Every year around this time, I get into the same argument with people. As hard as I try, I rarely convince anyone. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are, hands down, the best postseason in all sports.
For two months, it's nothing but sweat and beards. Playoff hockey takes a physical and emotional toll on the players, coaches and fans.
There is no faster game out there, no other sport can change quicker in the blink of an eye the way hockey can. Experience a sudden-death playoff overtime game, and you will be on the edge of your seat. Sure, any game that comes down to the wire is thrilling, but because of the pace hockey is played, the outcome can change in an instant.
The other sports' playoffs lag significantly behind. In football, a team plays three or four games, each at least a week apart. In hockey, teams play a minimum of four games each series, often every other night.
Basketball games are only exciting when the games are close. Even then, with all the timeouts and fouls, games still takes forever. When hockey games aren't close, the action still does not stop, while each team has only one timeout per game.
Baseball is a little trickier, as the swing of a bat can change the entire outlook of a game, and watching your favorite team's closer on the mound is always a little nerve racking. But try watching slapshots repeatedly pound your team's goalie and praying he does not let one by him.
Besides, the rules of hockey allow players to fight. Why that fact alone does not hook more viewers, I will never know. Refs stand back while players of opposing teams duke it out.
And blood sure sticks out on a clean sheet of ice.
Take a look at player's faces mid-fight, and you'll see a look of extreme hatred. In the playoffs, it is more than dislike that coaxes players into throwing punches; it's a matter of pride.
Anyone remember Max Talbot's heroic fight against Daniel Carcillo in game six of last year's playoffs? Down three goals to none in the second period, the Penguins' Talbot and Flyers' heavyweight Carcillo went at it, with Carcillo winning easily. Talbot had the last laugh when his Penguins scored three goals in that period and two in the third. They won the game and the series.
Cost could be the primary reason hockey still has not caught on in America. Jerseys and tickets are more expensive than most sports, and there really is a world of difference between watching a game in person and on TV. For many, there isn't a chance to get hooked.
There may finally be hope, however, as more people are catching on to the excitement. So far this year, the playoffs have become the highest-rated and most-watched games broadcast on cable since 2002. National telecasts increased, as well as views on NHL.com and hits on NHL Mobile.
In America, the thrill of Olympic hockey seems to still resonate. As some of you may recall, the U.S. young guns had their hearts broken by one Sidney Crosby, an overtime thriller for the gold medal. Americans brought home the silver, but perhaps more importantly, sparked a renewed interest here in the U.S.
Outside their respective hometowns, not many knew who Ryan Miller, Patrick Kane or Zach Parise were before the Olympics. Miller was the Olympic hero for the United States, and all three played in the playoffs this season. At this time, Kane and his Blackhawks are still pursuing the massive Stanley Cup.
Hockey's playoff season is a joyous time of year for any hockey fan. If you are not turning the channel to Versus almost every night of the week or NBC on the weekends, give it a shot. You will walk away convinced.
Courtney Cohen is a sophomore studying journalism and Wednesday columnist for The Post. Send her your missing teeth at cc363207@ohiou.edu
4 Opinion
Courtney Cohen
