how can people hate this sport?

Question

hockey is such an amazing game i can't think why some people ahte it...is it to complicated for some people? that's what i've heard...i'd just like to hear what fans think of people who hate hockey and why people who hate it do

Answer 1

to the people that hate hockey is cause they don't understand this beautiful game. they've tried to skate and fell then gave up they cant follow the puck. if you look at the American sports there simple to learn and there not a fast game as hockey and just cant keep up with a fast game.


GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 2

As a season ticket holder and someone who LOVES hockey one of the things I like to do is take people to a hockey game who have never been and one thing that I always hear is "wow this game is so amazing in person" (I have turned everyone who has ever gone to a game into a hockey fan). The reason people do not like hockey and it does not sell well is because it is not a TV sport. Sadly most teams make their money from TV and everything else is just icing on the cake. On TV (although better in HD not perfect) the puck is easily lost, a person has to pay constant attention to even have a chance of following it and even then it can be tough if it goes into a corner or out of a zone before the camera pans.

Football you can watch casually and still be completely in the game, same thing with baseball. And the ball is so large in basketball you never lose it.

I try to suggest everyone go to a game live and check it out but unfortunately because the NHL TV contract is so small they have to make a lot of money at the gate and tickets are VERY expensive. Until HD becomes more popular and widespread I don't see much that can be done to help hockey on TV. But it is an amazing sport and I would suggest if you are able to get tickets go and take your friends they are sure to love it even if they don't know a thing about hockey you can explain it as it happens.

Answer 3

I LOVE hockey and it is the greatest sport in the world. I have taken people almost dragging and screaming to a game, once they saw it IN PERSON they appreciated it. But here are some of my theories:

1. It has a very bad reputation because of the fighting, to the point where people who don't know the game think they fight instead of play hockey. Admittedly, people like Marty McSorley and Todd Bertuzzi do not help. But in my mind most of it comes from the idiot media who think broadcasting the highlights means showing the fights, not the goals and the point-blank saves.

2. It IS hard to explain the rules to a newcomer. Not only are there a lot of special cases to explain (you can ice the puck when short a man, you can use your hands to knock the puck down but NOT to pass, goals have to go off sticks not feet UNLESS it is unintentional and on and on.....) it takes a while for the newcomer to realize why rules like offside and icing exist at all.

3. Go to a sporting goods store, buy a basketball, you can play basketball. To play hockey you need to spend about $500 MINIMUM for your gear AND find some ice AND (in most of the U.S.) find an organized league. And if you do all that (as I once did) you get REAL frustrated that the pros make it look so easy and YOU can't get from point A to point B on the skates.

4. Listening to a game on the radio does not do it justice. Even watching on TV is not the same as being there. And even being there often all you see is a lot of players in front of the net and the red light suddenly go on. Again, to REALLY get an appreciation for what kind of skills the players have and what kind of shape they have to be in, try playing it.

Don't get me wrong, it's the greatest sport in the world. It needs much more exposure in the U.S., people willing to explain it to other people, and people "fighting" (pun intended) the myths the media put out there about it.

Answer 4

It is a misunderstood game because most of the world didn't grow up playing it. Most in the world grew up playing soccor. That game sucks but due to the inexpense of the game it is the most popular sport in the world. Hockey is the most expensive team sport in the world. Most of your loyal fan base comes from participating in it as a kid. Soccor, Baseball, Football, and Basketball have a bigger reach. These sports you can go out and get a pick up game together but you can't do that with Hockey unless you live in the Artic Circle.

I love hockey and think it is the greatest sport on earth but this is why people hate. They just don't understand it or didn't participate in it.

Answer 5

You have to be zoned in during the entire game, or you might miss it - today the casual fan is in the NFL, they watch what, maybe 20% of the entire game and still think they can analyze the tar out of it. I've been a hockey fan all my life (30+ years) and I'm still learning more about the game as it's played. It takes an attention span that not many fans have or are willing to have in order to truly watch and appreciate hockey. My opinion of course...

Answer 6

Some people like ice fishing. I'm not going to hate em for it...but some people just need to hate something. I know my ex-wife loved it till I blew of a wedding to watch the Sabres in the cup finals in 99. She showed up to the reception thinking I was going to meet her there and 3 hours later she found me in a bar next to the place I was suppose to be at. after that she took issue with Hockey and told me it was either her or hockey. She's my ex now...

GO Hockey GO

Answer 7

Look at what the masses like--pap! Who cares what people hate or like? It's all individual taste. Take anyone who hates hockey to a live game esp. a junior one and they'll be instant fans.

Answer 8

With the new rules the game has lost its physical presence, it's become more of a soft game with games being filled with power-play after power-play. Hardcore hockey fans and long-time hockey fans have lost interest in the game because of the soft play now and with hitting now not happening much.

Answer 9

wow, the last person needs more knowledge about hockey. There is so much more than back and forth puck movement and few goals. Sit down and watch a game and you will see it takes quite a bit of skill to play. It is a more exciting back and forth game than basketball by far.

Answer 10

People who say they hate hockey are usually people who don't understand the intricacies of the game