Gratitude Sundae | Day 14 of 30thanks

Well I can't stay up to date very well, so I guess I'll just plug at my own pace.

Gratitude Sundae | Day 14 of 30thanks

10 Random things which I'm currently thankful for.

1. Sports in High Definition- Because that is the way they are meant to be watched.

2. Finally getting to play Ice Hockey- Not only something that will keep me in shape this winter (hopefully) but that it is also a lifelong dream

3. Winning $5 on a $2 scratch off this week- What can I say, I'm kinda lucky.

4. Going with my family to watch the Blackhawks in Chicago- It was absolutely awesome.

5. Finally getting to try Al's beef which my mother raved about many times- It was juicy, spicy, and every bit as tasty as I hoped.

6. My two cats, Baba and Elphie- Cats are awesome, and my two cats are fun because they are opposites. Baba is a playful ragdoll clown who always wants attention, and Elphie is more like the bitch cat that only wants attention on her terms. It's actually a good balance.

7. A lot of really good TV shows- The Office, Outsourced, Storm Chasers, GLEE, How I Met Your Mother, Modern Family, and Parenthood. Every day of the week I have something interesting to watch. Never before have I simultaneously been following this many quality shows.

8. Winter/Holiday Beers- As a self admitting beer lover for more than just warm feelings, I must say that I look forward to this season every year for the sheer quantity of quality beers that start showing up on the shelves. While I love a nice crisp wheat ale in the summer, or a rich Oktoberfest in the fall, nothing beats the dark, warming, full bodied, taste of a winter lager/ale.

9. Decaf coffee- For some reason I've always been fairly sensitive to caffeine. If I drink regular coffee past like 7pm I won't sleep. Yet I love the flavor of it, and so Decaf is a good low calorie drink for alleviating oral fixation and over-eating both of which I'm prone to.

10. Where's George? - I love being a crazy georger. Marking bills and watching them bounce around the globe is a fantastic time waster.

Getting up to Date (30 Thanks: Rapid Fire!)

Days 9-13


Thank an admin | Day 9 of 30thanks

Thank you to Clinic Administration at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. When I deliver pizza for Bluffton Pizza Hut, I very much enjoy going to Clinic Administration. Not only are they loyal and patient customers, but they always tip generously.

Thank A Parent & The Reason Behind the Gratitude Adventure | Day 10 of 30thanks

A hearty thank you to my biological parents for giving me a chance on this earth, and also to my real parents for giving me the life I have. I'm grateful to have been raised with with tender care and yet you let me figure out many things in life for myself. I know I can be a pain in the ass, but I love you both and thanks for continuing to put up with me.

Thank a Guardian | Day 11 of 30thanks

A couple weeks ago in my anthropology class the guy who sits behind me in class who's name is Terrence, went to the front of the room to do his show and tell presentation. The assignment was to explain something that represented our subculture, or ethnic culture.

The item he chose was an army combat helmet.

"This---he said, is a helmet... it protects your head." to which the class chuckled at his joke

He paused, and added "It is actually a replacement for my other one, which was damaged when we hit an I.E.D."

"I'm a medic...I wasn't even supposed to be the gunner that night, but my buddies had to sleep sometime too"

He paused and indicated he was finished.

There was an awkward silence that fell over the classroom as he walked back to his seat.

Up until that point I had no idea who Terrance was, just the guy who sits behind me..and I guess I still don't know him..

But at that moment, I was overcome with such a sense of gratitude for him. As I sat there I couldn't help but think that this person sitting next to me put his life on the line in some faraway country so I could have the opportunity to be in the anthropology class to begin with.

Thank you to Terrence, and every other person serving our country. sometimes I don't understand the reason our country fights, but there will never be enough said for those who take on that responsibility.

Counter a complaint with gratitude | Day 12 of 30thanks

Giving a lengthy segment of gratitude on this blog everyday is tough, especially when I'm lazy, but I'm grateful for this opportunity and to be a part of this interesting project.

Thank the last person who made you smile | Day 13 of 30thanks

That would be my dear roommate Kimberly, when I was pouring my coffee obnoxiously loud she said "Do you really have to do that"

To which I responded....

Why yes I DO!

We laughed


Sam

Thank someone who inspires you | Day 8 of 30thanks

Today I would like to thank several people for inspiring me and whom watching brings me great entertainment. I will call them collectively; the young guns of the National Hockey League.

For those who don't know me very well, I'm a pretty hardcore hockey fan, I watch hockey basically every night of the week as well as playing it myself.

