Continued from WORLD WIDE HOCKEY TOUR –
During Mekkar’s heyday most, not all, arenas only had higher
plexiglass above the dasher and boards normally at the far ends of the ice. That
is where the majority of shots on net are taken and they appeared to be much
heavier panes of glass unlike what is used in the current time. There was
usually less, or none at all, glass extruding above the boards on both sides of
the ice surface even with respect to the penalty boxes. As one might guess fans
took advantage of this aspect in many places. They also took liberties by
pouring beer and throw food, as well as, toss an assortment of items onto and
at opposing players. Especially, enemy players who would be serving their
infraction time in the sin bin in those days.
Mekkar experienced this phenomenon on a first-hand basis
since he was a frequent visitor to the penalty box. Alf called it, “His home
away from home!” Mekkar was on many occasions a target of fan wrath for that
type of mistreatment. Being doused with items while doing his time in the box,
waiting to get free, was a regular occurrence. Much of the time hometown
security agents and police officers assigned to work that particular area during
the match were reluctant to try to stop that type of unruly fan behavior. At
times, they would willfully ignore the actions, laugh and snicker, or watch
gleefully at the abuse against visiting players. Surprisingly, this also
happened in his home rink also because of his style of play and unconcern of making
people angry while the game was ongoing. Mekkar did not miss being the mark of repetitive
drenching by foreign objects after his hockey career was over.
A person has to remember that hockey is a sport that has
allowed fans to throw hats onto to ice. The hats are a symbol for a hat trick
(three goal performance) in one game by a hometown player. Next, the hats are
gathered by the arena crew and normally donated to charity. Other objects are
deposited on the ice also such as an octopus for the first goal by the home
club in a playoff game to signify an old standard. The tradition began in Detroit when it only took
eight victories to win the Stanley Cup before the first NHL expansion in
nineteen sixty-seven. These are practices and rituals that have been present in
hockey for many years. [Wikipedia; The Hockey News]
Since, several arenas at that time had much shorter, and in
a few cases no, glass rising from the top of the boards on the sides of the rink.
Mekkar figured the excuse might have been used that shots on goal were not
aimed there. Plus, it could be a quicker turn around process to convert to
another scheduled activity in the venue. Younger fans, along with their
families, that sat in those seats would often be seen with baseball gloves to
catch deflected pucks. That is, if they could react fast enough. Mekkar thought
it was mainly for their own personal protection because a wayward puck
travelling at high speeds can maim a person. If that vulcanized rubber disc
hits the right spot it can kill too, especially an individual who is
unprepared, unaware, or not paying attention. Sadly, this instance has materialized
on occasion with dire consequences for the victim.
Well, at the rink Mekkar ran into and started a brief chat
with a couple of the home team equipment handling employees. He mentioned
off-handedly about how his squad (the Selects) didn’t have to bring so many of
own toiletries, medications, drinking water, alcohol, daily use items, knickknacks,
and more on this trip. Mainly because they could find and purchase those needed
items here in the city. Mekkar brought up the subject related to stories he
heard from other veteran players back home who performed for various travelling
national and representative squads. More specifically, when those vets played
in matches in other not so modern parts of the world. He commented about team
members, players, officials, coaches, and other club employees were unable to
find what they needed when they required it. The little band got a chuckle out
of that one and reassured him that things were plentiful here in San Diego .
[sportsillustrated.cnn.com; The Hockey News]
That was a relief to Mekkar and he did compliment those
employees during their exchange. These little distractions were not large considerations
occupying the mind or negative issues on this tour. Mekkar said that the trip
organizers, outside of the game schedule, and even more so the host teams all
took good care of the visiting Selects. The teen from the arctic understood
this because he helped carry out and operate similar administrative functions
for a previous squad; he also played for, prior to this journey.
Mekkar was well aware that home tilts against international
squads could attract more fans than non-rivalry regular matches on the
schedule. The employees told him how the Mariners drew a packed house, or close
to it in comparison, in a previous match versus the USSR . It was brought up that the
home side played one of their best games ever. However, San Diego received the shaft along with no
power-plays due to the referee bias against them. The Soviet referee was
accompanying with his own squad, so go figure! They mentioned that there were
no homer calls for the Mariners that night!
The good draw of these visiting teams from overseas was the
reasoning for continuing to book them on the schedule. These exhibition matches
were a novelty for the fans and brought in extra cash and profits. This was
especially key for some of the more financially strapped clubs struggling at
the gate. It was pretty much expected to be a fairly even exchange of
travelling and touring teams going over to the other’s countries’ overseas and
vice versa. Play games in each other’s backyard where these matches would bring
in more fans and all involved would rake in the dough. Similar to dealing with
tourists if you treat them well, they will probably come back. Another option, they
could pass the word onto their acquaintances that also might travel there. This
was becoming a regular standard, led by the World Hockey Association, all over
the hockey globe. The WHA never tried to hide the fact they were truly
attempting to be a world league. Well as much as they could afford, since there
wasn’t the stability of the NHL. [Wikipedia; WHA San Diego Mariners Historical
Site – sdmariners.htm; Playing Hockey The World Over … wha.htm; billsportsmaps.com;
The Hockey News; whahockey.com; hockeyfights.com]
The arctic youngster was quite aware of this trend because
he was present at a few of those events back home. That was before
participating himself in a number of these special matches. Mekkar already knew
about the accompanying extra local media hype before and during the attraction
as he had been part of it on multiple levels. Thus, it resulted in increased
swelled size crowds over the norm during the festivities and exhibition games.
The North American visiting clubs did the smart thing by bring back local and
national heroes and star athletes as part of the games exchanges. When they
came over to Mekkar’s part of the world wisdom and profits prevailed. Former
players would be included that the hometown fans would recognize. Bring the
stars and fans will come! That normally meant great gains for the paying gate
and regular occurrence of sellouts too! Mekkar felt that these overseas tilts
benefitted the hockey industry on a worldwide basis more than anyone could have
predicted.
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