What an incredible snowfall last night. I snapped these pictures on my trek to work today.
Just from walking into the station
Just from walking into the station
Looking down 3rd Ave.
_________________________________________________________________Moving on now to the mutual respect that has obviously built from the visiting players to the hockey fans at the Pound. I say HOCKEY FANS because it's obvious that those attending the Bulldogs games at the Pound are HOCKEY FANS first, and BULLDOGS FANS second. For the most part at least. I'm sure there are some that come just because it's the Bulldogs and HATE the opposition and let them have it all night. They are in the big time minority though.
Sure, if you are a visiting player and you cheap shot someone or disrespect the game or disrespect the fans they won't like you and they will let you know about it.
I say "the mutual respect that has obviously built" just going on the number of visiting players that stick around at the end of the game and come out on the ice to salute and thank the fans when they are announced as a star.
Why does this happen? My theory- while it is a pretty big league, the GAME is very small. Word spreads fast among the players. Good and bad. It spreads just as fast or even faster through coaches and GM's. So I'm guessing that one guy said to another guy "how about the fans in Alberni, they even cheer the OTHER TEAM for the three stars" And the trickle effect started. More and more guys started coming out for their stars, and now it's more guys than ever. And it's really nice to see the "mutual respect" thing back to the beginning of this all. The fans respect the players and appreciate their efforts in entertaining them and playing in the league and being awarded a game star. The best thing about the fans applauding the players is that there is no limit to what the fans will do. Meaning- they don't care if it's a player from the most hated rival of the Dogs, ie- The Nanaimo Clippers- they will still give the player a cheer.
Please don't misconstrue this as a shot to other teams and their fans. It isn't. As far as I know and as far as I've seen every building is the same- boo the other guys, cheer our guys. And there's nothing wrong with that really. It's just the mentality of the game and the atmoshpere in most rinks.
The Pound is not most rinks. And the players from OTHER TEAMS are proving it.
So please, post this on the good ole message board (I'd hazard a guess that 99.9% of all BCHL players read it) to get the word out to any visitors that don't already know- If you get awarded a game star in Alberni, hang around and come out. The crowd here will give you a cheer. No kidding.
Hammer
5 comments:
Excellent post Hammer... very well said! But - I'm wondering why the Dogs don't come out in other arenas for the 3 star selection??
Things that make you go hmmm...
Yes, this is an excellent post. Just what our thoughts have been at the last few games. It is so respectful when the visiting teams players come skating out to accept the applause we are giving them. It just feels "respectful" all around. A good game played is a good game played. No matter who won.
Superstar makes a good point but I wonder if the Bulldogs players did that, would they be well received? Is this a practise found at other leagues around the rink?
Fans generally applaud all the 3 stars in most arenas.
To superstar fan- I think anonymous #1 answered your question the same way I would. I think that the Bulldog players don't do it for the same reason most players in most rinks in the league don't do it- they aren't sure how they will be received.
Anonymous #2- Maybe you are right, fans generally applaud the 3 stars in most arenas. Maybe they (the fans) just applaud louder in Port Alberni, and that's why the opposition players come out.
Thanks for the posts both ways. I appreciate it when you guys and gals make a discussion out of it like this!
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