Take a never-ending well of hockey fans. Add 5 questions that almost everyone will have an opinion on. What do you get? Well, take a look….
If you’re interested in jumping in next time, we’ll be hosting #PuckChat on Twitter every Thursday. You can get an idea of what to expect here. We’ll have a morning session—and then an evening session for those who prefer to participate when they’re a little more awake. We’ll take the tweets from both sessions and put all the responses here.
So without further ado, here’s what the masses think!
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Question #1: Let’s start off easy: What was the first NHL game you ever attended? What about the best?
@1blackhawkfan: Hawks pre-season 1976/SCF Game 5 2010.
@adamkmay: CHI @ CLB in 07. Best part was my g/f took me to the game for Valentines Day and Chi won
@AndrewCieslak: 1st one I can remember was VAN at CHI in 1995 season. Hawks won 9-2. BERNIE NICHOLLS.
@Baroque97: First: Anaheim at Detroit, February 2009. Best: Wild at Det, March 26 2010. With 150 friends. 
@bcathey: #Blackhawks Don’t remember the dates or the rival team, but it was back in the Barn and I sat behind a pillar.
@beerforthedaddy: First: LA Kings v EDM Oilers in 1984… best was game 7 of cup finals when @tblightning won the cup!
@betterthanadee: Never been to an NHL game.. Only a #Leafs game. #IfYouCantLaughAtYourself
@bluejacketsbabe: First was CBJ in 2000. Best was CBJ/DET playoffs game 4 2009
@Bytor2112: Best NHL game has 2 be 12/22/09 when I met @gimmeapuck @tinao37 @kdigio @hawksgirl924 and@caricariboberri Who could forget #EpicDecember
@CapCityCraig: First: Inaugural Game v. CHI (2000) Best: Vs. Dallas (2001-2?) bc I got to heckle Brett Hull in his final season.
@CBJ4Ever: First: January 1971 Vancouver @ Pittsburgh. Best: Game 1 of 2009 Finals Pittsburgh @ Detroit
@cbjnick: First was cbj vs avs and best was 1st home playoff game for cbj
@ClarkleSparkle: Feb 13, 2007, Bruins v. Edmonton. Johnny Bucyk night. RT @wickedbruinsfan Q1: What was the 1st NHL game you ever attended?
@Comicgirl8: Fall 1989, Vs. Quebec, Not 100% on the date RT @wickedbruinsfan Q1: What was 1st NHL game you ever attended?
@CouchTarts: Sharks home opener start of the 05-06 season and Round 2, game 5 against the Wings last season, ELIMINATED the dedthings! YES!
@dan_offerdahl: North Stars vs ????? at Met Center when I was probably 7. played in one of those in between period mini games.
@dave716: first NHL game? PHI/NYR 1979 best? World cup USA/CAN
@Devsfan55: Devils game in 1984 was the first. I don’t remember who they played lol. Best? Brodeur’s 552nd win
@DocScratchNSnif: First game: Nov. 15, 1990 Whalers @ Devils. Best game: Brodeur breaks wins record (and it was st pats day!)
@doogie2k: MTL-TBL, October ’94 at the Forum. Oh wait, never mind. Actually, probably CGY-ANA the game after The Brawl. Best? I dunno, probably some CGY-EDM preseason game, because that’s what I can afford.
@emcerlain: Islanders vs. Red Wings. 1975.
@frickindannie: First: FLA/CBJ 9/00 (pre), best: ???
@GameTimeArt: 1st game Nords @ Oilers in 1991 (or was it 90?) .. Best game? 1st round, game 4 1999 playoffs Stars @ Oilers.
@gcducksfan: Wed Feb 7, 2007: ANA(2) v SJS(3). Not the best but the first. My dream came true.
@goverjkg: 1989 #Pens v. #NorthStars pre-season game at Oakland Arena.
@happygirl1029: 1st Game Whalers vs Ranger in MSG in early 80′s. Best game: the 2 games I saw this past Oct in AAC for my bday. best hockey game I ever saw was in 93 when Miami U tied LSSU in the Soo to win the CCHA
@hawknut: New best entry:Nov.’91,played w J. Tonelli’s son, John was scratched, he let me watch from the Stadium organ loft
@Heat3855: Pretty sure it was Stars-Ducks
@HockeyBroad: 1st live NHL game – CHI vs DET, 10/99. Best – game 4 of playoff series Blackhawks vs Sharks 5/23/10
@howie9416: NYR -Buf 1984. Best was game 5 94 playoffs vs caps. Leetch scores series winning goal
@hpatt15: Blues @ Preds in 2006. The best? Hawks @ Preds game 3, 2010
@icebaby20: Stars vs Sharks! Turco vs Nabby
@joeyhurricane: First game…Pens-Whalers 12-27-84. was 4 yrs old, hooked since.
