Putting on the foil...want some Coach?

Alright time to drop the gloves for Hockey

I stumbled across this Harris Poll the other day. Cause you know me I love to cruse the computer internet for scientific studies on random unimportant subjects. Anyway the poll found that hockey is now the fifth ranked sport in the United States behind Pro and College Football, Baseball, and NASCAR.

I know a lot of people out there aren't fans of my favorite pastime but you have to admit that no sport puts up with as much crap. Most of the air time on ESPN is accompanied by snide remarks and condescending references to that Clown-Shoe Gretzky. The League has been banished to a disused cable channel thats home to Professional Bull Fighting and Hunting Shows.

But in spite of all of this the sport has actually managed to grow. Youth hockey continues to expand, attendance is up league wide, and the New Years Day game between the Penguins and the Sabers set a Twelve year record for ratings and an NHL record for Single Game Attendance.

So I'm not going to sit here and say that you'll be watching Game 7 of the Cup Finals instead of the Super Bowl next year. But would a little respect be so much to ask for?

On a lighter note:
The post title come from one of the greatest sports movies ever, Slapshot, it was actually filmed in Johnstown. If you've never seen the movie its safe to say you've never lived. And though I hate to say it the following clip is an accurate depiction of some of the lower end minor league games I've seen.

So watch the CLIP and until next time Keep your Sticks on the Ice

peace out yo

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=866