cc is right. And all the things you mentioned abou being harder than it looks is dead on. yopu knowledge as a fan will also increase exponentially the more you do it.

I often visit hockey mesaage boards, a game I've played for 30years... and it's very easy for someone to be an educated fan, but until you've actually DONE it, you can't possible know the subtleties of the sport. My favorite line ot those guys who think they know everything is, "I'll be you've never even HELD a hockey stick." Shuts 'em right up.