In a previous post I mentioned that my love of hockey has been a bit of a rebirth for me, and part of that is the transformation of the game in recent years to an emphasis on speed a skill.

The newer generations of players have been a big part of that transformation. These 18-23 year old players are part of the reason I tune in every night, because to me they can be absolutely awe inspiring and just plain fun to watch.


So for the fun of it, here are my top ten inspiring "young guns"


1. Jonathan Toews. I'm a Blackhawks fan so this is no brainer. Jonathan Toews is the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks and he brings a seriousness and work ethic to the game every night that is unparalleled. He drives his teammates to be better, and hes a fantastic playmaker.



2. Patrick Kane. You can't mention Toews without his partner in crime Patrick Kane. He is the 2nd piece of the Chicago rebuild and although he gets himself in trouble every year for off ice shenanigans he is one of the best puck handlers in the league. Nicknamed Doctor Kane by his teammates because of his surgical precision with the puck.



3. Steven Stamkos. Speaking of rebuilding a franchise, Steven Stamkos is a big part of that for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is one of the most productive goal scorers in the league and hes only 20 years old. A threat to score every time hes on the ice.



4. P.K. Subban. Gotta show some love for a fantastic defensemen. Subban was called up from the AHL last season during the playoffs(talk about pressure!) and was a critical piece of the Canadians Cinderella run. I love his work ethic and attitude. definitely an inspiring player.



5.Evander Kane. Atlanta Thrashers winger Evander Kane is not only a fun scorer to watch, but he also knows how to throw down. Perhaps his greatest highlight last year was knocking Pittsburgh's tough guy Matt Cooke flat on his arse.



6. Evgeni Malkin. Malkin is one of those players that can absolutely dazzle. I've never been a big fan of the Penguins but its hard not to respect the talent of Malkin. When Malkin is hot he knows how to find a lot of twine.



7. Sidney Crosby. If I mention Malkin, I have to mention his teammate Crosby. Crosby is one of the faces of the NHL, hes one of the most well known players, and really was on the forefront of the youth movement. Hes scores, he fights, he passes, he rallies his team. A fantastic player and captain.



The next and final 3 guys are all rookies this year, and very likely going to be future stars.

8. Jordan Eberle. I watched Eberle's first NHL appearance live, and he was hard not to appreciate the talent, and by that I actually mean swoon like a schoolgirl. Eberle is going to be electrifying. Along with first round pick this year Taylor Hall, Edmonton is on their way to building a great team.



9. Taylor Hall. Edmonton had to choose between Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall for the first round pick this year and they went with Taylor Hall. I think they made the right choice. Hall has that poise and determination that will make him a great player. He has two goals this season and they aren't exactly highlight reel material but here is the first NHL goal for this future star.



10. Tyler Seguin. Just because Edmonton got the so called better pick, Boston got another young superstar with with second pick in Tyler Seguin. Seguin is a really fun guy to listen to in interviews because hes really at ease, and his play style is also fun to watch. Definitely looking forward to Tyler as much as Taylor.

Gratitude Mission, Day 6: Say thanks for (or put some) fun in the mail

I rarely get meaningful snail mail anymore. It's kind of like an antiquated relic of the olden days it seems. The only thing I get in the mail are advertisements, bills, and very occasionally something from a relative.

That is except for the package I got in the mail a couple weeks ago.

It was a smallish box from the postal service which initially I was dumbfounded by because I couldn't think of anything Kim or I had ordered online recently.

It turned out to be a care package from the womens group at the Lutheran Church which my family is part of. It was actually the second one I had received from them although this one really surprised me because I expected it to be a one time thing, in fact my address had changed so they even took the time to track down my new address to send me another one.

The box was absolutely loaded with candy, snacks, and school supplies. They really went all out to spoil me. Although I'm not sure who ate more of it, me or my
roommate!

Needless to say this was a very kind gesture, and I was grateful to receive it!


Thanks again, Ladies of the Luthern Church!

Thank someone who makes a loved one’s life better | Day 5 of 30Thanks

Perhaps I'll allow myself to cheat slightly with today's gratitude mission. Instead of thanking just one person I would like to thank several people.

Those several people are my parents neighbors, and even though I don't live with my parents anymore I still very much think of them as my neighbors too.

I think as my brother and I got older and eventually moved out it was really nice to know that our parents were in good company.

It is difficult for me to pretend I know every way that our neighbors effect my parents lives, but I know for sure that it is such a positive one.

