Canucks & Beyond
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Christmas Hockey
by Alanah McGinley on 12/16/08 at 03:28 PM ET
Comments (6)
I absolutely love the Spengler Cup. It’s on my list of must-attend-one-day events—a list that also includes the Superbowl, the Grey Cup, a Stanley Cup Final, any Olympics hockey game, and a World Junior Championship Gold Medal game.
About the Spengler, one of the reasons it’s so appealing is the timing: every year it wedges in nicely during that semi-downtime between Christmas and New Year’s, a time when it’s socially acceptable (or so I choose to believe) to spike one’s coffee every day and generally be a bit lazy. And for another bonus, Canada’s had a fair amount of success with the world’s oldest pro hockey tournament, winning 11 championships since 1984, which adds to my appreciation.
But the greatest thing about that tournament has to be that arena and the atmosphere.
Davos, via Wikimedia.org:
Spectacular, isn’t it? It’s like playing hockey in my idea of some giant Swiss chalet.
The video below shows a bit more—and there’s no need to watch the whole thing, but a peek will give you an idea of the atmosphere. It’s definitely the fans and the arena itself that make this tournament stand out.
Here’s a final photo, of the outside of the arena and the surrounding community:
So if anyone’s got a hankering to to check out this tournament next year, do drop me a line. My bags will be packed in a heartbeat…
Filed in: | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: davos, spengler+cup,
Comments
You read my mind - a sponsor would be a perfect solution; doing our podcast from Switzerland would be wicked. But I’d have a hard time getting on the plane to come home… and I imagine any sponsor we found is unlikely to finance a couple years of my life in the Swiss Alps… damn them. 
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 12/16/08 at 05:59 PM ET
I so want to get here one day. My dad used to work in Switzerland, unfortunately he retired about 15 years ago, long before I discovered the joys of hockey. I just need to coax him out of retirement and smuggle myself over there in his suitcase!
Posted by Sarah from England on 12/17/08 at 06:46 AM ET
That sounds like a lot of trouble, Sarah. We just need to beg someone for plane tickets, while looking desperate and offering to bring chocolate back for them. 
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 12/18/08 at 06:01 PM ET
I know roller (inline) hockey isn’t very popular but it is in South Florida. Anyone know what the best team is because I think it is the Boca Raton Advent Gators who has won 92 games lost 4 and tied 6 in the past 3 seasons
Posted by offshore bank accounts from London on 07/29/09 at 03:42 PM ET
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About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003 (with a notable gap in time through 2010, kicking it with new baby Lucy while living knee-deep in chaos while reading “parenting for complete idiots” during every spare minute) sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen.
In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah was one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast. She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
So that’s me. Who the hell are you?
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I agree, The Spengler is a nice tourney - lots of quality, lesser-known Canadian players who are playing in Europe, interesting club opponents from several countires, and an amazing atmosphere - both the mountains and the fans.
Sponsors - step up and send us Crazy Canuck blogger/podcaster types there to cover it for ya!
Posted by DaveO from North Vancouver BC on 12/16/08 at 05:31 PM ET