Sadly, No One Lost a Tooth
Now, I’ve never thought of myself as a violent sports person, but I’m slowly realising that my favourite sports are all a tad violent. One of the sports I’ve been most excited to see while on exchange here is hockey. Straight up, I just wanted to see someone lose a tooth. Even more so when I found out it’s referred to as “spittin’ chiclets.”
Maybe it was the cold, maybe the Tim Horton’s everywhere, but I loved the atmosphere in the Gryphon Centre. I’ve seen football, but this was by far my favourite college sports atmosphere so far. “
#28 Todd Winder, my roommate owes you a poutine for that score.
”
I’d heard that hockey is the “fastest game,” but I wasn’t prepared for just how fast it is. My roommate and I have been watching hockey compilation videos and I’ve been commenting that I don’t understand why the crowd is so over the top. Actually seeing a game, it took a few minutes for me to learn how to follow the puck, but once I could it was amazing! I’ve never been so violently passionate about a game, (except maybe rugby during state of origin) — and this was only a college game. I can’t imagine how I’d behave at a Maple Leafs game. I still don’t quite get why you’d heckle a player or get into a full on brawl in the stands, but still…
One of my favourite things about the game is the penalty box. Because let’s be honest, it’s just the naughty corner. And boy do they misbehave on the ice. Breaking their sticks? The bodyslams? I loved it, but I can’t really believe they actually break their sticks. Seems like a waste of money.
During the final period — (why don’t you just call it a third, by the way) — the atmosphere was exhilarating. We, the Gryphons, were tied with Waterloo, the puck was down our end, and we were so sure that if we scored one more goal we’d have it in the bag. My roommate, Viktor, yelled out in desperation to our team, “if you put it in I’ll buy you a poutine” — and just like that, the puck went in. The magic of poutine.
Then Waterloo scored again.
Then we went into overtime and Waterloo scored again.
I think this was one of the top ten most devastating moments of my life… Even so, hockey is my new favourite sport. Too bad I’ll soon be returning to a country completely devoid of it.
While I am still in Guelph, I’m definitely going to try getting to more games, I may even try and swing Leafs tickets… If I eat ramen for the rest of my stay, I could maybe afford it.
Oh, and to #28 Todd Winder, my roommate owes you a poutine for that score.