The newest member of our neighborhood community is Diane, who rents the trailer behind my parents house. I know that Diane has been one of the best tenants my parents have ever dealt with. She does a wonderful job keeping her place nice and is always paying on time. Not to mention the most important thing which is that Diane opens her deck to friends once a week and I know my Mom really enjoys being invited and socializing with her "girls group" or whatever shes calling it.

Of course I can't forget our other neighbors Karen and Caleb and their little girl Mikayla which I probably butchered the spelling of. Karen and Caleb are a lot of fun and I know my parents just love having a little kid around again. They were always saying I grew up too fast.

And there is Les and Mary who live on the other side of us, who my parents have lived beside for a couple of decades if I'm not mistaken. Les and Mary are two of the most kind hearted people I've ever met. Mary and my Mom both have that love of taking care of animals that exceeds normal amounts of compassion. Mary takes care of the neighborhood stray cats by giving them food and water. Not to mention several of her own. Les on the other hand is handy-man extraordinaire. A locksmith by trade but really he can fix or build just about anything. I know my parents feel very grateful for his skills! And I should mention that I DO TOO!!

And there is Ilene across the street who despite having some health problems and losing her husband recently is always seeming to radiate that positive attitude and kindness which is such a great quality in a neighbor. I know my parents like having her next to them. Getting a wave and a smile from Ilene is one of those things that is just part of being home.

This assignment is a little difficult because I think it is sort of hard to speak for someone else, and unfortunately I probably missed a lot of important details about why our neighbors make my parents life better, but I'm certain that they mean a lot to my parents. I've heard my mom say on several occasions that she feels really great about the little community they have and I know what she means.

Being surrounded by our great neighbors is definitely one thing I miss about home.

Thank a utility or service worker | Day 4 of 30thanks

Utility and service workers do so much for us and yet many of them remain unknown and nameless to us. We see them sometimes, in the thick of their work doing things to keep us comfortable and happy in our modern life and yet they are sometimes no more to us than "the guy" or "the woman" who does something.

Today I would like to thank one of those nameless workers, I don't mean "nameless" as a figure of speech either.. I do actually mean nameless.. sadly I never got his name.

He was the maintenance man at Colonial Crest apartments where my girlfriend and I recently lived in Bloomington.

Our experience living at that apartment was pretty sub par. Management was always changing and were generally uncooperative, the internet sucked, the building was old, the dish washer didn't work... basically everything you would expect from a relatively low-rent apartment complex.

However one major bright spot of our experience there was our maintenance man. Through our time at the apartment we ran into quite the far share of utility failures and appliance issues and the maintenance man was always very prompt in coming to our place to fix whatever we had wrong.

But really it wasn't that he was just prompt, he always had a smile on his face and he was just one of those people that radiated with positive attitude. I always felt like he liked coming to our place, and he always gave me a wave and smile when I saw him around the complex.

During a time when it seemed like a lot of our complaints were ignored he finished every job to the best of his abilities and often times got pretty dirty doing it. I felt very lucky to have a guy like him around us.

I feel bad because he always called me by name but I never did get his name...

Unfortunately I think many others know exactly what I'm talking about..to many of us these workers are nameless, even if we greatly respect the work they do.

Remember to get the name of your maintenance man next time, I'm sad I didn't, but I'm really thankful we had him and he is one thing I will always miss about those apartments.

Gratitude Mission, Day 3: Thank someone who makes you laugh

I thought I would get on this gratitude party my cousin is doing over on her blog marissabracke.com

There are a lot of people that make me laugh, both people that I know and people that I don't know. Interestingly the guy I want to thank for making me laugh today I don't actually know, but after listening to him several times I'm pretty sure I know more about him than most comedians!

That guy is Mike Birbiglia. I first heard this comedian on one my favorite podcasts (This American Life). Every time he does a segment on This American Life I laugh my ass off. I was immediately drawn to his style because it was very conversational and simple, and he was an excellent story teller.

A couple weeks ago I was overjoyed when I noticed updating my podcasts that he was featured on NPR's Fresh Air. (interview link)

In the interview he talks a lot about his life, and his style of comedy and he really hits on this idea that comedy is supposed to be about talking about stuff that makes us uncomfortable, and that is exactly what he does. Whether its talking about his first makeout session, getting bullied, his parasomnia disorder, or even his bout with cancer, he puts a lot of his personal life on the line, and casts it in a comedic light.

I could go on for quite some time about why I like Mike Birbiglia. To keep it short; When I'm commuting and he comes on my Ipod, I don't want the drive to end.

