Being in a relationship is hard enough but when you throw hockey into the mix it makes everything that much harder.
Follow your team for a full 82-game season is a challenge in itself and the amount of those games you can actually catch essentially gets cut in half after finding a significant other. If you’ve been in a relationship for a while now then you probably get how things work, but we have some tips for you if you’re a rookie. Here are FIVE crucial tips that every hockey fan should follow in a relationship.
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1) MISS THE ODD GAME
As previously mentioned, you’re going to have to miss some games once things get serious. There’s ways to make this work, though. Examine the schedule ahead of the season and make a list of games you prioritize and the ones you don’t. Put them on your shared calendar so that there’s a mutual understanding of which games are important and which are not. Things obviously come up last minute but at least you’ll be able to catch most of the ones that are really important to you. We suggest listing around 25-30.
2) PACK YOUR TEAM’S OFF-NIGHTS WITH ACTIVITIES
Why even miss a game if you don’t necessarily have to? Be as productive as possible during your team’s off days. Errands, time with the in-laws, dates, you name it. Your resting can get done while watching games.
3) CHOOSE A RESTAURANT WITH A TV IN IT
Okay, so you get sucked into a lousy date and you’re not pleased about it. Heck, it’s even your anniversary and your team is playing in one of its biggest games of the year. So… THINK STRATEGICALLY. Why blow a bunch of cash at some fancy restaurant when you can just keep things more casual at one with a television in it? Everyone wins, it’s a no-brainer really.
4) TEACH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER THE GAME
If things just aren’t working and you’re running out of options then you’ve got to take matters into your own hands and teach your significant other the game. They’re not going to appreciate your dedication to the sport and your team unless they can understand why you like it so much in the first place. Get a white board out and teach them rules, educate them on players, and help them love hockey as much as you do!
5) DON’T BE EMBARRASSING IN PUBLIC
Keep the yelling and face-painting to your living room at home. If you’re out there making a fool of yourself in public then you’re going to get DUMPED.
Alright folks, we suggest you put our five suggestions to use if you’re hoping to have a harmonious relationship. Let us know @BarDown if you think any others should have cracked the list!
