...and omg! I never thought I'd say that. I won't go as far as saying it's as good as rugby, but it's not too far behind. I attended my first ever ice hockey game last Sunday and it was out of this world! I absolutely loved it. It was a game between the Geneva Servette Hockey Club and the Lugano Hockey Club in the Swiss hockey league.
My Canadian friend and I arrived at the arena an hour before the game started and already the place was pumping. People were streaming in and we noticed most of them were holding a teddy bear or peluche in French. Turns out, it was the match for "Operation Peluches" where fans would throw their teddy bears into the rink after Geneva's first goal, and these would be donated to the children's hospital.
Geneva scored the first goal and next thing you know, it's raining teddy bears. From all corners of the stadium people were throwing them into the ice rink. The game stopped and the Geneva club from their A team to the juniors started collecting the teddy bears in boxes. I just read they collected over 3000 teddy bears!
What an atmosphere I tell you! And if you've been to Geneva, you'll know it's not one of the most vibrant cities in the world but the stadium was packed and there was an area for standing room only, and they had like a cheer squad! Honestly, I was amazed. The cheering that day rivaled any cheering from South America or Samoa for that matter! There were drums, vuvuzelas and megaphones and throughout the game, they kept supporting their boys.
And the funniest thing, Geneva's hockey team sucks BIG TIME! (I know, I'm SO bad!)
I really liked it because it's such an easy game to understand. 6 players per team and the aim is to get the puck into the net. It's fast paced, very physical (my kinda game!) and strategic too. Easy peasy. Not long into the game my friend was laughing because here I was screaming my lungs off at the Geneva team to take advantage of the power play when I've only just learnt what a power play is five minutes before!?! Ah! nothing like sports to get my adrenalin pumping!
Needless to say, Geneva lost 3-2 after leading for the most part 1-0 against Lugano (again... they suck! ARGH!) but I left there feeling pretty psyched about ice hockey and already planning to see another game.
And there you have it my friends, another quality experience to add to my 2012 portfolio! I hope your weekend was just as great as mine! :)
PS. Will post pictures when I get the chance... especially of the teddy bears. Y'all will be amazed!
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