Watching the Game: How Media Frames Politics Like a Hockey Match

Reading all the various political news reports this morning, I had a flash of feeling like a spectator to the game of hockey. I think there is a strong analogy that effectively captures the chaotic nature of both politics and professional hockey—especially how perspective changes depending on where you’re watching from. Let me clarify and expand on this for just a moment, and I apologize to anyone who has never witnessed a game of hockey. Perhaps there are some similarities to another sport you enjoy.

So here it goes, at least from my point of view in the bleachers:

Watching American politics today, especially at the federal level, feels a lot like watching a professional hockey game. If you’re in the arena, there’s an overwhelming amount of action happening at once. Players are crashing into the boards, line changes are happening on the fly, coaches are shouting, fans are reacting, and sometimes there’s even a scuffle in the stands. It can be hard to keep your eye on the puck when so many distractions are competing for your attention.

But if you’re watching on TV, your experience is entirely shaped by what the broadcaster decides to show you. Your view is filtered through the camera angles they choose, the replays they highlight, and the commentary they provide. You might not see a key play developing off-screen or catch the subtleties of player movement away from the puck. Your understanding of the game is narrowed by the limits of the broadcast.

In the same way, the American political landscape is full of noise—constant battles, shifting alliances, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. If you’re deeply engaged, you see the complexity, the moving parts, and the calculated strategies. But most people experience politics like they do a televised hockey game: through the lens of media outlets, each with their own selective focus, leaving out critical context and often amplifying the most dramatic moments.

The result? A public that is often reacting to what’s shown rather than what’s actually happening. Just like a fan screaming at the referee over a penalty call they only saw from one angle, political observers often form opinions based on an incomplete picture. And just as a game can be influenced by forces beyond what’s happening on the ice—league politics, team owners, player negotiations—our political system is shaped by deeper institutional forces that aren’t always visible in the daily spectacle.

To truly understand what’s going on, whether in hockey or politics, you have to step back and ask: What am I not seeing?