pmcallis wrote:Jem, When you refer to "real" hockey, surely you refer to a lesser form of hockey called "field" hockey? David plays the real thing. P.
Ha!
Seriously, I carry no torch for any form of the game, though I think the historical primacy of ordinary hockey with a ball is unarguable? FWIW, I think the most attractive form of the game I've seen is the indoor variety with a ball - faster, more continuous more skilful and more exciting than outdoor field hockey, but without all the silly and gratuitous violent barging etc. which mars ice hockey as a spectator sport (at least if one wants to see the basic premise of the game pursued rather than the violence!). Mind, it'd be even better if they changed the sticks and the rules so they could use both sides like in ice hockey.
(Just to upset traditionalists/purists......)
(See, I knew this thread was about important stuff - hockey - really......)
I suppose that of the 4 classic N American sports, Ice Hockey is probably the next most interesting/entertaining after Gridiron (which at least has a properly shaped ball, even if they take far too long deciding what to do with it....) - 'cos baseball and basketball are utterly tedious (and no, I don't like cricket or silly-fussball).
...but then the smell from your gear might somehow transfer to the cocus wood 
...So, I've decided you did the best you could under stressful circumstances 
