Ten reasons to get pumped for the Playoffs
Alan Bass
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports
As Jim Mora said, "playoffs? We're talking about playoffs?"
Damn right, Jim. The most exciting time of year, and the most important part of any hockey fan's year, no matter what age. The playoffs can make a 65 year-old retired man act the same as a 13 year-old child. The playoffs can do anything.
Everyone knows anything can happen in the playoffs. They can bring tears to every person, each for different reasons. It may be happiness for some, sadness for others, or anger that your team was so close and simply couldn't get it done. The playoffs bring out emotions in men that women did not think we were capable of having.
Everyone has their favorite moments of the playoffs, and the things they are most excited for. Here are mine:
10. The best hockey all year
Everyone knows that the best hockey occurs during the NHL playoffs. Remember that triple overtime game in the Stanley Cup finals last season? It was easily the best hockey game I have ever seen in my decade and a half of being a hockey fan. We get those kinds of games all the time though. Ask any hockey fan and they will tell you how amazing overtime is in the playoffs.
Best overtime of any sport, no questions asked.
9. Chicago Charade
The Chicago Blackhawks have finally made it back to the playoffs, and are an extremely talented team.
It isn't luck this year; this team is good. With Pat Kane, Captain Jonathan Toews, and the rest of the gang, this team has the potential to do a bit of damage in the playoffs.
8. Battle of Pennsylvania
Last year, the Battle of Pennsylvania was more of a massacre, with the Flyers losing their top two defensemen to injury and not having one of their top players in Simon Gagne.
With a healthy squad this postseason, will the battle be even more exciting than ever?
7. Crazy Fans
This is the time of year when the fans become crazy. And the crazy fans become insane. And the insane fans...well, you get the point. Just stand outside any NHL arena before a playoff game (you know, in cities that actually care about hockey), and you will see this in no time. Faces painted, hair colored, people screaming; everything is beautiful.
Damn right, Jim. The most exciting time of year, and the most important part of any hockey fan's year, no matter what age. The playoffs can make a 65 year-old retired man act the same as a 13 year-old child. The playoffs can do anything.
Everyone knows anything can happen in the playoffs. They can bring tears to every person, each for different reasons. It may be happiness for some, sadness for others, or anger that your team was so close and simply couldn't get it done. The playoffs bring out emotions in men that women did not think we were capable of having.
Everyone has their favorite moments of the playoffs, and the things they are most excited for. Here are mine:
10. The best hockey all year
Everyone knows that the best hockey occurs during the NHL playoffs. Remember that triple overtime game in the Stanley Cup finals last season? It was easily the best hockey game I have ever seen in my decade and a half of being a hockey fan. We get those kinds of games all the time though. Ask any hockey fan and they will tell you how amazing overtime is in the playoffs.
Best overtime of any sport, no questions asked.
9. Chicago Charade
The Chicago Blackhawks have finally made it back to the playoffs, and are an extremely talented team.
It isn't luck this year; this team is good. With Pat Kane, Captain Jonathan Toews, and the rest of the gang, this team has the potential to do a bit of damage in the playoffs.
8. Battle of Pennsylvania
Last year, the Battle of Pennsylvania was more of a massacre, with the Flyers losing their top two defensemen to injury and not having one of their top players in Simon Gagne.
With a healthy squad this postseason, will the battle be even more exciting than ever?
7. Crazy Fans
This is the time of year when the fans become crazy. And the crazy fans become insane. And the insane fans...well, you get the point. Just stand outside any NHL arena before a playoff game (you know, in cities that actually care about hockey), and you will see this in no time. Faces painted, hair colored, people screaming; everything is beautiful.