Hockey At The Local Poem by Deanna Samuels

Looking around, two distinct patterns of wear,
the home team jersey with colors of the day,
the visiting club with own emblems emblazed
distinguishes who is vying for which team

The first round has been played
our side down one,
some penalties given to both sides
and the usual small fights taken place

Attendees as noisy as ever
running back and forth to busy food stands
bringing back pop filled to the brim,
fries overflowing the carton edge

Pizza slices are hurriedly eaten at their best
while cheese dips slowly munched
as taste buds capture the savoury flavor
satisfying the hungry pangs of energy used

The sign of the fifty-fifty ever increasing,
one lucky winner to go home richer in pocket
while a seat holder gets bouquet of flowers
and another, packs of meat for a year

Second period starts with a flourish
and suddenly, a goal scored by home team
What a cheer - enough to burst an eardrum
Home crowd in much better mood

Further shots but puck fails landing in ops net
and then fans watch another losing goal
oh no - but then, what are we all here for -
to watch hockey and cheer home team to win!

Oh dear, that's not quite happening,
yet another goal scored against.
Boos and ohs from upset home crowd
but that's all part of the game!

The mascot bangs his drum to excite the kids
and a dozen or so team t-shirts thrown
over the nets into the arena middle seats
where would be receivers are thrilled to catch

Another break and usual rush to food stands
while fun games for audience played on the ice
or young would-be hockey players play short game
then the Zambonis smooth ice rink for final round


Written on 3rd October 2026 at local hockey game in Oshawa, Ontario