“Big epic hockey night”

Invited Rogerio, or Rio as he's also known as, to come home and watch the awesome hockey game between rivals Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. During the whole train ride I kept talking about the coolness of both hockey in general but also this game in particular. Game seven and final match of the season for one of the teams. Who would surpass beyond immortality and lead his troops to the next round; Ovechkin or Crosby, assistant captain vs. captain, ugly monster vs. pretty-boy, Russian foe vs. American hero.

As I got Rio all pumped up he told me he didn’t know the rules that well, cause hockey isn’t so big in Brazil. “BAH!” I said and explained that it’s really not that different from football except when players make contact they don’t act like they’ve been brutally tortured. And they contact a lot. So we hurried home just in time to have missed the first period and a three goals-nothing lead by the Penguins. Fair enough, plenty of time to change this and create some of the celebrated tense and utter edge these matches had produced over the series.

Another two consecutive goals later and the Penguins' were up 5-0. I mutely called it a quit but smiled to express good spirit to my guest. I even started telling stories about the immense game between Sweden and antichrist Finland, down 5-0 but victoriously returned with a 6-5 triumph. Describing "icing" (see it as offside), "subs" (as many and as often as you want - throughout the entire game´- yes) and "tackling" (allowed but don't overdo it) was a little bit harder I think. Rio, who is a picture of politeness, kindly nodded his head from time to time but could impossibly be infatuated by the game. Or my anecdotes.

The game ended 6-2 and both of the team's stars each scored a goal but it was captain America gliding off the ice with a smirk reaching his helmet’s edges. Afterwards we went and ate burritos and I’m only assuming that was it of Rio’s hockey experience.