If you need convincing that hockey is the best sport to have ever been created then you’ve come to the right place! From the exciting atmosphere generated at every game, to the fast pace of the matches and the amazing celebrations, the reasons why this sport comes out on top are countless.
Once you’ve had a good read of the list below, you’ll be looking up hockey odds to get involved with the next match that comes up. The following is in no particular order, and each reason is just as important as the next.
It’s played on a giant sheet of ice
First of all, hockey is played on a massive sheet of ice. This alone sets it apart from other popular sports such as baseball, football, and basketball, which are all played on solid ground. Players of these sports wear specially designed boots for grip.
With hockey, on the other hand, players wear boots with a blade attached to the bottom so they can slide along the ice with little friction. The skill required to do this at high speed whilst trying to focus on getting a puck into the goal against another team is unmatched, and is a great reason why hockey is so amazing.
The players have the ability to control the game
In many popular sports, referees and umpires control the majority of the gameplay. In hockey, the referees don’t hold quite the same power as the officials in other sports. The flow of the game is largely controlled by the players, who can speed up the game or slow it down.
They can also get involved with scuffles with little repercussions, which you just can’t do in other sports. This makes the games a lot more exciting to watch as a spectator as you never really know what’s going to happen next.
Hockey is a team sport
In the majority of team sports, one single player has most of the power and control in the game. This can be seen in sports such as football, where the quarterback controls the game, and in baseball, where the pitcher has a huge influence on the outcome of the match. In hockey, every player is just as important as the other, which creates an amazing environment where the players are working as a team to defeat their opponents.
The speed
When it comes to the speed of a sport, nothing is as fast-paced as hockey. From the speed at which the players travel on the ice, to the acceleration of the puck when the players pass to each other and shoot, you have to be paying close attention to follow the action.
This also means that hockey never gets boring, with none of the slow periods of play that you often find in other sports.
Hockey players are warriors
When it comes to arguing about who are the toughest athletes on the planet, it’s easy to see why many people give this title to hockey players. The strength and power it takes to balance on the ice at high speeds is unique to hockey. Hockey players are also known to break bones on the ice and still keep playing until the final buzzer.
These players are certainly built differently in comparison with athletes from other sports. In players have been known to leave the court for an ingrown toenail, and in baseball, players will sit out the match if they have a few blisters on their feet.
Goal celebrations
Goal celebrations are an important part of any sport. There have been some fantastic and innovative celebrations across the sporting world. However, hockey takes it to the next level, and then some! When a team scores a goal in hockey they sometimes do what’s known as a celly.
This is when all of the players get together to perform a choreographed celebration routine that’s been practiced and perfected beforehand. It’s always a match highlight, and makes for some great entertainment for the fans.
