That Sweet Sweet Music

Following along with my post last week about the Pens/Caps series and how it helped bring me back to the game of hockey, let me tell you about the best thing hockey has going for it right now. Its not the young stars taking control of the game, its not breathtaking saves, hell its not even the fights, it is....THE HOCKEY ORGAN!!! Is there a better musical instrument than this? Quick and simple answer..NO!

While watching any hockey game recently, and believe me I have watched my fair share, whenever I hear the dulcet tones of the horgan, I first crack up laughing because it sounds like something that is more suited for this, and second my mind starts racing to figure out which song it is projecting for the masses. For example, the lady and I were watching one of the Pens-Caps games last week and the horganist decides its the perfect time to play Pink's "Rock Star", and who is going to argue with a horganist. I am not a fan on Pink, never really have been, maybe she has one song that I may enjoy, but that's about it, but whenever one of her songs is played with the sweet ivory of the keys on a horgan I LOVE IT!!!

Another example, I was watching a Red Wings-Ducks game when Detroit's professional horganist chooses to play Katy Perry's "Hot-n-Cold"....PRICELESS!! I have no problem admitting I've been known to drink a few beers and belt out the words to this song, but I was sober and singing along this time. The fact of the matter is while church organs are nice, hockey organs are SPECTACULAR! They literally sound like a 1980's hair band synthesizer on steroids. (Gary Bettman, please don't test it!)

I think my appreciation for this magic maker first began back in college. I was at a Flyers playoff game against Tampa Bay back in 2003, if my memory is correct. 20,000 Philadelphians wearing at least one piece of orange clothing each, this place needed no extra incentive to be riled up, but then it happened...ENTER SANDMAN ON THE ORGAN!! I was blown away, it was one of the coolest things I have ever heard, and the Wachovia Center went nuts. If Metallica would have been there, they would've left with their tales between their legs, that's how impressive it was. I really think the sweet sounds were solely responsible for the Flyers victory that night. So the next time you're at a hockey game, and you really should try to get out to one, raise a Bud Light to local horganist, because he is....A Real American Hero. (Or Man of Genius, whichever you prefer.)