Stanley Cup at 2 AM? Welcome to European Hockey Fandom
There’s something seriously unhinged (but kind of admirable) about watching NHL games in Europe. Especially the Stanley Cup Finals. The puck drops at 2 AM, non-negotiable. But hey, someone has to do it — and apparently that someone is me.
If you’re a hockey fan living in Europe, you already know the drill. Game time? More like midnight warm-up followed by 3 hours of existential crisis. I don’t know if it’s dedication or just plain stupidity, but every May and June I find myself wide awake, surrounded by darkness, with one hand on my coffee and the other refreshing the NHL app like it’s going to give me purpose.
Sleep? Never heard of her.
Americans don’t understand the struggle. “Why don’t you just watch the replay?” they ask. Because it’s not the same. The chaos, the energy, the unfiltered drama of live playoff hockey — it’s addictive. Also, I can’t go on social media without being spoiled in 0.3 seconds. So yeah, I suffer.
And, of course, making TikToks reacting to the game, posting Threads as we go, connecting with fans.
At 2 AM, I’m curled up on my couch in Slovakia like some deranged nocturnal creature, eyes half-shut but fully locked on the screen. My neighbours probably think I’m being attacked with the way I scream during overtimes. Honestly, if you ever hear yelling from my flat at 4:30 AM, no one’s dying — I just need my team to clear the zone.
You start doing weird things…
Like watching the entire post-game press conference. Or rewatching the winning goal ten times. Or contemplating your life choices as the sun starts to rise. At this point, it’s less about sports and more about a personal psychological experiment.
And don’t get me started on weekday games. Try explaining to your boss why you’re a zombie on a Tuesday morning. “Sorry, I had a 3 AM appointment with Connor McDavid.”
But I wouldn’t trade it for anything
Yeah, it sucks. But it also makes me feel part of something bigger. Like I’m connected to fans across the world — even if I’m the only lunatic in my apartment building who thinks 2 AM is a totally reasonable time for faceoff.
So next time you complain about a late start, remember us: the forgotten, exhausted, espresso-fueled European NHL fans.
We’re not OK. But we love this game.
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