@jtvenniro: Jan. 15, 1989 – Buffalo 3, Calgary 2 from the Aud in Buffalo.
@justin_rc: Stars game very last row at reunion arena. best game #Stars v. #Sharks game 6 went to 4 OT. Awesome.
@kevinmfay: 1st: Pens/Sabres in Buff. Best: SCF Game 4 in 08 cause it was SCF
@kittypets: 1st: Rangers/Caps Best? Kings playoffs April.
@likecrazypaving: Never had the chance. 
@manderichia2: 1st game: Devils vs. Sabres, 1998. Best game? 2005 playoffs – Devs against Canes
@MER11: 1st NHL game was Caps-Avs March of 1997. I still have the ticket from the game. I was hooked 2 minutes in. (No pun intended.)
@micahsussman: Blackhawks vs. Blue Jackets last year with my dad was my first. Best game was last night Blackhawks/Avs in a box!!
@MichSox: In the 90′s it was #Blackhawks vs #Wings
@MikeBradley27: 1st NHL gm: Blackhawks vs Panthers @ Miami Arena. Just moved from CHI to FL & got see a Hawks win & met Dick Bukus as well.
@miss__michelle: first game was sometime during the 95 season, i was super young. best game hands down was the last second tix for game 7 in 03.
@Motley_Su: First? Rangers v. Isles in 1986. First that I actually understood? Sharks v. Leafs in 1995.
@mserven: First NHL game was Kings vs Sabres. October, 1978. Kings won 6-0
@MySecretLife: first game – leafs vs penguins at the old maple leaf gardens. Best game – leafs vs habs
@not_the_walrus: my first was Stars/Flyers in 96 (i think) – Moog/Hextall – we chanted Hextall – the people thought we were calling Last Call…
@OhMySwed3: First game was Jan 24 1998. Sharks vs Panthers. Best thing? It was my first game.
@opiatedsherpa: 1st was #RedWings/#Flames in 1999, best, #Canucks & #Avs in Vancouver, 2001…
@palindrome713: Pretty sure it was a Canucks game don’t remember who they played just the lady who screamed the entire game.
@patriceleonard: 1st game–Flyers in 1985. Best game–3/2010, saw my Hawks in person in Philly.Had seats by bench.
@philhulett: ANA vs DAL ’03 WCSF Game 1 (5 OT’s!)
@pnltbtx: 1st game: Northstars v Maple Leafs, Met Center, Bloomington, MN March,93. Best: Cup banner raising at Reunion. to be honest, I almost picked Gainey’s jersey retirement ceremony game in Montreal. AMAZING!!!
@ReinaDeLaIsla: 1st: NYI-NJD, Jan. 18, 2010. Also the best. 4-0 shutout, DP in net. 
@rinkrebel: 1st, Caps v. Wild, Feb. ’08. Best, despite outcome, Caps v. Flyers, game 7, ’08 playoffs.
@rmarcham: Preseason game between the Oilers & Blues in Tacoma, WA in 1985. Incredible night, sucky arena
@Robinhuck8467: October, 1980. Not sure of the opponent. Steve Kasper’s 1st game as a Bruin.
@Sandwiches1123: First game was North Stars vs. Blues back in like ’93 when I was 12. Best. LAK vs. MNS – saw Gretzky
@scottywazz: Feb. 3rd, 1989, Whalers at Caps. Caps win 1-0.
@shmermel: First game I attended was before I can remember, earliest ticket stub I have is Tor @ NJ from 1991. Best was game 7 in ’03
@SLakePreds: March 28th, 1988 Hartford shuts out St. Louis by 4-0 score.