Thank you for making me laugh Mike Birbiglia.

A ride into the past

Tonight I decided to take a bike ride.

My first bike ride in years, and yes I suppose it is true that "You can't forget to ride a bike"

I pedaled across the streets and sidewalks of my childhood, basking in the ghostly humid dusk of early August. It's interesting how quickly a pleasure like bike riding is lost in the glow of late adolescence when the efficiency and allure of a car overtakes the old reliable bicycle.

It amazed me how the old wreck of simplistic machinery was able to evoke such vivid images of my past...Particularly the years before middle school. Something about summer always seems to hold a window to the emotions of yesterday.

As I drifted up and down the roads my mind remembered what summer meant as a child.

Long summer days, when time went slow and the joy of being young never ended. The nights spent swinging in the tire swing and whacking hockey balls against the stairs, playing video games in the crisp air conditioning, and of course riding bikes.

Back then I wished August would never come, because that meant school was almost starting again. There is something so sacred about nights of late summer. August meant finality, that all good things must come to an end, and yet even in the waning moments of summer there was still hope that there was still some summer enjoyment left.

Summer is so unlike any other season.. The days and nights are long, and the days and weeks bleed together in one sticky hot bliss, and yet it all seems to come to an abrupt end quicker than we want it to-- particularly as kids.

Sometimes I feel it is the only real bittersweet season, It lasts long enough to build such awesome soul embedded memories and yet it has such a definitive end.

As I've grown up I've began to look forward to school starting much more than I ever did before, but for some reason as I rode tonight that stirring childhood thought of the end of summer reminded me so vividly what it felt like to cling to those final moments.




Sam

The tune has changed

Today I logged another couple miles with my Dad

It was a nice relatively cool evening and there were a number of other people out enjoying the Ossian park trail.

As usual my Dad said Hello to every single one of them, except it so happened that every person we saw had headphones in their ears.

After a non-response from the second person with headphones in my Dad said something disgruntled about ipods and how he doesn't like them.

"Well Dad you know I run with an iPod if I'm not running with you" I responded..
"I know you do" he said back in a defeated tone.

It's a conversation we've had before...

It's centered around the idea that the current generation of technology has caused park-goers to become incredibly disconnected from the friendly "Hello's, and "how are you's" that my Dad believes are part of the way people should act.

In fact he once suggested that people should yell to people in front of them on the trails if they are approaching so that one person doesn't run into another.

I of course thought this idea was laughable considering the sheer number of people with headphones, as well as the fact that if everyone on foot stays in the same side of the track there should be no issues.

My Dad of course refused to see it that way, instead he thought it was just people "generally not giving a shit like they used to".

Interestingly it also brings up another point that technology has become much different than it used to.

"You know Dad, if you had iPods when you were younger you would have loved them too" I suggested

"I know it....we just never had anything that portable" He said again sounding slightly defeated.

Right after I said that we passed another person with headphones, this guy looked like he was around my Dad's age.

"See Dad, even that guy has an iPod" I said

"I bet if we got you an iPod and put some of your favorite music on it you would love it....I bet your mile times would increase quite a bit" I joked.

Dad then talked about some music he would like to put on an ipod, and agreed he would probably end up running faster.

I can't help but wonder what it will be like for me when I'm my Dad's age. Maybe ill look at the technology of tomorrow and think people are "missing the point" somehow.

I guess I'll have to get back to you on that one





Sam

90 Miles in 90 Days: A Father Son Adventure

The rebirth started in the fall,


The sport of hockey crept back into my life. As a young kid I was obsessed with hockey and for some reason all the passion and love of the sport came rushing back to me as I began following the game again.

Of course anyone who really loves a sport, also loves to play it. Hockey was no different. So the early fall of last year I began forming a roller hockey club at IU with other diehard hockey fans. Eventually we were playing 2-3 times a week whether it rained, snowed, or was 20 degrees. It didn't matter, as long as our goalie showed up and there was a hockey ball we played.

Of course playing roller hockey requires a good amount of endurance. Now at the time I was going to the gym regularly and had lost a good chunk of weight but I was still lacking in endurance. Hockey made me want to push myself even harder. This included attempting to run.

Running had always seemed to me as the ultimate test of fitness, no cardio-machine or indoor workout could match the sheer primal and visceral experience of shoes on pavement. So I decided to start jogging, which of course was pretty bleak at the start. My 240lb body and unconditioned cardio-vascular system would defeat me
on the track/trail much quicker than I wanted it to. So I amped up my workouts at the gym and played as hard as I could on the hockey court so that soon I could enter the holy grail of fitness.

