Authored By Sean Phipps

The tension

When you think about it, a hockey game is basically ridiculous. It’s played on ice. Fighting is often encouraged. Just the fact that someone is a goaltender means they are slightly off in the head. Watching a hockey game is a lot like observing large toddlers with weapons on a giant ice field. It’s fascinating, and I can’t think of a sport I enjoy more. One of the immediate draws of the game-for me, at least-is the noticeable feeling of tension throughout the game. Every player is seemingly on the verge of snapping. The coaches are more high-strung than the players. Hockey is a game where anything can happen and often does. It’s as much an exercise in psychology as it is a sport, ridiculous and beautifully messed up.

The people

I’ve traveled to many arenas around the country-both professional and semi-professional-and the one common theme is that hockey fans are incredible. Every sport has wonderful fans, but are the fans generous, enthusiastic and also on the verge of mental collapse? When we first started attending hockey games in Knoxville, I decided we needed to be as close to the action as possible. Our seats were on the glass, just to the right of the goaltender in what is known as section A2. The people around us are our “hockey family,” including three sisters and their friend; FedEx Robin; and Angry Toby and his 6-year-old son, Cameron. These people are all quirky, and I can’t wait to spend time with them this season. The secret is that you can find these people in hockey arenas around the country.

The first goal

It can happen moments after the drop of the puck or during the last seconds of overtime, but when the home team scores the first goal, something magic happens. A blinking red light and airhorn are our signals as fans to go completely insane for a minute. Our entire section pounds on the glass until they play the “We’re gonna beat the hell outta YOU, YOU, YOU …” song on the PA system. Everything calms down after the first goal. We go crazy for subsequent goals, but not to the extent of that first one. The pendulum of emotions can go back and forth all game as the momentum shifts from team to team. Ultimately, a win is what matters, but most hockey fans will take a defeat so long as their team played hard every shift and gave it the best they could.

The fights

The only thing I love more than a good goal is a good fight. Luckily, the SPHL (as well as other leagues) still allow fighting as a tool. This isn’t barbaric and is as civil as a bare-knuckled fistfight can be. There are generally two types of fights that break out at hockey games. The first is an agreed-upon scrap between two hockey players. This example shows how fights can begin: Two players agree to fight when the puck drops, just drop the gloves and fight. It’s not uncommon to see the combatants congratulate each other after the fight. Again, this type of fight has nothing to do with aggression and everything to do with charging up the atmosphere in the arena. The second type of fight involves players standing up for each other after a huge hit or because a player gets too close to a goalie. These fights are more impromptu, reactive and potentially dangerous. Often, these fights can get out of control quickly, making the game more about fighting than winning.

The sounds

When you close your eyes at a hockey game, the first thing you hear are the skates on the ice. They make a sharp, swooshing sound that reminds me of fall and the sport I love. Another thing you hear is just the sound of thousands of people talking. I don’t know what it is, but this inaudible hum of crowd noise is one of the most soothing sounds in the world. Even with your eyes closed, you can get a sense of what’s going on just by the crowd reaction. The clack of the puck and bodies slamming into the glass and boards is all beautiful music. The best sound involves the comments from the crowd. This is a video I took from our seats. Here’s another. If anybody wants to come to a game, I’d be more than happy to ease them into the world. Hockey is gaining popularity in the South. Join the fun.