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Most spectators in the south, and the rest of the US for that matter, seem more interested in beer,pizza and waving to the tv cameras.
The arenas isn't even half filled when the game starts because they are standing in a food and many leave well before the game ends.
Is that what you call hockey culture?
I am sure any major city can fill a 5000 seat arena with hockey fans, but they can never fill one with 20000 hockey fans.
Most spectators in the south, and the rest of the US for that matter, seem more interested in beer,pizza and waving to the tv cameras.
The arenas isn't even half filled when the game starts because they are standing in a food and many leave well before the game ends.
Is that what you call hockey culture?
I am sure any major city can fill a 5000 seat arena with hockey fans, but they can never fill one with 20000 hockey fans.
The same can be said about all major league sports.
Minnesota is also home to 5 D1 Hockey teams - University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State University, Bemidji State University... not to mention University of North Dakota on the border. All of these teams are in the best and hardest colllege hockey conference - WCHA.
I'd like to point out that Michigan has SEVEN D1 Hockey teams.
WCHA:
Michigan Tech
CCHA:
Michigan
Michigan State
Western Michigan
Northern Michigan
Lake Superior State
Ferris State
That's all. Not saying we're a better hockey state. Just saying that you can't use "5 D1 hockey teams" as a bragging point anymore.
I'll concede that MN has a slight advantage as a state, but this whole discussion is suppose to be about the best hockey city, which I still believe to be Detroit. I don't buy the argument that the city needs the Wings, but the Wings don't need Detroit. Go up to Yzerman, Ozzie, or McCarty and get their opinions on that matter.
Plus, the press and out-pouring of support after Probert's recent passing was crazy. What other "hockey town" would have given a guy, who put up more penalty minutes than points, that type of goodbye? Maybe your right, maybe they should change the slogan to Hockeycity rather than Hockeytown, but either way, Detroit is America's Hockey Capital!
Let me make another analogy. Saying hockey doesn't belong in the South is like saying golf doesn't belong in the North. Florida and Arizona have a lot of golf courses open year round. But even though golf courses close in the winter up North, that doesn't stop my brother and dad (in Massachusetts) from being passionate golfers. The best golfers will probably be found in Florida and Arizona where they can golf year round, just like the best hockey players will be found in Minnesota. But you can find both sports in the North and the Sunbelt.
Now replace "not being able to play golf in the winter" with "not being able to play hockey on a frozen pond" and it's the same concept.
The problem is you can play golf outside for six-eight months out of the year in the north while you can't play hockey at all outside in the south. Sorry but that was a poor analogy.
Sure some Southern towns can fill up an NHL arena but that doesn't mean they're a hockey town. For all you people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Georgia or wherever else, think how big football is. The stress and expectations that many southern towns put on their local high school football team is insane. That's what hockey is like up here in Minnesota. Sure the Red Wings are popular but hockey at the youth level is still behind football in Michigan just as Wolverine football is more popular than Wolverine hockey. I would say Gopher hockey>Gopher football.
Last edited by IAmNotFat; 07-16-2010 at 09:49 AM..
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