Why High School Hockey is so Awesome

High school hockey is one of the most exciting sporting events to witness. Here are my top 10 reasons why high school hockey is better than pro hockey.

10. Venues

It doesn't take hours to get to the rinks (most of the time) and you won't get stick in traffic trying to get into the parking lot. They are local venues that most people are familiar with and know their way around. There aren't four gates and dozens of sections to maneuver around, but just a door and a rink.

9. Times

Whenever I go to a pro hockey game, I have to leave at about 4:30 to get to the city and I arrive home at about 11:30. All that time is for a two and a half hour game. High school games are usually at good times and only take about two hours to play. If the game is at 7:30 I can leave at 7:15 and be back by 10. Less than three hours as opposed to seven sounds good to me.

8. Parents

You gotta love how into these games the parents get. For most, it's about their kid and that's it. Oh, and when their kid gets hit, there should be a penalty. Plus, when their kid gets a penalty, the ref should get his license revoked. The classless parents also give me a chuckle sometimes, especially when they yell at opposing players going into the box.

7. Rules

After the lockout, the NHL changed the rules to make it more offensive minded. They called all the little obstruction penalties like hooking and holding. At first, high school refs would call these penalties because they were ordered to. Now, they have eased up a lot and let the kids play for the most part.

6. People

Everyone at the rinks is friendly. From the ticket collectors to the rink managers, everyone is laid back and wants you to have a good time at a respectable level. They are all very friendly and good people that you can enjoy a game with.

5. Price

This one is self explanatory. Why would I pay $70 for a nosebleed seat at a pro game when I can get the best seating in the arena for a couple bucks or even for free sometimes? Save a couple bucks and watch a high school game instead of shoveling out three figures for a pro game.

4. Atmosphere

Everyone at these games gets into it. When the place is packed and you can't hear yourself think, you know you're in a great atmosphere. The student fans stand the whole game and the parents constantly scream things at refs, coaches, and opposing fans. Since the rinks are small, the place can get so loud and the fans so into it, so it is the perfect environment for a sporting event.

3. Students

When you go to a pro sporting event, the majority of the fans support one team. However, high school student fans are usually even on both sides. They sit on opposite sides of the rink and battle it out all night. They try to be louder and more creative with their cheers at the same time. They will also try and get inside the heads of opposing players, although some schools don't allow it. The reason it gets so intense is because the fans are friends with the players and have personal connections with them. They want to see their friends do well and they always represent their school with pride.

2. Excitement

The following should sum it up for you pretty well. Last year in the New Jersey High School Hockey Public State Tournament semi-finals, Randolph was dead locked at one with rival Morris Knolls. In overtime at Continental Airlines Arena, the former home of the New Jersey Devils, a Randolph forward deked through three defenseman and backhanded one over the goalies shoulder to win it. In the finals, Randolph was down two with three minutes to go. The same forward cut the deficit to one, and with 17 seconds left lightning struck. A Randolph defenseman roofed a wrist shot from the point to tie it up and send it to overtime. In overtime, an opposing player cross checked a Randolph forward in front of the net, putting the latter on a power play. With two seconds left on the power play, a Randolph winger tipped in a shot from the point to win the game. The fans were insane, and all 2,000+ seats were filled and way beyond. Randolph also won the state title the previous year when they defeated Montgomery in overtime. So you should get a pretty good taste of the excitement of high school hockey is all about, but if not here you go to the State Finals.

1. Passion

When NHL players come over from Europe, they don't understand a Rangers-Islanders rivalry. The fans are more into it than the players are. However, in high school hockey players play with a passion the game was designed to be played with. These players followed their high school teams when they were in the town recreation programs. They care so much about their school and their pride that they will to anything to win. They know the rivalries, they know the opposing players, and they know what it takes to represent themselves, their school, and their teammates with pride.