Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXIX: Yes, this is the Rumpel Rink!
A lot.
I suppose I've generally been a Bob Johnson style optimist when it comes to Badger Hockey but I find myself even more so since moving away a couple years ago. And when people ***** about a lot of stuff; while I respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and certainly have every right to complain about anything (which is how positive change generally comes about anyway) I confess at times part of me is sometimes thinking about how often people don't appreciate what they do have until it's gone.
It costs me at least $4k just to take in two weekend series with Mrs. McBadgerton and the little McBadgerton. (And believe me, that is what I spend it for. No one in my extended family is under any illusion I make the trips to see them!) Sure, there are plenty of things that go wrong, are wrong, need improvement, etc. but the Badger Hockey Experience is a pretty **** great one overall, and those of you who are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to regularly participate in it are quite lucky already, and hopefully, do appreciate what it does offer while you can.
I respect all of that. We only go to a football game about every other year now - even though we live in town. Used to go to every game for over 10 years and have slowly fazed it out over the past 10 years to where we are now. Wife is always bugging me to go and I'm always like... ehhh.
After the game this year (and every other time), I said "We should do this more often." And meant it. I admit, I take for granted that I live here and can tap into Badger sports anytime I want. Makes it easy to forget how fun these events can be coz it'll be there next year and the year after that and the year after that...
That said, when you live here and have to endure the ups and downs of the hockey program in person, game after game, season after season, rather than tapping in every once in a while, it can/will wear you out. I don't believe that the things that are being complained about are reactionary or nitpicking.
These issues have been festering and even posters who 5 or 6 years ago were still rosy and reluctant to criticize are now voicing displeasure.
I know what self-loathing, nitpicking fans look and sound like. I'm a Blackhawks fan and those people complain about everything - even now in what is the golden age of the franchise.
"Oh, Crawford blew the shutout!" - in a 5-1 win. "Toews should produce more at that cap hit." - even though he's a two-way player who often gets matched against the other team's top center/line. "Kane doesn't take his defensive responsibilities seriously." - even though that's not his role and he's a little person. "Keith isn't good enough on the point" - even though he's a 2-time Norris winner.
It's unbelievable, but that's how Chicago sports fans are.
Badger hockey fans have legitimate gripes and are nothing like many Hawks fans.
