Slap Shot meets Youngblood

Rating: 7/10 (13 March 2012)

As my title states I think this movie does a pretty good job of bringing 70's & 80's hockey passion into the Millennium.
Never been much of a Sean William Scott fan but he's passable as Doug "The Thug" Glatt. Liev Scrieber's character of Ross "The Boss" Rhea is more palatable and if your a hockey player or enthusiast then you'll relate to his role a lot more.
For me Slap Shot was and always will be the #1 hockey movie ever, but this won't be out of place as my #2, just pipping Youngblood.
Would've liked to have seen a bit more involvement from Eugene Levy as Doug's Dad, didn't really see what point he played in the film to be honest. Also Doug's "love interest" wasn't much cop either. If they'd steered away from the silly sub-plots of hometown bot does good or nice guys CAN finish first etc then you'd have more of a "balls to the wall" hockey flick for the hardcore viewer. That said, 7/10 for a subject that will always struggle to get bums on seats, whether it's the comedy of the year or a docu-drama that pulls on the heart strings.
I'd personally like to see the equivalent of Any Given Sunday (NFL Football) with an NHL hockey theme, making use of a high profile cast also.