Hockey, almost a religion here?

A couple of days ago I went to my first hockey game in Jönköping, Sweden (where Anton is from). The teams play in the SHL or Swedish Hockey League but are strangely enough considered "clubs". Anton's family was kind enough to buy us tickets and take us to see HV71 Jönköping vs LHC Linköping. The arena was full. There were concessions and a memorabilia shop just like at any other sports venue. The sport seemed like any other seriously beloved sport, cult-like in the mannerism of hitting the provided folded paper pamphlet to cheer on the players and the chanting and songs sung that you can tell are done at every game. I have never been to a NHL game in the states, yes sadly no Red Wings game in person. But I imagine the atmosphere is similar. At least it appeared to be similar to a University of Michigan Hockey game I attended. When you are not a regular fan to a certain sport or any sport for that matter, going to a game makes you feel like a foreign being because you don't know the proper protocol like the fans that come and support the teams on a regular basis. Add in being in a foreign country at a game and it really is a different experience. Of course my Swedish is poor and almost non-existent so far, but the rules of this game appeared possibly different than from US hockey. I just tried to go with the flow.

For professional players the skill level was definitely not as good as the NHL. Anton told me that Swedish hockey player (goaltender) Henrik Lundqvist who just so happens to play for the New York Rangers is said to be the most overrated player in the NHL. He seems very arrogant to me. The arena was much smaller for one that has "professional" players. The Kinnarps arena in Jönköping holds 7,000 (of which 1,100 standing), which is comparable to the Yost Ice arena at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor holds 6,600 people. Joe Lois arena home to the Red Wings holds a capacity of 20,066! The game was still good entertainment. There were three children sitting in front of us, with their parents and one of their grandfathers, who were just as fun to watch as the game. The oldest boy was really upset that his team, HV71, was losing and his little brother tried to console him, it was so cute. Their sister cheered and just enjoyed herself. It was very sweet to see them. Anton commented that the boy didn't know the rules of the game after hearing what he had yelled.
 
I decided after the teams were tied 1 to 1 that I was rooting for LHC because they were the visitors and so was I. I told Anton I was rooting against him and every time my team scored he had to give me a kiss. He said he had no real allegiance to either team and may cheer for LHC too, either way he liked my smooch idea and obliged. Linköping won 7 to 1 and overall I had a good time. The camaraderie was probably better than what you would see at any given NHL game and I really appreciated that. Hockey is a popular sport here and people are truly dedicated to rooting on Sweden in international competitions (especially Anton who is a very sore loser). As for me hockey is fun to watch, but I will most look forward to taking Anton to a Detroit Tigers game this summer; I mean baseball is the American pastime right? Hopefully we can make it a family event!