Surprisingly, I am finding myself falling in love with hockey. The sport is as important to Canadians as basketball is to Filipinos.
Although not much of a sport fan, hockey introduced me to a new world of excitement and fun. Despite being relatively new to the game, I’ve been able to learn the rules quickly – I understand it better than basketball.
Why hockey? Maybe it’s the sheer excitement brought about by the players. While basketball brings its own kind of excitement, the action and the way the players move on the ice, personally, captivates me.
Unlike running on a basketball court or a football pitch, hockey players have to balance on skates while making their way around. They tumble and fall down a countless number of times, yet they always get back up and return to the game. It requires a unique skill and constant practice to calculate your next move and score a goal when, at the same time, you’re trying to balance on the ice.
I understand why scoring a goal means so much for hockey fans. Back in the Philippines, would see clips of games with fans joyously cheering and I always thought they were overreacting – now I know better. It’s hard to score a goal! Sometimes, teams end the game with zero goals (like in soccer).
National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup playoffs began a few weeks ago and Canadians were overjoyed with five Canadian teams qualifying alongside the American teams. I chose two Canadian teams!
Unfortunately, one of my picks did not advance to the second round, but that did not dampen my spirits because it is the team that got me into the sport.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have not made the playoffs in decades, having last won the Stanley Cup in 1967. Their entrance into this year’s playoffs livened hopes of fans, even if they were considered underdogs, having finished dead last in the previous season.
The team made the first round exciting, drawn against the current top NHL team, the Washington Capitals. Many believed the Capitals would wrap up the best-of-seven series in just four games, but that didn’t happen. The Leafs put up a good fight against the strongest contender of the year, taking it to six games, with five of them going to overtime.
Every player, from goalie Frederik Andersen to players Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Connor Brown, and the rest, gave a good shot and excited fans until the end.
Even though the Maple Leafs won’t be in the second round, I’m keeping my eye on the Edmonton Oilers, led by 19-year-old captain Connor McDavid. They eliminated the San Jose Sharks, four games to two.
At such a young age, McDavid proved to be a valuable asset for the team and I simply admire how well he handles the team even with several players older than him.
Setting aside teams, the game may be rough and many players have altercations in the arena, but that doesn’t stop the excitement. I hope this sport will work its power on me. Liking hockey only proves how amazing and alluring the game is, being able to bewitch my not-so-sporty heart./WDJ