Spoiler alert, very different.
On the 18th of January I went to my first ever ice hockey game, Leeds Knights vs Bristol Pitbulls, not knowing what to expect.
I was greeted with lots of fans being loyal to Leeds knights as they were all wearing the classic yellow colours, lots with their favourite player on the back. Which included Griffin and Peyton.
We found our seats and had a great view. There were lots of officers asking spectators if they want to take part in any bets, or if they want to take part in ‘throw the puck’ which was a game that spectators have to throw a rubber puck onto the rink and the nearest to the Leeds knights mascot wins £300 and whoever came second won a £50 merch voucher. I think this is a great way to get everyone involved. This happened just before the third stint of play.
Overall, the atmosphere was electric, just before the game started, the lights dimmed and music was booming, like a roller disco. Then they introduced both teams, as we were at home Leeds knights got a bigger roar out of the crowd. Both teams stood with the crowd and sang the national anthem. Then the game started.
I noticed straight away that the build up before the game is much bigger and more Americanised than field hockey, as ice hockey is huge in America this does make sense, the atmosphere was better overall. There are some similarities between both professional games, whenever there’s stoppage time for a penalty or a foul the music does always start playing as soon as, in ice hockey this means that the spectators can get up and move, as its safe too (you’re not allowed to stand when games in play as its dangerous.) But In field hockey you don’t have to be as aware.
The game was split up into 3 sets of 20 minutes with 15 minutes break time in between, this is totally different to field hockey, as its 35 minutes each way with a 5-minute half time. In ice hockey I think this is to build up more atmosphere during the breaks, it lets the spectators to get up, look at the merchandise, food etc.
Another thing I noticed was the players and positions, at any one time there’s only 6 players of the ice per team, and their positions are different, in ice hockey they have netminders, defenders and forwards but for field hockey they have midfielders as well. The rink is obviously smaller than a regular field hockey astro, so it makes sense that they need netminders as it makes it a tougher game.
The score ended 5-2 to Leeds knights, the crowd went crazy for every goal they scored, music started as they did a victory lap every time, boosting the atmosphere even more. The crowd had horns that they were blowing throughout.
Ice hockey and field hockey, even though have the same name are very different sports- well one’s on ice! I loved going to watch and I love how involved the crowd were in the game, even as a field hockey player myself I would love to go back and relive the night.