Hockey rocks and I'm loving the playoffs this year.
As an Englishman I often find that people over here want to try to talk to me about soccer (football to me). I've never really been into soccer. My Dad bought me up on Rugby but you struggle to find that shown much over here.
When we moved from England to California in 1999 my step son turned 5 just after we moved. He was having trouble with hand-eye coordination so we tried to find something for him to do that would improve his skills. He took up in-line hockey (this was California don't forget) and immediately found he enjoyed it. We have been hooked on hockey ever since. Now, nearly 15, he plays on the ice in the adult league at our local rink and is currently leading in points despite being predominately a defenseman and is typically one of the first picks at the start of each league season (this usually means he gets put on the worst team as they finished last so get first pick). He wants to try out for AAA next month - I'm very proud of him.
As much as I appreciate the comment about the random aspect of the game, it is the skill of the players reactions at being able to change their play at the drop of a hat that makes the random events interesting. To me it is a fast paced, intelligent, physical, and skillful team game and reminds me very much of rugby. I don't want a game with lots of scoring, I want a battle of skill, strength, and technique. That, to me, is what hockey is about.
Now, I've had a little experience of playing goalie but my youngest son is 8 and he's way better than me. He has been goalie for our travel team against kids one and a half times his age. I would be very reluctant to say that a good goalie is essential, but I will say that a good goalie is what stops the other team walking all over you when your team screws up or gets tired. Consider my son, at his age his head just about reaches the cross bar. I think he is amazing and he kept our team in touch in several games last season with athletic dives and a super quick glove. On several ocassions he made the difference between a close game and a sound thrashing. He frequently got praise not only from our parents and coaches, but from the opposing team as well. A good goalie can cover up for a lot of errors but he can't win the game without a strong offence. Likewise a strong defence can cover up for a mediocre goalie. It takes a complete team who can play well together to be the best.
Anyway, you can talk all you like about Roy and Brodeur, but here is my favorite goalie...
I'd post a picture of my step son playing, but he moves too fast even in D.
I enjoyed the comment about goons being OK when they're your own - how true.