Here's where my Dad comes in.

I'm home from school visiting my folks one weekend and I ask my Dad if he would like to go for a jog with me. Now my Dad hadn't run in at least 15-20 years (I think?) but I thought I would ask anyway.. I honestly figured it was a longshot if he was to say 'yes'.

I remember the conversation because my Dad quickly shot me down. It was a sort of trained response almost as if he accepted that with his age and work schedule any sort of physical activity like that would be silly. I didn't think much of it at first, but it wasn't long after that as I was started to get ready for my jog that he came in to my room and said "You know... I would actually really like to do that"

So my Dad went into his room and found an old ratty pair of running shoes from his days of when he used to run all the time- sometimes over 6 miles a day! and we set out for the park trail.

I guess that day must have been my dad's version of fitness re-birth. He realized that even being 60 years of age he could could still run. He was a shell of his former self in terms of how far he could run, but could still do it! After all those years he still had that spark of passion for an activity he used to love. Ever since that day my Dad has been running. He usually runs around the Ossian park trail and hes actually worked himself back up to being able to do 4 miles without stopping, a feat that continues to impress me and take pride in him. He might not say it, but I think hes pretty damn proud too of how far hes come and how long hes kept it up.

Since I've been home for the summer I've had the pleasure of sharing his experience and building my own fitness greatly. In June my Dad told me about a work incentive at his factory that encouraged participating employees to walk 90 miles in 90 days. Dad brought it up in casual conversation, one of many seminar's he attends at his work to kill 15 minutes of time that isn't spent on the factory floor.

As we went around the track that day I got to thinking that this 90 miles in 90 days could be something that Dad and I could do together as a father son activity that would also help us accomplish our goals. My dad joked that the prize is probably nothing more than a pat on the back and a sticker with his factories logo, but still.. it seemed to me like a great opportunity.

So we started it, each keeping track of our own miles since we often log miles at different times. Still it remains very much a shared activity. Along the way I've increased my physical condition greatly-- reaching fitness goals I almost never dreamed of. In fact when I first started attempting to lose weight and get in shape 2 years ago I remember walking the park trail because I was too out of shape to do anything else, and I kept thinking I can't wait until the day that I'm no longer too encumbered and out of shape so that I can run around this whole track without stopping. Today I can very proudly say that I can successfully run that track in under 12 minutes. Along with shedding even more pounds I've also increased my endurance significantly which has very much aided my hockey playing abilities.

As for Dad, I'm pretty sure it's been somewhat a piece of cake. I'm honestly not sure exactly how he does it. He works 40+ hours a week laboring in a hot factory and he still finds time to log a sizable handful of miles each week (running most of them) When our schedules have allowed us to run together it has been a great experience. My dad makes me laugh every time with his quirks, such as the fact the he feels the need to say hello to every single person that we encounter on our course. If he sees someone walking a dog, he always says "watch out, it'll bite your leg off" whether the dog is a Poodle or a German Shepard, it gets some curious looks sometimes but my Dad doesn't care. He comes from an era where apparently everyone was always neighborly and friendly... perhaps society would be better if everyone were still like that.

I finally convinced my Dad to buy a new pair of running shoes, since his were old and worn and it didn't take a running expert to guess that they probably weren't good for his joints. It took some pestering on my part but he finally decided to do it and I'm extremely proud he did. Not just because he works so hard and doesn't see a ton of payoff, but simply because it was a full on acceptance that running had once again become a true hobby for him. He had regained something that he lost earlier in life and he didn't want it to slip away from him again.

I hope nothing changes, Together Dad and I have both decided collectively, but in different ways that some things in life are worth being passionate for. Even if it means starting over at 20+ or 60+ it is never too late to do what you love.

I hope I can share many more miles with him




Sam

A hockey love story; Why I love the game

There is something about Hockey, something fundamental about it, something that damn near runs in my blood it seems. It's like a true passion.. yet for many years it is a passion that I ignored.

When I was young... say between the ages of 6-11 I was in love with the sport of hockey. I still vividly remember sitting in my parents dining room (which was actually both a dining room and a fancy sitting room) watching NHL hockey on a small TV. I taped practically every game that was on TV and would re watch good matches over and over.

