Say what? You're a hockey fan... and haven't seen this???

Most of you know me to be a really big hockey fan. So, this is quite embarrassing. When I first started dating my boyfriend, now husband... he was shocked to learn I am a hockey fan and Canadian, yet have never seen the classic, Slap Shot. Yes, it's true... in fact, I had never even heard of this so called 'classic', until my boyfriend had brought the movie's title up.

I got weeks of "How can you be Canadian and never have seen this?!?!?"... Well, I wasn't quite sure then... or even now. It's probably weird enough that I grew up my whole life in Ontario, Canada (mostly Toronto) and no one in my entire family liked hockey. My dad hates all sports, my mom just doesn't pay attention and my sister never really was into any type of sport. I'm not really sure how it is I got to adapt my taste for hockey. I guess that hockey fairy just knocked some sense into me one night ;).

...So, just after my boyfriend and I had gotten engaged, he bought a copy of Slap Shot on DVD. It must have collected dust on the DVD shelve for nearly a year
and a half, because I just saw Slap Shot for the first time this passed weekend. Not sure why, I think I've convinced a friend of mine (from New Jersey) who has just adapted an interest in hockey into becoming a Toronto Maple Leafs fan instead of cheering on the New Jersey Devils.

So, we finally got around to watching this classic at her house.

The Premise:

Paul Newman stars as the coach of the Chiefs, a third rate minor league hockey team. Attempting to build up attendance at their games, the management acquire 3
players who seem to be very out of place to demolish the team's opposition.

I must say, I wasn't quite sure to think about this one. After all, the only hockey movies I can remember watching were the Mighty Duck ones. Which pretty much speak
for themselves...

Slap Shot begins with the Charleston Chiefs , obviously in financial trouble. The team's general manager wants to sell the team to, as he puts it "cut his losses". The Charleston Chiefs team's play is horrendous, having an extremely hard time trying to win even a single game, resulting in the team's attendance being limited to only a few mere fans.

When the news of the team moving to Florida the following year leaks out, it affects the players, who don't want to move and feel no reason to try to improve their play. With the decreasing effort by the team, the fans see it as a perfect opportunity to verbally attack the team, proclaiming just how horrible they really are.

Soon the management brings in three newcomers, the Hanson brothers, who are very out of place. The team considers the newcomers a joke, as they seem to have a uniqueness to
them. Beyond the glasses, and "geek" like personalities, they have unusual rituals, such as applying tin foil beneath their gloves. The team is soon shocked when they realize just how drastically the Hanson brothers change the team. Suddenly the team's toughness has drastically increased, as well as the scoring. Soon the team's attendance drastically increases, as fans pour into the arena.

Christin's Thoughts:

I must admit, I did really enjoy this one. As the Charleston Chiefs improve, the style of hockey goes from boring to hilariously amusing. For those of us who know
anything about hockey, these days fighting is looked down upon, well at least by the officials. That's probably what makes Slap Shot so amusing to watch. Brawls, fights, hits... you name it, it doesn't only happen... but it encouraged. In fact, the officials are the last people any player can turn to for sympathy.

Slap Shot is the type of movie that will just make you laugh, probably mostly because it’s so far from the reality of the hockey we’re all used to. The Chiefs that were once a very boring team, are now scoring and giving hits, beating the opposition with sticks and insults.

If you’re looking for an entertaining sports movie this is it. It’s really quite fun to watch, especially during NHL play-off time... it’s gotten me really hyped up :).