For those who don't have an interest in the game, some of the following may not make sense, but bear with me...if you want.
Anyway, the German game is a little different to the American style of hockey. To start with, the ice is wider than the NHL ice, and this creates more room for the players to move, and the potential for a more flowing style of hockey. Downside is there are less big hits. There also seems to be a distinct lack of fighting in the German game, where as it is an expected part of the NHL game, and is in fact regulated in the rule book. The crowds here also get very worked up every time there is a big hit, and start abusing the ref for not calling a penalty, when the hit is, in my mind, nothing more than a big hit. Oh well.
As for the arena - it is about the same size as "The Whit" at the University of New Hampshire, seating around 6,000 people, with some sections that are "standing room". Good side to this is that you are nice and close to the ice - we were 4 rows from the front, behind the opposition's net.
As for the game, it was pretty good, with Frankfurt winning 2:1 in the final minutes of the 3rd period.
A few points:
- Skating skills are pretty good
- Frankfurt's passing, offense, and defense was appauling
- Frankfurt's penalty killing was pretty damn good, shutting down a number of 3-on-5 power-play opportunities
- The atmosphere in the arena is pretty good, as the fan clubs bring in drums and the likes, so there is a lot of noise to encourage the teams
- If you thought that chanting was limited to soccer, then you are wrong
- Frankfurt needs to decide if they are the Lions or Löwen. The team is the Lions, but the crowd cheers for the Löwen...maybe confusing the players, and hence some bad passing
Tschüß,
'Brush
Posts
4 comments:
I got 3 kicks and a toe-poke.
I find it awkward that their defense sucks, but their PK was awesome. Mind-boggling!
The DEL (Deutsche Eishockey Liga?) is definitely not a premiere league - Russia, Finland and Sweden have more prestigeous leagues. However, I've been told that the DEL has a lot of heart and a very balanced comp.
I look forward to more game reports!
Gogogo Krefeld Pinguine!
Yeah, well the PK was the only part of their D that was any good, and that was mainly due to the goalie - the rest of the team was like a sieve.
PS: Lions are above the Pinguine in the table.
Oh, and what was super cool, was the celebration of the goal scorer for Frankfurt - dude did a big belly slide down the ice! :)
Kudos for the post!
Post a Comment