And So, It Began

The Scotty Hockey Eurotrip 2011 got underway yesterday. It would be easy to rant about the horrors of travel but let me just put it this way: left my house at 12:45 Monday, got into my hotel room around 2:30 Tuesday. Even with the time change, that is atrocious.

The one good thing is the sunrise over Spain that I was able to witness (the shot above doesn't do it justice). Luckily the start of Tuesday and the end to it was both fantastic.

During the planning stages of the excursion many minutes were spent combing international sports schedules to maximize this trip. And yet still, I missed something so obvious as a hockey game in Prague the night of my arrival. By sheer dumb lucky I stumbled around the interweb and found that there was a match at the odd start time of 6:15 tonight. Slavia Praha, the Prague-based Extraliga team that the Rangers aren't facing Thursday, was at home at the O2 Arena to face HC Verva Litvinova. The O2 was where the Blueshirts took on the Bolts two years ago and it really is a nice facility.

So, of course, I rushed out of my room to head to the game. And what a good move it was. The match was a real wild one, wild one. Given that I haven't really slept in more than 32 hours, I will just throw some random thoughts out there:

*The cheapest seats in the house were behind the away net, in the fan section where they sang and clapped all game long. Could you imagine that being the case in the Garden?

*The beautiful, relatively new arena holds just over 17,000 and yet there was less than 4,000 in attendance. Felt like a non-Rangers Devils game.

*Slavia's sweaters are jersey fouls - the front is a frankenjersey, half white and half red.

*Rosi Ruzicka is their head coach, he is a hero to the fans and he is a slob. The guy took the bench looking like he left a wine bar at 4am.

*Speaking of fashion, I wish I had a good picture of Slavans mascot because it is horrifying. The ice girls, however, make up for it by wearing even less than the tainted ladies employed by the Islanders.

*The one and likely only player you would recognize on either team's roster was Litvinova's Marty Rucinsky. Yes, Marty Rucinsky - the two-time Ranger - is still in action. He has still has the ice sight and some hands but the rest of the game has clearly suffered with age. Marty is slower than ever, he tries to do too much by himself every shift, and he was foolish enough to take a late penalty that set up the game-tying power play goal with seven and a half minutes later. His teammates were able to bail him out by regaining the advantage less than a minute later on a laser of a shot but the days of Marty being a star are sadly gone. He had his good moments with the Rangers.

*The only other name I recognized was Petr Kalus, a former Minnesota Wild prospect. Kalus ended up in an exciting brawl with five seconds left. A couple of guys started shoving after the whistle and that turned into a pair of great fights - one while the gladiators were both wrapped up by linesmen but still landing huge punches. I hope that ends up on Youtube.

*All fans had to go through metal detectors to get in - not just that half-assed wave-around the Garden gives to a few random people, but legitimate metal detectors. I asked the guard about it and he said the Prague fans are usually good but the ones from Greece have caused trouble in the past. Greek hockey fans? What? Maybe something was lost in translation. (Just a note, not every Czech speaks English despite what your friends say.)

*Having the fans singing, banging drums and clapping all game is really a neat experience but it was too bad I had no idea what they were saying and that they had to be led by some dude with a bullhorn and his back to the game.

*After it was over the teams saluted each other, then shook hands, then turned around and saluted their respective fans. I can't imagine that happening in North America - the away team wins, then slides across the ice in unison to mug for their fans. Someone would get hurt.

I'm sure there was more but the Rangers have an open practice in the morning (and, of course, are charging admission) so I will be on my way. Y'all take care of things on your side of the pond!

 And So, It Began: A Journey Through the Origins of Ice Hockey

The sport of ice hockey, with its lightning-fast pace and bone-crushing hits, is a thrilling spectacle that captivates fans around the world. But have you ever wondered how this beloved sport came into existence? In this article, we embark on a journey through time to explore the fascinating origins of ice hockey. From frozen ponds to modern arenas, we'll unravel the story of how this exhilarating game was born.

Table of Contents

The Icy Playground: Early Beginnings of Skating and Stick Games

Historical Origins of Ice Skating

Emergence of Stick-and-Ball Games on Ice

Canada's Claim to Fame: The Birth of Ice Hockey

Nova Scotia: The Cradle of Ice Hockey

Early Forms of the Game

Hockey Spreads Its Wings: From Canada to the World

Early International Matches

The Formation of Organized Leagues

The Evolution of Equipment and Rules

The Transition from Outdoor to Indoor Rinks

The Introduction of the Forward Pass

FAQs: Common Questions About Ice Hockey's Origins

1. The Icy Playground: Early Beginnings of Skating and Stick Games

Historical Origins of Ice Skating

The roots of ice hockey can be traced back to the practice of ice skating itself. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and the Scandinavians, were known to use rudimentary ice skates made from bones and wood. However, these early skates bear little resemblance to the sleek blades we use today.

Emergence of Stick-and-Ball Games on Ice

The idea of using sticks to manipulate an object on ice likely evolved from the many stick-and-ball games played on various surfaces. The combination of skating and stickhandling created the foundation for what would become ice hockey.

2. Canada's Claim to Fame: The Birth of Ice Hockey

Nova Scotia: The Cradle of Ice Hockey

The province of Nova Scotia in Canada is often credited with being the birthplace of ice hockey. The sport began to take shape in the late 19th century, with young enthusiasts in Halifax, Nova Scotia, adapting elements of field hockey and lacrosse to create a unique game played on ice.

Early Forms of the Game

Early versions of ice hockey featured a variety of rules and equipment. Players often used frozen cow dung as pucks, and the game was played with nine players on each side. The sport's name, "hockey," is believed to have been derived from the French word "hoquet," meaning a shepherd's crook.

3. Hockey Spreads Its Wings: From Canada to the World

Early International Matches

As the sport gained popularity in Canada, it didn't take long for it to catch the attention of the rest of the world. In the late 19th century, matches between Canadian teams and American or European clubs became common, contributing to the global dissemination of ice hockey.

The Formation of Organized Leagues

The early 20th century saw the establishment of organized leagues, such as the National Hockey Association (NHA) and the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA). These leagues laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the National Hockey League (NHL), the premier professional hockey league in North America.

4. The Evolution of Equipment and Rules

The Transition from Outdoor to Indoor Rinks

In the early days of ice hockey, games were often played on frozen ponds and rivers. However, the sport's evolution led to the construction of indoor rinks, providing a more controlled environment and extending the playing season.

The Introduction of the Forward Pass

One of the most significant rule changes in the history of ice hockey was the introduction of the forward pass. Previously, only lateral or backward passes were allowed. The adoption of the forward pass in the early 20th century revolutionized the game, making it faster and more dynamic.

5. FAQs: Common Questions About Ice Hockey's Origins

Q1: Who is credited with inventing ice hockey?

A1: While the precise inventor of ice hockey remains a subject of debate, the sport's modern form developed in Nova Scotia, Canada, in the late 19th century.

Q2: When was the first indoor ice rink built?

A2: The world's first artificial ice rink, known as the Glaciarium, was built in London in 1876. Indoor rinks became integral to the development of ice hockey.

Q3: When was the NHL founded?

A3: The National Hockey League (NHL) was founded on November 26, 1917, in Montreal, Canada. It initially consisted of four teams.

The journey through the origins of ice hockey is a testament to the sport's rich history and enduring appeal. From its humble beginnings on frozen ponds to the global phenomenon we know today, ice hockey has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. It serves as a reminder of the power of human innovation and creativity, as well as the enduring joy of skating and stickhandling on ice.