I've now given both a shot. Tonight was my first NHL game. I've probably been to five or so soccer games over the last several years.

Soccer is generally pleasant--warm summer evenings, relaxed--kind of like baseball. I find my mind wander and I do a lot more chatting with whoever is sitting next to me. Hockey--much more intense--I was dialed in for sure--the movement on the ice is obviously faster and it keeps my attention better.

Hockey--no diving/flopping/faking. The opposite. Big hits, guys in each others' faces. Just more testosterone. Probably five near fights tonight. It is not a "beautiful" game, but a gritty game. It seems like in soccer guys get offended; in hockey guys get pissed.

Fans--kind of annoying on both counts. RSL and UHC have a lot of yewt overlap for sure, but different segments. RSL fans tend to be a lot of metrosexuals with beards and tattoos. Hockey fans--so many mullets. An impressive number, frankly. It was like a mullet convention at Delta Center. And tons of ugly women at hockey games. Just big, mean Germanic and Eastern European types. Lots of ladies down near the ice with flirty signs for their favorite NHL players. Ladies--it isn't working (or, maybe it is--I don't know).

And thank goodness no stupid fan clubs with their flags, dumb chants and songs. Sorry RSL (and all of soccer). The fan club thing is so weird/silly. And thank goodness there is not 90 minutes of latinos hammering on drums. That is just terrible. It is one step from vuvuzelas. Leave your snare drums at home and just watch the dang soccer game, amigo.

Hockey--still too much stopping. Too much time between periods, constantly stopping for this or that and waiting for a bunch of figure skaters to come out with snow shovels every three or four minutes to clean off the rink. Soccer wins on that count, although the extra time thing is lame and turns into a giant game of fake injuries and stalling and pretending.

Hockey--I get tired of all the dance cams, beer chug cams, games, etc. I hate that element of Jazz games as well. Just play the dang game and stop interrupting so much.

In all--hockey is newer and shinier for me right now. I'll give it some more chances and see if it sticks. Soccer--I just don't care. If someone at work hands me free tickets, sure, I'll go, but if after 5-10 years it still hasn't resonated with me, I doubt it ever will.

My ultimate conclusion--football (American style) is so perfect.