Dear Playoff Hockey,

I love you. You come around at the absolute perfect time. You give me a place to channel all of the stress and anxiety that the end of the semester gives me. Instead of having a breakdown about the ten page paper that's looming over my shoulder, I can get all of that pent-up energy out by screaming at refs and players on my laptop that can't hear me.

And should my team make it far enough, I'm able to spend my free summer nights cheering them on with my friends. And even if they don't make it far into playoffs, it's still fun to watch the other teams play and see who's going to bring Lord Stanley home. (And there's a lot less pressure and anxiety about who's going to win if your team isn't even in the running).

I love you even when I get texts from my friends that say things like "I'm not talking to you until playoffs are over" because our teams are on opposite sides of a rivalry. I love being able to tease them lightheartedly about the sport and our allegiances because I know that in the end it's all in good fun. The little arguments about who's the better captain and which goalie deserves more time in the net is all a part of the fun of the sport. Even when you disagree, you know you can respect them because they have the same whole-hearted love for their team that you have for yours.

I love you even when the games are on the west coast and I end up staying awake until three in the morning because why did we have to go into overtime. I love curling up in my bed and trying to keep my eyes open to see who makes that game-winning goal. I love going to sleep with a smile on my face when things go my team's way.

I love you because I love the heightened excitement and anticipation from fans everywhere. You can hardly go anywhere without hearing people talking about last night's game. I love sitting in coffee shops, and libraries, and restaurants and hearing people having passionate discussions on blind calls by refs, amazing goals, and the slight worry over who their team's going up against in the next round.

I love you even when I forget to align my train schedule with the hockey schedule. I love you even when my train rides are more crowded than usual, and far more loud and boisterous. I know everyone on that train is either going to, or coming from, an exciting night of hockey fun. And part of me wishes I could afford to join them.

And when things are really good, I love cheering my team through the playoffs. I love watching them go through round after round. I love watching them become conference champions. And I love that moment in the final round when the buzzer rings and complete euphoria takes over. Knowing that my team worked hard to get to where they are and getting the prize they deserve sends sparks through my body. And as selfish as this may be, man do I love having bragging rights.

I love you, playoff hockey. I can't wait to see what happens this year.

Love always,

A devoted hockey fan.