I guess we should call it Hockey Night as this is the first game to take place tonight between Canada and Norway. So I guess I would title this Olympic Hockey, or "The speed of skates as they glide".
Now if there is one sport that truly is Canadian it's Hockey. I myself have never played the game but hockey is one of the fastest sports and what goes into these players and how they train. It's something that I have known a few and I have seen the methods of there off training regime. Football doesn’t come close, nor does any sport that I have seen thus far when it come down to a team sport. Imagine standing on a large ball and keeping your balance while doing squats while you have several pound on top of you. Then think about the test of endurance. The amount of running that these athletes do is one that surpasses all. The agility of a hockey player is far beyond what most really do notice. They are lean, they are fast, they are not huge but they are tremendously fast. If there is one area in which the country of Canada has a patriotic feel. It's most definitely within Hockey. Hockey came by way of the Iroquois and Algonquin nations as they started what would come to be Lacrosse. That led to Hockey. Skates on ice are not just something they place on and play the game. I can literally tell you that I have known Steve the leader of the Canadian Team. While I was the marketing manager of the West Edmonton Mall years ago, I had the privilege of sitting at a dinner with Mario Lemieux, I think that is how you spell his name. Steve Yzerman is the captain of team Canada and how time flies as his cousin was my best friend and while he was playing for Detroit she would go down and well they played hard and then had fun, lets just leave it at that and then there was a Russ Walker.
But back to Hockey, I really don't know what sport compares to it - it's one of the fastest and as well, the players might not be large but they are in the best of shape. Probably much like rugby players but with a little more agility but yet something more. If you can stand the heat even if it's on the ice don't play it. Tonight is the first of the games to be played. There are very big hopes in a good way that Canada does bring home the gold within this sport, as it's something that defines most Canadians. It's of a historical value if you will.
http://initiativestain.multiply.com/video/item/60/Rexall_Place_Video.avi
http://initiativestain.multiply.com/photos/album/74/Nuit_de_hockey_au_Canada
When I was living in Edmonton, I was amazed with the trainers and the players what surprised me the most was how young they are, but then again it was not all that long ago that I was there age but I myself never played the game. Yet it's one that I find that does define Canada. And Canadians have high expectations.
Go teams go :)
In our little town and on the Reserves hockey is considered to be culture. hee hee Some folk spend more time at hockey arena practices and games than at home. It's the great Canadian pastime. I played field hockey as girls didn't do ice hockey back in the Olden Days, but they sure do now.
ReplyDeleteHi Jack...I have been to a couple of games and had a great time the energy level is unreal...
ReplyDeleteKaryn yes they do both genders, Hockey has always been the one thing that really is Canadian. Literally althought it came from by way of the Eastern portion of Canada and the upper pennisilas of the United States, it evolved to being the one sport from the beginning that truly each and every Canadian either played, watched, or had some common grounds with. I have yet to see any athlete that trains in the manner that these players do - literally. It might be considered a cold sport but it's fast and it's hot I am sure you remember that cartoon character named Peter Puck. :)
ReplyDeleteJules this is the one areas that is something that Canada does hope to take home the gold. It's a fast game when you see it played especially by way of the ones that have made it past high school, as within each school of Canada there are kids that come to play in each city and town and are there sponsored with high hopes to make it to the professional league. As like any other sport, some do some don't. But the ones that do, they have now a peak time of maybe five years and then it's over with. Not like the time of Gretzky or Messier...it's a new league of players now but still it's fast.
ReplyDeleteHockey is big here in Michigan too. I know that Finland is extremely excited about winning the gold in Hockey as well. I didn't play hockey, but certainly grew up with it all around and went to many games. Shoot, my first boyfriend was a hockey player, lol. Hope your having a great time enjoying the festivities. its such a joy :)
ReplyDeleteAt night I am I think I have to take an interlude of these olympics but this sport is one that really is caparable to Football or Baskeball to most all Canadians. So here in Canada the thought is that if there is one gold that we want to take "home" this is the one. Not just guys but most all Canadians are focused on this and it's truly a sport that is enjoyable to watch. As it's intense...my brother whom is a tad older than me broke his ribs last week playing. I think it's time for him to put the skates in his basement. :)
ReplyDeleteCanada leads Norway 3 to 0..
ReplyDeleteI used to watch a lot of hockey games because I grew up in Marquette Mi and hockey is a big thing up there
ReplyDeleteEnjoy watching and best wishes !
Canada beat Norway 8 to 0. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats! :)
ReplyDeleteI have to get off the olympics but it's all to grand, if there is only one gold medal that Canadians do want I would have to say it's within the game of Hockey Cheryl.
ReplyDeleteI am watching the China versus Finland women's ice hockey..last third left to play. Congratulations!
ReplyDeletemy ex boyfriend played pro hockey but his daughter who just turned 16 had tried out for the national team, sooooo young!
ReplyDeleteLoved watching it this morning er your last night :)
ReplyDeletethat sounds exciting ..do you have Curling ...and Hurling too..as in scotland ans Ireland ,,jack?
ReplyDeletesunday 4:30 PT canada vs usa mens hockey
ReplyDeletesunday oops
ReplyDeleteHi Caroline I just arrived home not too long ago and yes they have Curling on ice which comes from Hurling that I believe originated in Scotland that is where they throw the ball. It's not within the Winter Olympics. Ironic as both of these sports both orginate from Scotland Caroline.
ReplyDeleteComment deleted at the requst of the author < I get these and I literally have not been on here till not it must be the way my blog is set up.
ReplyDeleteTee right now women's Hockey is being played right now at Canada vs Sweden so far it's 12 to 1.... :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy it Less, I will often just do a check to see where the standing. Time Zone my friend time zones ! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's all going well, with the exception that there has been some negative press coverage from England on certain aspects of the game but I like it regardless of where it's beeing played I have not kept up with all of it but it's all within the sport and within the game. Now women have certain come a long ways within these games.
ReplyDeleteThat is a subject within itself.
When I was in Edmonton I met with the Edmonton Oilers father and I could not believe how young these players are now - I forget there names it's somewhere on my blog from back then but they are much younger now. So it seems. I think that the average age would be around 23, I could be wrong.
ReplyDelete