True Diehard Fans!

While this season has been another disappointment for Panther fans, it's been one of the best seasons for me. Thanks to the Panthers' official message board, I've met some amazing people who have proven themselves diehard fans. In an area where people only show up for wins, and yes fans deserve to pay for a product that produces, it's great to see people who love this team and love this game. They all show up game in and game out and have really started to take ownership of the Bank Atlantic Center again. Used be that whenever a New York or Canadian team was in the arena, their fans would pack the arena and drown out our chants and encouragements. After the Montreal game earlier this year, these guys did what they could to put an end to this. Thanks to the wave coming back, a ton of cowbells, and a lot of horns they showed a little Panthers pride and took back their arena.

Thanks guys, hopefully the team will respond and we'll be in the playoffs next season!

PS, this blog won't be all about the Panthers, I'm just a fan and wanted to pat this year's fans on their backs!

Too Many Skates to the Face!

Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins was hit in the face with a skate on Sunday during the game against the Rangers. We all know what happened with Zednik earlier this season when his Florida Panther teammate accidentally had his skate fall into his neck, cutting his carotid artery. There have been a few other instances of skates to the face since Zednik was injured as well.

While Malkin's injury wasn't anywhere close to being as serious as Zednik's, it goes to show how dangerous this sport can be. Hockey is a violent sport filled with guys who have earned the reputation as being some of the toughest in sports.

Only one other player in the NHL's history has taken a skate to the neck, that was Clint Malarchuk. Clint was in goal for the Buffalo Sabres when the play came at him. After making the save, he was shoved around by the opposing player and was cut by the skate. Here's a clip of it, if you have the stomach for the blood: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_CI7c-rxFMU. He was back in goal two weeks after the accident. That's one tough hockey player.

Some players wear turtle necks to avoid such an incident, but there's obviously no guarentee with a bunch of cloth. I did see that there is a shirt that they will be able to wear that has a Kevlar turtle neck to help protect their necks. These could end up becoming a permanant part of the players' equipment.

Why Enforcers Are Needed in Hockey

Enforcers provide more than just a good fight on the ice. I take offense when people say they went to fight and a hockey game broke out. Fights in hockey aren't just entertainment, there's more to it than that.

1. Enforcers protect the other players on the ice, allowing them to play their game. When you see a team before they have an enforcer compared to when they pick one up, you see a different team. Carolina, Detroit, and Florida are all examples of this. While Carolina and Detroit were good, if not great, teams before their respective enforcers joined the team, the players opened up their play because they knew there was someone watching their back. Players play a little taller when they have a heavweight watching out for them.

2. Enforcers provide energy.
Whether it's by a big hit or great fight, enforcers can provide energy for their teammates and the fans. There are 3 things that bring fans out of their seats and start them cheering wildly: a goal (especially one that looked impossible), a monstrous hit, or a fight. Fans cheering so wildly pumps up the team.

3. If an enforcer can get a star player to drop the gloves, he's got that star player sitting in the box for 5 minutes, meaning he's not on the ice. Which would you rather have sitting for 5 minutes, the LeCavalier and Iginla's, or the Boogaard and Hordichuk's? They aren't able to get the stars to drop their gloves often, but it has happened.


4. Enforcers are usually the nicest guys off the ice and are fan favorites. Paul Laus was one of the easiest guys to talk to and enjoyed talking about things such as hockey, Disney, and family. Wade Belak has some of the best interviews out there. Class acts.

Welcome to my blog

We'll talk about everything hockey here at the Hockey Ape blog. We'll view funny videos, discuss some of the more controversial topics in the game, and look at the different teams and players throughout the NHL. Come check out my thoughts, should be fun!