"Never say, a skijumper doesnt HAVE a brain before you havent talked to an ice-hockey player!" (Kata, Lahti 2005)

We actually didnt talk to them, but visited their factfiles!!!
But ok....lets start at the beginning.

ICEHOCKEY...!!!???Hmmmmm....!!!???

Having actually not really the idea of that sport, we went to watch the Reading Royals. Being in the stadium, we went to buy a hot dog and sat on our places, people dressed in purple trikots all around us. A really fat, but nice typical American and big icehokey-fan sat next to me. Without asking him for, he explained the whole game to me....nice.

Next to Joana sat a couple (about 35years old) together with their just adopted little Guantemalian boy. (to cute to be true!!)

Everybody in our block knew each other and we had the feeling of being in a big family. They showed family-pictures while the break and.... of course, they bought food for each other..... so cute!

So... Joana already decided bevor the game, that her favorite player is Brock Hooton, a 25 years old guy, who loves burning CDs.(see: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/athletics/sports/hockey-mens/hooton.asp --> personals).......but..... why not??? (Kata...here we go...)
I was a little unsure, whom I like the most,...... at the entrance we got a little Icehockey-player as "welcome-presents", very nice,...it was Matt Herneisen (Nr. 21), because, my favorite number ist 21 and he is the figure I got, I at first decided,...he will be my favorite..... sitting on our places, I saw the picture, of (Nr. 8) Ned Lukacevic, who looks like Morgi and I decided to like him more :D,...actually i am still not sure about my favorite one. And I think, it doesnt matter!:P
The game started,.... we were impressed how fast they played. The game was full of hip- and body-checks! We soon realized, that sport is real sport and no ballet, as soccer is.
In the first 10 Minutes happened something I was kind of shocked. One player started to tease the other one, that one bulled of the others helmet and his own gloves and then, they started to fight and none of the referees went between them. The fans stood up, clapped their hands, shouted encouragement and enjoyed the "show". After about 30-40sec. the referees went between them and took them into the penalty box, where they had to sit 2 minutes, till they could start playing again....unbelievable, if you compare this to soccer.....
It was also very interesting, listening to the shouts of the fans (fishy, fishy, fishy--> the name of the referee was the most said frase), who also tried to persuade the keeper from the other team (Cincinnati Cyclones) to change the teams and play for Reading in the next season..... have you ever seen something like this at soccer???

So pitty, but the next game (the first playoff) will be at saturday, that day I will be on my way back home...:( Pitty, pitty, pitty!!

It was a very nice experience for both of us!! And we liked it very much!!