When my parents got ESPN2 the amount of hockey games I could watch almost doubled. I still remember my mom telling me about it and my excitement literally exploding. In the beginning there wasn't a certain team that I liked. I was torn between the Blackhawks or the Red Wings. The Blackhawks were the first obvious choice because most of my immediate family were from Chicago and die hard bulls. However it wasn't long before I fell in love with the Detroit Red Wings. I don't exactly know what it was.. but there was something almost magical in my young mind about the 90's Red Wings. So they became my team. I remembering reading the newspaper TV schedule every time it came out, eagerly hoping to see Detroit Vs ______.

At that age I lived and breathed hockey. I remembering begging me parents whenever possible to take me to our local pharmacy which rather ironically sold some of the coolest hockey trading cards so that I could persuade them to buy me a pack or two.

But of course as young kids do, you also play the sports you love with the unabashed enthusiasm that some day you too will be a star. I believed In my naive little mind that someday I would feel the lights of an NHL stadium beaming down at me while everyone cheered my name.

So I would practice everyday on the porch.. smacking a hockey ball into the brick wall so that it would come flying back at me and I could practice my "saves." Eventually I used the stairs as well but that resulted in a number of broken windows much to my parents intense displeasure.

Sadly though as time went on and I grew up, my interests changed and hockey was abandoned for the other pleasures and displeasure's of teenage life.

Last Spring though, everything I loved about the game came roaring back. The 09 NHL playoffs had began and had heard from a friend that it was going to be a wide open event, with several teams competing for a real chance at the cup.

One of those teams was the Chicago Blackhawks. They immediately drew my attention, because back when I followed hockey in my younger years the Hawks were never very good which as a little kid made them tough to root for. Yet now they had all the promise in the world. Their young stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were incredibly fun to watch and it didn't take long before I had jumped the bangwagon and began rooting for them.



Of course, changing allegiance to a team in sports is a big no no, because then you're a "bandwagon" fan. Honestly though I didn't care. After all, I hadn't followed hockey in years and the Red Wings were only my team as a kid because they won all the time and I was able to follow them on television with regularity. Now it just seemed different. The game had changed quite a bit, new rules (including a salary cap) and the Red Wings just didn't seem like my team anymore. Most of the players I loved as a kid had retired or gone to other teams as well. Plus the big bonus of the hawks is that all their games are televised (Most on CSN-CH which is a basic channel for most providers)

So here I'm, just about as addicted to hockey now as I was when I was 7 years old. So in honor of my newly reborn love for the sport I will present a list of 5 things that I love about hockey. On a side note the idea for this is stolen from Puck Daddy. http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy which often features a "5 Reasons so-and-so loves hockey.

5 Things I love about Hockey

1. Fighting- Hockey might just be the only sport that features fighting and Hitting (Checking)as a viable part of the game. Some people think that Hockey fights detract from the game itself but I tend to disagree. Fighting is often an important part of the game. Fighting is a way to protect players from dirty play as well as a possible way to swing momentum. And of course hockey fights are just fun to watch.

2. The Stanley Cup Playoffs- The quest for Lord Stanley's cup is one of the most epic sport battles. In my opinion the intensity of just about any Stanley Cup series is more interesting than any Superbowl. What I like the most about hockey playoffs is the fact that each series requires a team to win the best of 7 games. With that system the best team always wins because there is enough of a chance to prove it. Plus with each won series the intensity amps up.

3. Hockey Jerseys- Hockey Jerseys are simply the best sports uniform out there in my opinion. They all are brilliantly colored and feature bold and memorable logo's. Football, baseball, and basketball Jersey's all look plain compared to the old hockey sweater.

4. The Shootout- This was a recent addition to the game that (in my opinion) makes the regular season a lot more interesting. If the game reaches overtime they teams play 4v4 for 5mins, and if that fails to produce a goal the games goes to a shootout. Yeah it's kind of gimmicky but it's really fun to watch and gets rid of the problem of having "ties". Come on.. Nobody likes a tie.

5. Accessibility- I remember back when accessing scores and highlights meant tuning into sports center on ESPN hoping for a glimpse at a goal or a highlight. Now with the advent the internet, everything one could want to know is available at the click of a mouse. In fact fans can even watch live games online for the same price as a subscription to NHL Center Ice. (which is fantastic if you can afford it) Plus with twitter and facebook it's so easy to connect with other fans in real time. I love having a twitter stream going during a game. It's really fun to see everyone talking about a game in real time. Plus watching hockey is easier than ever as most cable or satellite packages feature at least one regional sports network such as "Comcast Sports Net" or "Fox Sports Net" that broadcasts a significant number of hockey games.