Slap Shot (1977)

In the heart of America's Rust Belt, Charlestown serves as the backdrop for the tale of the downtrodden Chiefs, a Federal League hockey team teetering on the brink of extinction. Their games, marked by empty seats and echoing silence, are a testament to their losing streak. The team's manager, Joe McGrath, is forced into a relentless cycle of cheesy publicity stunts by the enigmatic owner, much to the players' distaste. As the local mill, the town's lifeblood, faces closure, so does the fate of the Chiefs, transforming their locker room into a hotbed of whispered fears. Reggie Dunlop, the team's old-timer player/coach, grapples with the grim reality of the situation, all while trying to mend fences with his estranged wife, Francine. With the mill's closure imminent and the team's dissolution looming, Reggie plunges headfirst into a desperate bid to resurrect the team's image. He masterfully spins a rumor about a potential sale to a city in the sunny climes of Florida, a strategy as audacious as the man himself. Reggie's secret weapon, however, emerges in the form of the Hanson brothers, a trio of unconventional players whose brutish, "goon" style of play is as controversial as it is effective. As the Chiefs' games begin to transform into spectacles of wild, unchecked aggression, the team finds an unexpected resurgence, attracting hordes of new fans, selling out games and churning the rumor mill with whispers of a sale. However, not everyone on the team is onboard with this new direction. Ned Braden, a college-educated player driven by a pure love for the game, balks at the team's transformation into violent entertainers. His wife, Lily, a staunch critic of Charlestown and the hockey lifestyle, only fuels his resistance. But when Reggie uncovers the true intentions of the team's mysterious owner, all their hopes and dreams hang in the balance. It's up to Ned, armed with his unique perspective on the essence of hockey, to chart an unexpected course towards their shared goals. The Charlestown Chiefs' fight for survival is a high-stakes game of courage, deception and love for the sport. Will they triumph against their fierce opponents, the Syracuse Bulldogs, in the decisive championship game? Or will the team's colorful journey end in heartbreak? Dive into the exhilarating world of 'Slap Shot' to find out.

Slap Shot is a comedy movie featuring Paul Newman and directed by George Roy Hill.

It is possible to buy Slap Shot on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube or rent it on Spectrum On Demand.