Jeff Marek of Sportsnet is always going on about how sports are never better than when you’re 12. And I agree.
That said, Hockey (at least for me) was never better than in 2012, when I was absolutely not 12 years old.
The Capitals went into Boston with their third string goalie and won with an OT G7 goal. We had that insane Philly v Pittsburgh series that had everything from line brawls to blow outs and even Phoenix went on a run and knocked off the Hawks and Predators, it was so much fun.
So, when did Hockey peak for you?
Sharks Presidents trophy season. We lost in the first round cause Sharks, but we seemed to never lose at home that season.
Ahhh yes. Caps West. Nothing like winning the Presidents Trophy and then falling early.
05-07 Sabres. Its all been downhill since :(
It’s crazy to me that two guys from those teams are now GMs (three, I think, if you include Grier). Absolutely fucking insane…
That Pens Flyers series was peak frustration for me as a Pens fan. Maybe it would have been more fun to watch if I didn’t have big expectations for that team.
I was a neutral in that fight… although as a Capitals fan I did take a fair bit of pleasure in watching two of my most hated teams spend two weeks tearing each other apart.
I don’t remember the hockey being all that good, it was just an absolute spectacle of drama and anger and pettiness.
Iirc Claude Giroux knocked Crosby’s glove away after an altercation and it resulted in another fight, a game misconduct to someone and the rest of that game was an absolute shit-show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMBx4qY2Rsg
I remember this play and the entire series very well. It was the most exciting playoff series in the last decade+. However, it was Crosby knocking away Voracek’s glove.
Better that than knocking off someone’s finger…oh wait.
Lol I remember that too. Hello, fellow anime/hockey fan.
There are dozens of us! Btw, here’s hoping Noda Satoru’s Dogsred gets an anime. I’d be thrilled. Question is…who’s your team?
Yes, it would be great if some production committee took a swing on making a traditional sports shounen. As long as it isn’t some bottom budget afterthought it could be legitimately good.
As for my team, I’m a Flyers fan. How about yourself?
Rangers fan, albeit very much displaced from NYC. Question, though…would I make it out alive if I went to a game at Wells Fargo next season? That’s one of the cities I’ve yet to visit for a game (or any other reason, really).
Nhl 95 for the Sega was awesome. From there until the early 2000s. Also the red wings were basically the best team there was in that stretch, which helps. The 04-05 lockout really killed hockey.
I’d argue NHPLA '93 was the peak of hockey video games, but otherwise on point.
the 1980 olympics.
When bob cole and harry neale were calling games
Bob cole is the GOAT
I only really followed it slightly during Getzlaf & Perry’s time at the Ducks. I think it was around 2009.
Oilers cup run – was absolutely glued to the 1990 series after they beat my Jets in the first round. Was much younger than 12.
Growing up outside of the Twin Cities it would be the 1991 Stanley Cup finals. Everyone had North Star fever, even those in rural Wisconsin who hated the Twins & The Vikings. Hockey hit an all time low when only two years later #FuckNormGreen moved the North Stars south.