H is for Hockey!

So I won't even pretend to act like I know everything about sports.

Readers in unison: "But Venus, YES YOU DO!!!"

Ok ok ok, yes you all flatter me, but I really don't know ANYTHING at all about hockey other than I can buy a puck for a buck at the Knoxville Ice Bears game and chuck it into the center of the ice to try and win a prize.

Cue Kailyn who so generously offered to give us the full run down on Hockey!!! 

Pictures + detailed examples = smarter Venus and smarter YOU!

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Hello lovely Venus Trapped readers. I'm Kailyn, over at SMALLS. I'd give you the run down on my life, but that's not why I'm here. You see, my boyfriend of 5 years plays hockey. Before I met him, I would go to as many San Diego Gulls games as I could, because my mom's work had season tickets, until they ceased operations and we were left with no semi-pro hockey in San Diego. If you can see where I'm going with this, today, we're going to talk about hockey, which will include some insight on, rules, fighting, what to wear to a game, and game etiquette.

UNDERSTANDING THE RULES //

Offside: offensive player is completely over the blue line before the puck crosses.

Icing: a player shoots the puck across at least two red lines, the opposing team's goal line being the last, and the puck remains untouched.

High Sticking: pretty basic, player brings stick above the shoulders or goal crossbar

Hooking: the act of using the stick in a manner that enables a player or goalkeeper to restrain an opponent

Tripping: pretty basic, tripping another player with your stick or skate.

Slashing: offending player swings their hockey stick at an opposing player

Goalie Interference: physically impeding or checking the goalie

Cross Check: Hitting an opponent with the stick when it is held with two hands and no part of the stick is on the ice

HITS & FIGHTING //

My favorite parts of the game. Watching a legit hit, is like seeing a home run in baseball, that's how exciting it is, for me at least. But they good thing about hockey, is that hits come along throughout the game. Excitement. All. Game. Long.  If you're really lucky, you'll get maybe 2-3 legit fights a game. Meaning, both players agree to fight. They'll give each other the nod, toss their stick and gloves and just go at it.

WHAT TO WEAR //

Be comfortable, but stylish. I always rock a jersey or tee and I never bring a big purse. It just gets in the way.

GAME ETIQUETTE //

Let's face it. If you've ever been to a professional sporting event, you hear a lot of people yelling at the players/game/refs, but half these people have no idea what they are talking about. Let's go through some etiquette rules.

ONE // do not start yelling at the players to shoot the puck when there is no open shot. That's just straight up retarded and you don't know what your talking about.

TWO // don't try to explain to your neighbors what a penalty is, if you don't know the definition yourself. You just sound dumb.

THREE // don't get up 3 or 4 times a period for bathroom/beer/food run. It's annoying to those that sit around you. If you absolutely have to get up, do it all at once.

FOUR // do not talk shit to away fans. It's rude and childish. Yippee your team won, don't go around rubbing it in their faces, chances are, you'll get punch. Hockey fans are not afraid to fight. Also, if your team lost, don't go shouting to the winning teams fans that their team still sucks, you'll get another punch in the face.

FIVE // as with any sport..DON'T BE A BANDWAGON FAN! Nobody likes a bandwagon fan.

SIX // enjoy the game. [I honestly can't think of any thing else to put]

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So whatcha think, kids?? You get hockey a bit more now?