I love watching hockey.  The speed of the game, the hits, the goals, the saves.  The sound of the slicks slapping the pucks, the sound of the puck when it bounces off the board.  Awesome.

What I'm starting to get a huge distaste for is the gimmicks.  The blaring of the music when play stops, the constant "get loud" to encourage those in attendance.to, well, get loud.  Then there is the intermission t-shirt giveaways, the food giveaways, the free stuff by companies.  It's all a little bit too much when really what happened to going to just enjoy hockey for hockey.

It's hilarious and sad to see people acting like fools to trying and get a cheap t-shirt.  Or food coupon.  And the booing of the lower bowl when they win free stuff over the upper bowl has gotten old.

I was at the opening home game couple seasons ago against Buffalo when the power went out.  They started the game anyways - no music.  No gimmicks.  Nada.  It was beautiful.  Just glorious hockey to watch without the distractions.

So what are your thoughts?  Are hockey games too gimmicky?  Should they tone it down?  Do more?  It's to the point that I'm starting to enjoy watching it on tv over going to the games.