@slapbetcomish: 01-Caps/Leafs wearing a Domi jersey rooting for the Leafs *gasp*
@slr23_1326: First game attended was in 02-03? Chicago BlackHawks Vs. Nashville Predators.. Best game last year MN Wild Vs. NJ Devils
@smplefy646: First: #isles vs dont remember. What about the best? kings/stars #turco
@stars_gal: Went to a special NHL game @ ATL Omni in late 80′s. Bruins v. somebody. Loved it! Best: 12/18/09 – CHI vs DET w/ my BFF.
@talkendo: First/best: Stars/Sens 1-7-98 Damien Rhodes shutout. Had upperdeck passes. UD Full. Got seat 4 rows from ice. Got to see Bob Bassen fight Denny Lambert right friggin there! haven’t had seets that good since.
@TheProgramBTR: 1st game I attended was 1982..& yes it was the 1st ever NJ win against NYR
@txstarsgirl: First? Stars/Kings in ’00; Best? #WinterClassic Q1: What was the first NHL game you ever attended? What about the best?
@wickedbruinsfan: 1996 Blackhawks vs. Bruins preseason
@WSHUHDIT: 1980 1st. Game @ Nassau Vets Coliseum, Isles-don’t remember it or who they played- I was 2!
@YoCalleJo: A #Caps-#Rangers around 1989. I was 6 & it was awesome.
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Question 2: Is there a player on the All-Star roster who doesn’t deserve to be there? (Full roster here)
@1blackhawkfan: Kane
@adamkmay: Anyone from NJ.
@AntiHeroV: (Unpopular opinion) Zdeno Chara. Look at his league ranks
@Baroque97: Corey Perry. Because I hate his sleazy weasel face.
@bluejacketsbabe: I don’t think so.
@Bytor2112: Any and all players from Detroit, Philadelphia and Vancouver. #EspeciallyLuongo #WhatLuongoIsntAnAllStar #LuongoTears
@dave716: Erik Karlsson
@davidlasseter: Phil Kessel.
@Devsfan55: Green
@doogie2k: Well, obviously, it’s Nick Lidstrom. I mean, hasn’t he been enough already? Make some room, old man! More seriously, there’s no one there I look at and go, “Man, what the hell is HE doing there? It’s bizarre to me that Lidstrom is tied with Byfuglien, who’s like 15 years younger, in points. In two fewer games. WTF. Though I am baffled that Giroux is the only Flyer. How did that happen?
@happygirl1029: IMO a few players who don’t deserve to be there but you never know who turns it down so it’s hard to say.
@hawknut: Gary Bettman
@hpatt15: Cam Ward. No Doubt.
@JordanOrtillan: My only question is to why there’s only 1 goalie of the 6 from the Western Conference.
@kevinmfay: I am a Pens fan and its Malkin
@kittypets: I’m going with the popular pick – Caps- Mike Green
@likecrazypaving: Corey EFFING Perry. KATY Perry has more right to be there.
@lilziggy3399: Patrick Kane
@micahsussman: im going with ales hemsky I like him hes on my fantasy team but he hasnt produced like he could/too many injuries
@MichSox: Hate to admit this but, Kane
@MySecretLife01: Carey Price!!!
@opiatedsherpa: No, I like the All-Star roster.
@patriceleonard: A lot of them, but Elias the most
@ReinaDeLaIsla: um, yeah. want a list? Starting with Phil Kessel and (based on pt production) Ales Hemsky.
@rmarcham: I don’t know. This year’s format makes it hard to figure out who shouldn’t be there in a non-biased manner.
@robperry_12: Patrick Kane
@ryansrowdies: Probably Elias. Malkin a close 2nd
@Sandwiches1123: There is more than just one player. Kessel, Karlsson. “All Star” suggests all the players are stars…
@slr23_1326: Being a #njdevils fan its hard to say but none of them deserve to go to the all-star game this year.
@stars_gal: Mike Green.
@talkendo: Voted in: Marc-Andre Fleury.
@TheProgramBTR: Henrik Lundqvist….and yes I know. But Ondrej Pavelec nearly died on the ice and has a .930 sv %.
@txstarsgirl: FLEURY – stupid fan voters 
@YoCalleJo: Phiiillll Kessel
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Question 3: As for who didn’t make the team: which player was the most obvious snub?
@1blackhawkfan: Briere
@adamkmay: Datsyuuuuk. And Zberg
@Baroque97: Danny Briere. Healthy and playing very well.
@bluejacketsbabe: Henrik Zetterberg!
