"Well I was hoping this game would convince you that hockey isn't as violent as you think," said Denny, an ex-hockey player who went with us, "But I guess that isn't the case?"
"Oh no, the refs only spent 43out of 45 minutes wrestling red faced thugs apart. There were probably at least 2 whole minutes of no one trying to bash someone else's brains against the ice. I expected a full 45 minutes of warfare."
"It's part of the game," explained my husband, "There is no anger in it. It is their job."
I am pretty sure that is what the pilot that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima said too.
"Afterwards," said Denny,"Those guys will all meet and go out for drinks."
"Unless of course," I added, "The hospital won't release them."
I suppose there are women fans, but I think hockey is one of those games best enjoyed with a heaping plate of testosterone.
I thought back to our Bible study that day. It was from James admonishing how one should behave in living out a life of faith. He had three guidelines in the chapter we read:
1. Be quick to listen
2. Be slow to speak
3. Be slow to anger.
Imagine how the game of hockey would be transformed if that were in the Hockey Rule book.
"Excuse me sir, I want to fully understand before I break your eye tooth.... what exactly was the deeper message you hoped to convey with slamming me into the boards? Did you have a troubled childhood? Did your parents look away when you ripped worms in half with your bare hands? Please explain so I might understand better this outburst of murderous rage in the guise of competition."
"Thank you so much for that gentle and measured response. Go ahead and shoot that puck into the goal, dear fellow. It is only a game, and your sweet soul is of immeasurable worth in the eyes of our Savior."
Then all the players would applaud the game winning shot, from both teams, hold hands and circle gracefully like in an ice show singing , "Kumbaya!"
We have another friend who is the chaplain for the Checkers hockey team. Again, I just have to wonder what his sermons are about, or his prayers before a game.
"Please dear Lord, stay our sticks that we might not inflict permanent damage on anyone's skeletal structure."
Or perhaps he reads them that passage from James, but they are all covering their ears and chanting, "Lalalalalalal!"
I just have a hard time with this game, but perhaps it is a genetic problem, an inability for someone lacking the y chromosome to ever truly understand. I actually just go to the game because my husband gets free box seats from work and free wine and munchies are provided.
Denny told me his young daughter watched a game once, and then asked him if when he played the game, he too got in fights.
"A few," he told her.
"Did you get smashed against the wall?" she asked.
"Some times," he answered.
There was silence, and then the little girl asked, "Daddy, do you need a hug?"
The strangest part is that Denny strikes me as one of the gentlest guys around. His kids are angels and his wife is a wonderful woman. They seem to have a loving and happy marriage, and I really am inspired by them all. The whole family is so full of love and kindness and Christ in action, that I am struggling with the disconnect. I guess I just really don't understand hockey. But I'm with Denny's daughter on this one.... I think all those hockey players need hugs.
Philippians 4: 4-5
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
I went to the Lightning pre-Stanley Cup playoffs with Sean and wife Tracy in Tampa. I must admit, I enjoyed watching hockey with them even more than I had imagined. Can't remember any unusual bouts of violence, but the game is lightning quick and full of energy. Loved the parties before and after, too....
ReplyDeletehmmm. Maybe they all took prozac before the game. There were at least 10 fights last night.Big pileups of people pounding each other. Like I said, the game is a great one, except I just don't find fighting good sportsmanship.
ReplyDeleteVicky,
ReplyDeleteI think a total of 9 people at a game fulfills your desire to have violence cease in Charlotte. How does the team survive? - Dad
Well Dad, actually i was using my common device of exaggeration, but it was only maybe one tenth full if that.
ReplyDeletelove,
Vicky