For the Fun of the Game

[blender]

Just wanted to throw this out there for your consideration.
Our small family has had a recent new addition as our 18-year-old nephew has come to live with us since late August. There is a long story behind the move that I won't bother telling here, but suffice to say he was having troubles at home and he is with us to finish high school and get a reset on life.

He's from Winnipeg, so he's a Jets fan, but he has always liked the Flames and arrived sporting a tattered Flames cap I had given him years ago. Between the Flames and the Jets him and I have made a point of watching as many games as possible, and I can honestly say I am enjoying hockey more than I have in years.

Watching with him has made me realize the reason I loved hockey so much growing up was the thrill of the games themselves. Sure, I always want the Flames to win, but it really is about the experience, and watching this season I am forgetting about the salary cap, advanced stats, top six, bottom six, bad officiating, etc. It's about the speed and skill and physicality, the rushes of Johnny Hockey, Bennett ringing one off the crossbar in a tied game, Jagr in a Flames jersey, young players on the Jets that I never appreciated cause I hadn't watched them enough.

I guess all I'm saying is that perspective is important and looking at hockey (and life) through a new lens has brought me a lot of joy.

I'm going to try and keep it that way the rest of this season and keep having fun with it; why else would I watch, right?

Go Flames (and Jets), GO!

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

I watch with my 17 year old son (well he watches some of the game lol) , and I enjoy it immensely. It has become "our" time together.

Over the last 2 years watching with him has been a godsend to both of us. A bonding ,and talking time

Even had a "Down by 2 going into the third , got them right were we want them" fist bump and chuckle from the Hartley era.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Great posts

Ive kept my tickets a few years past when I really had passion for games just to get to this stage. My boys are finally old enough to go to a couple games a month instead of a year.

It’s awesome. Win or lose we have something shared and to talk about. And talk more in the time around the game about non hockey stuff.

They may tire of it. Who knows. If they are still into going to games with their old man by 17 or 18 I’ll be pretty happy.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Bend it like Bourgeois

Great posts

Ive kept my tickets a few years past when I really had passion for games just to get to this stage. My boys are finally old enough to go to a couple games a month instead of a year.

It’s awesome. Win or lose we have something shared and to talk about. And talk more in the time around the game about non hockey stuff.

They may tire of it. Who knows. If they are still into going to games with their old man by 17 or 18 I’ll be pretty happy.

I sure hope they do. I'm 23 and I still love going to games with my dad. I've found it gets even better as I get older, I hope you have the same experience.

[tvp2003]

Thanks for sharing OP. Great story.

Being a fan doesn't have to involve critiquing every single decision and analyzing every little nuance of the game. While I enjoy the discussion (especially from some of the more knowledgeable users on CP), there's a lot to be said for just enjoying the sport for the reasons why you started liking it in the first place. And if it brings happiness to you and those around you, then even better.

[Locke]

My kids never really watched sports growing up, but sports are a big part of my life and I like the fact that since I watch they'll sit and watch with me.

[blender]

Bumping this thread to say that I am not going to waste this Flames season being down about the team.

Most of the stuff that is being talked about here lately is true and I am closer than ever to "something is off and we need a reset" camp than ever, yet I refuse to participate until at least the trade deadline. For now its Go Flames Go! for me.

The nephew is 22 now, still with us, hates the oil almost as much as Textcritic; ready for tonight. Team is struggling a bit. But they have some talent, all-world goaltending and it is very early yet. I'm going to enjoy it.

[blender]

Well, that was fun for sure. Had a few low moments in the first, but was great to see Backlund do his thing against McDavid, great to see the Oilers goaltending is as advertised, lol, great to see the HNIC panel reinventing the hockey rulebook to adjust for McDavid's impact on the game. Really, would we expect anything less?

Hopefully this is the start of a beautiful 10-0 run against those schmucks.