@Bytor2112: Maybe a contradiction, but Luongo! Would love to see him get shelled! #LuongosTearsAreSalty #TearsFromAClown #TearsInMyCoffee
@cj225devs: I’d have to say Luongo. Not a fan of his, but he’s having a great season.
@codeyh: Pavelec
@dave716: Briere..Never been a fan but he deserves it
@Devsfan55: Tavares
@doogie2k: I was struck that Briere or Richards didn’t make the team from the #Flyers.
@EliseMichelle: Briere by a mile
@FightNightatJoe: Obviously Brett Lebda
@goverjkg: Ryan Suter. Period.
@hawknut: If anyone says BizNasty I’m ripping out my IV and going on a Vicodin-fueled rampage. Andrew Ladd and Alex Semin
@icebaby20: No Jonathan Quick? WTH!
@kevinmfay: Ondrej Pavelec – He got super powers from that black out
@kittypets: Wait! Stop! Quick, let me think..
@micahsussman: Jimmy Howard-Did they not look and see that he is the winningest goalie in the league right now? (tied w/ hiller)
@MikeBradley27: Pavelec
@NonAmericanHero: Ondrej Pavelec- having an amazing season despite playing in front of a bad defense
@not_the_walrus: Rory Fitzpatrick, obviously
@OhMySwed3: As a Sharks fan, it should bother me to say this but Jonathan Quick.
@opiatedsherpa: My #Canucks have 3 players going, no bias snubs IMO…
@patriceleonard: J Quick #Kings
@philhulett: Bobby Ryan (I’m such a homer)
@pucksage: Sean Avery, or Shawn Thornton
@pucktacular: 23 goal Danny Briere.
@ReinaDeLaIsla: I don’t want to say Tavares, but… Tavares. And I gotta admit, as much as I hate him, Dubinsky.
@rinkrebel: For the Caps, John Carlson. Absolutely should be a rookie involved in SuperSkills.
@rmarcham: Why Jimmy Howard isn’t one of the goalies, I don’t know.
@rockarts: Briere for sure
@Sandwiches1123: Briere is up there. If each team HAS to have a representative, Grabovski should have gone for TML
@sarcasmpucktail: Dubinsky and Briere
@shelbylefebvre: Patrice Bergeron got ROBBED.
@sloppymccheese: brier
@stars_gal: I’m biased, but Patrick Sharp #10train
@talkendo: Ondrej Pavele
@TheProgramBTR: Refer to previous question……Ondrej Pavelec
@timchipp: Briere missing from All-Star game is just wrong. Quick as well.
@txstarsgirl: John Carlson for Rookies… Shane Doan, Henrik Zetterburg
@ZeroIndulgence: Keith Yandle
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Question 4: Switching gears again, do you have any favorite hockey sites? Writers?
@Baroque97: Anyone who makes me laugh.
@blinkfink182: In all seriousness, @jtbourne. I’m inspired by how he writes about the game.
@bluejacketsbabe: Favorite writer is @aportzline by far.
@damnitjason: Whatever is responsible for the Guardian Project. Never laughed so much in my life.
@dave716: Tim Sassone & Tim Panaccio. absolutely, 2 of the best writers around right now. Panotch’s only problem is he writes for eklund too
@Devsfan55: @IntentToBlow & @SpeakoftheDevs
@doogie2k: I have all kinds of time for Lowetide.
@DownGoesSpezza: Philly Sports Daily and writer @SWhyno
@FightNightatJoe: @IntentToBlow
@gimmeapuck: I’m a huge fan of @jtbourne
@goverjkg: There’s this one site called section303.com that’s pretty cool….
@hawknut: I also enjoy @DaveLozo & @Russostrib.
@Heat3855: @gimmeapuck you are my all time favorite hockey writer. Now that the gratuitous sucking up is finished I say good day
@KasiaCh: @Buccigross once wrote a column on hockey stadium=cathedral. Amazing.
@kevinmfay: @emptynetters, Puck Daddy. How could I forget @downgoesbrown
@kittypets: Twitter.
@megums: well I’d say @ViewFromMySeats is in my Top 3
@micahsussman: can i say my own even though it is a “sports” site?? I’m narcissistic that way
@MikeBradley27: @Buccigross but it’s a shame ESPN doesn’t cover more hockey
@Motley_Su: I have too many favs now!
@OhMySwed3: I am my favorite writer!
