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lyrawmn wrote:
> As I understand, the passion for ice hockey is almost encoded in the
> good Canadian 'DNA' and Canadian ethos/experience.
> It is afterall Canada's national game, curling be dammed.
> Is it then true that one becomes fully acculturated and assimilated
> [and can call oneself a Canadian] only after one watches/ follows and
> develops an appreciation for the nuances of ice hockey - the great Canadian
> pastime?
> Is this too much to ask of immigrants to Canada?
Yes, it is.
The Australians call the sport ice boxing. Which is very appropriate.
There is no sportsman who will be able to watch more than 10 minutes of the
game without feeling disgust. Fist fights are usually the highlight of the
game.
The referees just stand and watch as opponents punch each other on centre ice.
After about 60 seconds, the referees might start to break up the fight. When
questioned
why this goes on, the owners of the teams confess that a lot of the fans will
stop
attending matches if there are no fights.
The Olympics have different rules. If you play dirty, you are sent off to cool
down.
As for your concern about immigrants, the fastest growing sport in the country
is soccer.
Women's soccer being as or more popular than men's. The immigrant here has no
need
to accept the status quo. When the time has come for change locally, things
will.
I have seen tremendous change for the better since I moved here 15 years ago.
Mervyn1115Lobo
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