I've read several posts on here about people complaining they can't see the puck in hockey games. I can see it. All of Canada can see it. And then there as the infamous colour tail graphic on the pucks. Are black and white too similar? I'm not anti-american at all but this has always left me scratching my head.
2006-07-06 08:34:04 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Hockey
This has nothing to do with America and everything to do with people not paying attention. The "comet" that FOX tried to afix to the puck was one of the worst ideas in sports marketing EVER.
Most non-hockey watchers remember the 20 seconds they saw of the game back in 1982 when the puck was along the near boards in some game and how they couldn't see it. Granted, a three inch black disk traveling at 100 mph off the slapshot of Al McInnis is going to leave most reaching for their glasses, but just put the whining up to people looking for an excuse not to expose themselves to "the Coolest Game on Earth"
2006-07-06 09:55:13 · answer #1 · answered by Sean/Guy Wiley 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Black and white are far too similar. Perhaps if they used a beige puck...Seriously, there are a lot of factors at play here. One of those is the size of the puck. Let's face it, it's smaller than a football, basketball, soccer ball, and even a baseball. Second, the speed of the puck. A weak slap shot is going to go about 80 mph ( I don't know what that is in kph...maybe 60?). Passes don't go nearly as fast, but fast enough that an amateur hockey viewer could lose it. Anyway, It's hard to track something going that fast when it is only 3 inches wide and an inch thick. Third, camera angles on TV. When the puck is close to the nearside boards, you can't see it...It just disappears and then reappears a couple of seconds later. If you have a decent understanding of physics, you can still follow it somewhat. Finally, you have to train yourself to watch hockey on TV (it's easier to follow the puck at a live game). Amateurs who aren't really familiar with the sport or it's rules spend all their time watching the players, hoping for a big hit or a fight. That's not what hockey is about folks. It's better to focus on the puck, pay attention, and let your peripheral vision pick up the big hits. If a fight breaks out, don't worry, the camera will shift to it soon enough. Point is, seeing the puck is not a Canadian trait anymore than not seeing it is an American trait. You have to train yourself, and Canadians seem to have a lot more training because it is so much more popular there. That said, as a West Virginia, U.S. resident I have no problem seeing the puck, and I'm deeply saddened by the Edmonton Oilers losing to the Hurricanes.
2006-07-07 10:49:50 · answer #2 · answered by dsnuf2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe those people aren't choosing to see the puck. Sit me at the top of the nose bleeds in any arena and I see it. If I'm watching hockey on OLN, NBC, ESPN, CBC or anywhere else, I always see the puck. And there is no need for that stupid tail. That's just a distraction. Just tell those silly people that they just need to pay attention...and I hope I was able to restore your faith in Americans. :)
2006-07-06 20:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by devilsgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I liked the answer Lotusice gave. It isn't just an American problem. I surmise that there are more Canadians who cannot follow the puck since there are a greater percentage of them who watch the game compared to us Americans. Not to mention the vast numbers of Canadians who have that 25 pound rock stuffed up their behinds that we call a head.
2006-07-07 09:34:35 · answer #4 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually us Americans who watch can see the puck fine. It is the crappy production quality. They can't see the puck on TV because half the time the network isn't showing it.
2006-07-06 19:49:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that that is an "american" problem. Any person watching a hockey game (or any quick sport) the first few times will have a problem keeping up with what is going on. Canadians aren't born being able to see the pcuk immediately.
2006-07-06 18:32:41 · answer #6 · answered by lidstromnumber1fan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an American, and I can see the puck just fine. Particularly when I take it off the stick of a Canuck forward.
"Oh, were you trying to do something with that? Sorry, *eh!*"
2006-07-06 16:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by lotusice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey they got rid of that stupid trail! Although I thought it was cool that it turned blue when the puck exceeded a certain speed. Give us a break! American boys are brought up on baseball!
2006-07-06 15:38:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Bruins fan from the US and I see the puck just fine
2006-07-06 19:39:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can follow a puck. I hate that damn color trail thing. That should be a option on one channel for people that cant see.
2006-07-06 20:20:36 · answer #10 · answered by Biker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