10 Reasons Why NHL Hockey Is The Greatest Sport On Earth

As the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs and 100th NHL season comes to an end, here are just a few reasons why hockey is the greatest sport on Earth

1.) The Speed of the Game

Via sportingnews.com

The speed of NHL games are by far the fastest in professional sports. Players have the ability to skate upwards of 25 mph on 1/8 inch steel razor blades. They can move the puck up and down the ice surface in a matter of seconds with very limited breaks.

2.) The Physical Aspects

Via japersrink.com

Every NHL game has thunderous and bone-crushing body checks that bring the fans out of their seats and the players to the ice. At any given time there are 5 players on the opposite team trying to knock the snot out of the person with the puck.

3.) The Skill

Via talkhockey.ca

NHL players have the hands of surgeons. They make stick handling and scoring ridiculous goals at top speed look easy.

4.) Player Toughness

Via nesn.com

NHL players are the toughest athletes in all of professional sports. They can get their teeth knocked out or take a puck to the face mid-game, and insist on finishing the game.

5.) Sacrificing the Body

Via nextimpulsesports.com

Hockey has goalies for a reason, so why would a player wearing half the protective equipment step in front of a slap shot… right? Wrong. Players make it a goal of theirs to prevent every possible scoring opportunity from the other team, even if it means stepping in front of a 100 mph slap shot.

6.) Creative Plays

Via ftw.usatoday.com

Scoring on large goalies and small nets in the NHL isn’t easy. Players must be as creative as possible to attempt to successfully sneak the puck in the net, even if that means shooting the puck between their legs.

7.) Last-Second Desperation

Via theoverpassblog.wordpress.com

The game doesn’t always go the way the players plan. This could result in an all-for-nothing desperation play, or a puck in their back of the net.

8.) Showing Respect for the Other Team

Via undhockey.areavoices.com

After a 4-7 game playoff series, both teams exchange pleasantries in a handshake line. The losers congratulate the winners on a hard-fought series in one of the classiest traditions in all of sports.

9.) The Fans

Via mlive.com

Whoever said that the National Hockey League doesn’t have fans is dead wrong. In reality, hockey has some of the most loyal and passionate fans in the world.

10.) The Stanley Cup

Via tumblr.com

The Stanley Cup is the oldest and most storied trophy in all of sports history. A chance to hoist the cup over their head is the reason why they play the game.