The lights from up high in the stadium rafters reflect like the sun on tropical waters on ice so smooth it resembles fine crystal. The lines of red and blue are painted bold and give definition to a frozen paradise of historic moments only to be seen by those passionate about holding true to what has shaped a cult like obsession with what is commonly referred to as "our game".
No matter where the origins of hockey can be traced back, the National Hockey League and its original 6 line up have spawned what has become not only entertainment through athletic competition, but a sub culture of die hard hockey addicts who worship names like Howe, Orr and Hull to religious like levels. Hockey is the perfect blend of grace, grit, guts and glamour. On a sheet of ice confined by plexi glass, players create works of art. Whether it be the grace of Federov speeding down the wing to chase down a loose puck or the sheer power of a Ray Bourque clapper from the blue line, hockey truly is a work of art. The athletic ability of a post to post glove save on an Ovechkin one timer is something that is jaw dropping to witness and near impossible to explain. The sound of a tape to tape saucer pass on a 2 on 1 break is a pure symphonic experience. Hockey is poetry in motion.
We watch with our hearts on our sleeves and our loyalty to our team on our chest. This is our game and although you are welcome to join, you must realize that just simply putting on your teams sweater does not make you a fan. You need to do your homework first. Learn the history that we cherish like our children. Start in Montreal and work your way to Toronto. Travel through Boston and watch Orr dance through the Rangers. Make a stop in Detroit with an octopus in hand and then on to Chicago to see Hull score 50. Make it over to Long Island where Stanley made himself comfortable before taking up residency in Edmonton with Gretzky. On your journey make sure to learn of the third jersey disasters and the glowing puck of network television. Take your time to learn the stories. Lindros to Quebec, the North Stars going south, Roy being left in the net, and the sucker punch of Bertuzzi. These stories make up the history of our game and they are sacred much like the Babe calling his shot, Jordan playing with the flu and Montana to Clark for "the catch".
Whether you lace up skates and play on the pond or watch from the nose bleeds, you are part of something special. Hockey is not about the storylines created to stir up interest in between games. Scores are settled on the ice with bare knuckled pride. Hockey is about being apart of something that only those who share your passion could even understand.