FanHouse Slovakia

We've already seen how a small crowd of about 4,000 Slovakian hockey fans puts over 15,000 NHL fans to shame with their enthusiastic post-game celebrations. NHL fans simply race for the exits while the Slovaks party like its 1999.

Now, how about during the game, during those frequent breaks and intermissions? NHL teams run boring trivia contests, fire t-shirts from a cannon, or give us a bit of eye candy with the Ice Girls. *yawn*

Over in Slovakia, they have a more entertaining solution to in-game stoppages: Pole Dancing! (Don't worry, it's safe for work). During a game in Skalica, they put out this makeshift pole-on-a-puck out onto the ice for a cute chick to dance around with. Quite the show, eh?

Don't you think a few NHL teams could stand to use this awesome marketing technique?

(Big hat-tip to 'Vakfan' for the find)

Think about the last time you attended a hockey match. What happens at the end? You all shuffle out of the arena, maybe listen to the Three Stars selection, and get the hell out of dodge so that you aren't stuck in traffic.

Well, over in Europe, especially in Slovakia, the home crowd and players do the exact opposite, and stick around for awhile to celebrate their team's victory. Conga lines, curtain calls ... it's all part of the ritual, and one reason why attending a European hockey match seems so much more fun than visiting ye olde corporate arena here in North America.

Even so, the video above has to take the cake, and I've never seen a regular season celebration quite like this. Thanks to the New York Times hockey blog for the great find. (Go about 1:20 into the video to see all the fun start)

It was recorded last Friday night in Martin, Slovakia, when perennial minnows MHC Martin beat HC Kosice in the Slovakian Extraliga and reached second place at the start of the two-week December break. After the game highlights, watch the unbelievable send-off the 4,000 fans at the Martin Winter Stadium give their players, and how much fun the players have giving back the love. It may be seven of the most amazing minutes of hockey footage you've ever seen