My nan used to tell me stories that she heard from old iconic players, including Sven Tumba (who pretty much brought golf to sweden). Saw Tumba on TV just the other day. And another old famous player, who's name eludes me right now.

I watched a lot of hockey on TV as a kid. Nan loved to watch US v Russia or Canada v Russia simply because of the fights on the ice. I hated every minute of it but back then with 2 channels and being the minor in the family with no choice, I had to endure it.

Then I go to an NHL game when I'm in my 40s and I'm hooked. I prefer NHL to the Swedish "Elitserien" as the players are better, the game is faster and there is more action on ice.

Straalman, heralding from not too far from where I am, should have stayed in Marlies a little longer, IMHO. He is too quick to pull his gloves off and throw punches. I think he spent more time in the penalty box than on ice in his first games with Leafs.

Ok, I really need to go pull in the horses and give them their feed.

My brother and husband to mention two people. They play hockey all year round, wherever they can find ice time.....and there is no lack of guys wanting to play

Oh I will be watching. Womens hockey has NEVER interested me the slightest. Even less then mens. But I will most definitely watch anything I can find that is of international quality.

I really need to get this household the sports channel package on the dish. They like their boxing which is normally on the movie channels as PPV. ARGH!

Seriously, the women are better players then the men generally speaking, less fighting and more quality hockey. But in any case, I love watching the games.

Oh I know people do that but to me it just suggests a lack of imagination.

Oh, I beg to differ, one thing my husband doesnt lack (especially in bed) is a lack of imagination.......

I did read about a girl who nagged to get on a summer training camp in Florida that was all guys. She was a goalie. At the end of the camp it turned out she was the best of all goalies there.

I'll give it a shot (pun not intended).

Manon Rhume (sp?)

Can't remember. It was quite a few years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manon_Rh%C3%A9aume

That is such a ridiculous statement it really doesn't warrant an answer.

They play a no contact game so there are going to be less fights, actually no fights.

But please, please don't try to tell me they are better players.

When they are training for their upcoming international competitions who do they play against? Community midget teams 16 to 18 year old boys and even then they don't always win.

Even if they played their rules against an NHL calibre team they (the "girls") would get annihilated.

Steve, you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine.

OP - IMO its well worth while to take a peek at the womens world hockey championships. IMO is quality hockey, different from the mens as I mentioned before. Im a firm supporter of womens hockey, I think its wonderful that women can compete well in a male dominated sport.

I think (although I havent checked it out yet), that both the mens and womens hockey world hockey championships start next may....but you may want to check out the schedule......

Anyway, enjoy. Its always exciting.

The gold medal game last year at the mens world hockey championship between russia/canada was really exciting. We were in sweden and watched the game at a restaurant with some friends.

Canada played well, had a 4-2 lead over russia, and as many commentators stated, we started to be "cute" and lost the game 6-5 in OT. Oh well, theres always next year.....

To quote Boris Johnston..... Balderdash!

I have played Ice Hockey for a number of years and have regularly trained with the GB and NZ women.... I have watched many a womens game.

Entertaining, yes.... Better players than the men.... Absolutley not!.... I'm rubbish and I was better than the NZ girls (OK so they're pool 4 in the world champs, but so are the NZ men and they ran rings around me!)

I gotta say this is one thing i am looking to in a big way. Im hooked on hockey even if its only the british EIHL i was and support the mighty Cardiff Devils.

But i can say i met the great Theoren Fleury 3 years back when he played for the Belfast Giants