the wall behind the goalie)
Game

Night Game-
Lunch - Grilled Chicken Breast on top of angel hair pasta and marinara sauce, 2 bottles of water, almonds
Nap - 2 Hrs
Snack - Bowl of cereal (cinnamon toast crunch), banana, bottle of water
Go to the Arena
Equipment Maintanence
Pre-Game Workouts
Game

Post-Game snack - trail mix (w/candy), Bottle of water
quick workout - 1 Mile run or depending on the weather 10 min. on the bike


When I was playing, if I didn't stick closely to my routine I didn't play well.  It wasn't so much about my physical abilities but it definetly threw me off my game mentally. 

Go To a Hockey Game.

If you call yourself a sports fan, you should go to a hockey game.  Watching hockey doesn't do you any service.  Hockey isn't video taped well.  It is incredibly faster in person than on the television tube. 

Let's face it Hockey is the greatest sport on the planet (Opinion).  It is the fastest sport (Fact). There's scoring, there's hitting, there's fighting, and there's blood.  Soccer is slow and boring.  Football is great but their offseason lasts longer than their entire season including preseason and playoffs.  Baseball is great because of it's rich history and traditions (Hockey is rich in history and traditions too), but in hockey there isn't a 20 second break in between every pitch.  The only reason why hockey isn't the most popular sport in the world is because it is tremendously expensive, both in equipment and keeping the ice frozen. 

With that said, if you're a sports fan and you enjoy hockey, you have to go to the games to get the full experience of the game.  In North America, where ever you live, you're no more than a 2 hour drive to the home barn of a high level hockey team. 

Here's a few reasons why you should go to a hockey game.
1. Hockey is a great place to go on a date.  Girls and women for that matter LOVE hockey.  Something about watching 20 men go into battle sparks their interest.  I can't tell you how many chicks I've gotten to go out with me because I played or because I had tickets to a game.

2. There's fighting. In the sports fan dictionary there's a saying, "I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out." Hockey is the only sport on Earth (other than UFC, Boxing, "Wrestling") where fighting your opponent is allowed.  Camera angles can not capture the excitement of seeing a fight live in person.

3.  Hockey players are entertaining, what they say to each other, the other team, both on and off the ice is incredibly entertaining.  An example being the All-Star game or the 24/7 television series on HBO.  When you're at the game you can hear some of what is said.

4. Hockey fans are unlike any other sports fan.  Their passion and excitement for the game of hockey can not only be seen and heard, but it can be felt.  It is intoxicating.  And you can't get it sitting on your ass watching it at home. 
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Hockey Season is about halfway through with most teams finishing up between March and June.  Go to a hockey game, I promise you that you will not regret it.