@opiatedsherpa: No fave writers, just fave reporters, like @TSNBobMcKenzie & @Real_ESPNLeBrun.
@patriceleonard: anyone BUT @Eklund. for the record I DO NOT follow him. I just @ mentioned him for the purpose of . I would never lower myself OR my IQ.
@ReinaDeLaIsla: Does your site count, @ViewFromMySeats? oh, I love reading @Proteautype’s columns in THN as well.
@rinkrebel: I’m my favorite writer of course But in seriousness, @cmasisak22 is a great writer.
@rmarcham: How much time do you have? Many!
@rockarts: The Pipeline Show blog. Great read for prospect info.
@Sandwiches1123: Hockey sites – hockeydb.com and capgeek.com, bloggers @jtbourne @crushasaurus @mirtle
@smplefy646: @7thWoman
@stars_gal: I’m lame…just stick to NHL.COM + Puckdaddy.
@talkendo:lately Blackhawks Down Low. Tho Second City Hockey’s always good. Writers? hard to beat @Buccigross. My hockey folder in google reader comprises 13 feeds: Reaugh’s blog, several Hawks blogs, NYTs Slap Shot, yours, and a custom Yahoo pipe for @HockeyBroad
@taloncarde: Like earlier today, @jtbourne brings a great level to puck daddy, I also still enjoy @wyshynski and company as well
@timchipp: Only VFMS for me. Don’t read much hockey.
@txstarsgirl: LOVE @russianmachine and @jtbourne
@wickedbruinsfan: @kuklaskorner
@wingnut817: Letsgowings.com @LetsGoWingscom
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Question 5: And finally, in honor of the All-Star roster announcements, give us one word to describe Gary Bettman:
@adamkmay: Crosvechkin-lover
@Baroque97: Infuriatinglyinsufferable.
@BlackAcesBlog: irrelevant.
@bluejacketsbabe: Fun-size!
@Bytor2112: From my friend Ace Ventura, La-hooo-sa-herrrrrrrrr!
@cbjnick: cottonheadedninnymuggins
@Comicgirl8: Clueless
@CouchTarts: garybettmansayswha?
@damnitjason: Employed? It’s extremely hard to do when we’re only allowed one word. Give us say 40 characters hilarity will ensue.
@dave716: WORTHLESS
@Devsfan55: Creep
@doogie2k: Napoleon.
@ElizabethCloud: Who? That answer brought to u by %75 of the American public. (75 maybe generous )
@FightNightatJoe: Incompetent
@greeneyedlilo: Incompetent.
@happygirl1029: smarmy
@hawknut: Q5 is going to make an “Adult Content Warning” mandatory on the site. I’ll use what my dad calls me: ShitForBrains
@howie9416: egomaniaical ass
@irockthered: One word? For Bettman??? Imbecile comes to mind…
@jabberwockkie: pompous little person
@KendallAM: Fivehead
@kevinmfay: Ignoramus. Not one, but 1…2…3… ha ha ha
@kittypets: Word Association? dweeb
@likecrazypaving: Why?
@micahsussman: is Bitchette ok or should I just go with IfIEverSawHimOnTheStreetIWouldGoAllBobProbertOnHisLittleAss?
@MichelleKenneth: Why am I reminded of that Canadian movie that called him Commissioner Buttman? And it was a Bettman look alike.
@MichSox: Troll
@MikeBradley27: Troll?
@Number31: Weasel
@patriceleonard: Cluelessshitheadgamewreckingtoad
@philhulett: Commentingcouldendagermyjob (That’s a word! Look it up!)
@pucksage: Worthless
@ReinaDeLaIsla: F*ckwit. I’ll say it for you, @rinkrebel.
@rinkrebel: I’m going to be a lady and not use one of several words I am thinking of.
@rmarcham: &%$#&!!
@richardsfan91: jerk describes Bettman well
@ryansrowdies: Little
@SabresProspects: shrewd
@Sandwiches1123: Stubborn. Example: he will not give up on US expansion teams. Shows commitment to those cities.
@sarcasmpucktail: is attention-starved one word?
@schtimpy27: Scapegoat
@scottywazz: Misunderstood
@stars_gal: SWEATERS
@talkendo: Small
@TheProgramBTR: A$$Hole
@ViewFromMySeats: Copyright infringement RT @jabberwockkie: pompous little person
@wickedbruinsfan: Idiot
@zubov56: Dwarf
