“The Finnish journalist reveals his favorite hockey movie. You might be surprised…”

More after the jump.

Seen Slap Shot lately?
Wherever two hockey fans meet, there is always hockey talk. And where there is hockey talk, there are differing opinions about a few things.

Like, who the greatest player ever is. Some say Wayne Gretzky, others try hopelessly to argue for Gordie Howe, or Bobby Orr, even Mario Lemieux. (The right answer is, of course, Gretzky.)

Or, which team is the greatest in NHL history? There are those who argue for the 1991 Detroit Red Wings, some others are all for 1976 Canadiens, and a group of Canadians even think the 1967 Toronto Maple Leafs was the one. (Here, the correct answer is 1984 Edmonton Oilers.)

There are numerous categories to talk and think about when you meet a kindred spirit at a cold arena, or in a sports bar while you’re the only ones watching the hockey game on that one screen showing hockey when everyone else is watching football on all the other screens.

And so it goes, you give and take, you score some, you make some saves, and even when you throw in different names and teams, you’re both on the same team. The hockey team.

But there’s one category with usually only one nominee: The best hockey movie.

Ask anyone, and the answer to that is going to be “Slap Shot,” coupled with quotes from the 1977 movie. Like, “Old time hockey, like Eddie Shore, Dit Clapper, and Toe Blake,” or, “Icing ‘appen when the puck come down, bang, you know, before the other guys, nobody there, you know. My arm go comes out, then the game stop then start up.”

Except me. I don’t think it’s the best hockey movie ever. I can understand why people think it’s so great but for me, it just doesn’t do it. Slap Shot is probably very true to the times, and I’ve read the stories about the screenwriter, Nancy Dowd, traveling with the team to get everything right, but as far as the sport that I like and fell in love with? That just ain’t it.

I remember the outdoor advertising for Slap Shot at the bus stop across the street from our apartment, and hearing my parents talk about the movie, and the slight controversy about the language used in it.

I can’t remember the first time I saw the movie, but I remember the last one, a few years ago. What was funny to a teenager wasn’t that funny anymore. Ogie Ogilthorpe wasn’t that great a character, Paul Newman couldn’t really skate, and the Hanson brothers … Aaaaaaaaahdunno. Come on.

That’s why I’m going to go with Miracle. The story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team is truly amazing, and Kurt Russell is perfect as Herb Brooks. Then again, we go a way back. Back in 1979, when my parents wouldn’t let me see Slap Shot, my friend and I went to see “Elvis” instead. Kurt Russell was amazing as the King. Besides, I did play pinball with Phil Verchota, but not with Reggie Dunlop or “Dr. Hook.”

Sure, Slap Shot is a classic. Yes, it’s a fine movie (because Paul Newman certainly can act!), and it’s definitely one of the best hockey movies made, but let’s face it. What’s the competition? Youngblood, Miracle, Miracle on Ice (the 1981 made-for-TV version with Karl Malden), the Mighty Ducks… Mystery, Alaska? OK. They don’t exactly floor me.

Where are all the great hockey stories? That’s the mystery. I have the Best American Sports writing anthologies from the past five years on my bookshelf. That’s about a hundred great articles about sports, and off the top of my head, I can remember only one story about hockey and way too many about boxing.

And we all know that hockey is filled with amazing personalities, and drama.

Anyway, I just added “The Rocket” onto my local “Netflix” list, and I can’t wait to see it. I hope that Slap Shot gets dropped down a notch on my list.