Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?

Subject: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:06 PM

Okay, I know this isn't a true obituary, but maybe it is for this national sport, at least as we know it at the professional level. I also know that few folks outside of Canada (or Canadians) are interested, so please bear with me, or skip to the next thread.

For two years, the players and owners have been arguing back and forth over a new binding agreement for wages, bonuses, job security, etc. The most recent contract expired this past spring/summer, and since then the owners have locked out the players... now, on the eve of cancelling the entire season, the players' union has gone back and said, "Okay owners, you can get what you want (sorta)." But, the owners rejected that offer, wanting a little more....

that being said... does anyone care? as far as hockey fans like myself, I mean...

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:11 PM

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=78078&messages=15

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:12 PM

me, I don't give a puck.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 04:42 PM

oops, missed that one gnu... ah well...

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 05:04 PM

Hey... nobody cared, or it would have stayed on the board long enough for you to notice it.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:07 PM

I'll take option three.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:20 PM

Well, tonight, as a good old Canadian boy, I don't give a crap about hokey (spg intended) because I have the next best thing (besides another violent sport) and that's man's best friend !!! Yes, the annual grand daddy of all non-sports shows... the Westminster Dog Show starts on TSN in less than an hour. Dogs. Dogs. Dogs. Big dogs. Small dogs. Even poofy little dogs... which us big, tough, macho men of the north like to laugh at... and pet cause they're soooo cute.... ahem !!! Go Irish Wolfhound !!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:33 PM

Hooray. Won't have to suffer thru yet another season of watching then under-achieving Caps team...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 06:46 PM

I used to care. 20 years ago. Now I don't give a flying flip one way or the other.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Padre
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 08:12 PM

When they took to putting hockey teams South of the Mason-Dixon Line, I lost interest.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 08:22 PM

The best hockey in the world happens on dead end streets, frozen ponds and back-yard rinks...
*singing*
"This is our arrreeena, no referrrrrrrreeeeee!"
(spot the quote and the flaw)

The rest of it can die a horrible death for all I care...

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 08:43 PM

Got that right, Clinton.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Gern
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 08:47 PM

On the bright side, we Tampa fans get to keep the Stanley Cup for another year. Maybe for many more, sadly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:01 PM

That comes from the one where the wolf steald the puck, CH.

Yep, all possibilty of a seaon this year is long past, though I thought that long befor Xmas. And I'm not bother either. The NHL is not what it was in the old days (boy do I sound like an old fart).

Dumb business decision by all parties involved, IMO. People just might find out they can live without it. Then who would they get to pay the outrageous ticket prices for these games?

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:03 PM

What the f__k is going on with my typing these days?

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Teresa
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:07 PM

Love the game, hate the big League. Wish I could watch European hockey or more local games.

Teresa

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 09:09 PM

Why oh why must Olympic hockey only come around every 4 years?

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 11:38 PM

"That comes from the one where the wolf steald the puck, CH"

Yup...

And the flaw??

:-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Mooh
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 11:57 PM

I miss the Leafs.

Sure the NHL is in a rut. Both sides are deluded, but I won't vacate my faith in hockey just because the system is fucked up. This too shall pass, and someday the NHL will rise again, hopefully with fewer teams, no red line, larger rinks, and less advertising. (I can dream, can't I?)

In the meantime, lacross, junior hockey (London Knights are hot, eh), and women's hockey don't get enough airplay.

Go Leafs Go!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 01:14 AM

The flaw?

The kids don't play on dead-end streets. They prefer to duck traffic and pause play to move the nets, in lieu of commercial breaks.

CAAAAAR!

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 01:17 AM

No... the flaw in the commercial...

NO group of self respecting Canadians is gonna hike that far back into the bush to play shinny, and only bring Coors Lite...

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 01:21 AM

Oh yeah. THAT one. It's been a while since I've seen that commercial; I forgot which brand it was. I remember saying that at the time though, or something like it....
maybe "Only teenage boys and chicks drink Coors Light."

Also, it's kind of funny that it was supposed to be a pro-Canada type commercial, kind of a response to Molson's "I am Canadian" rant, yet it was advertising an American import beer.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 09:02 AM

I haven't seen kids hockey or the high schools or the colleges or the Olympics affected.

I feel about this like I feel about all professional sports -- they're getting paid to do a job. Nobody watches me (although I would like cheerleaders!) and I don't watch them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 12:46 PM

CBC Sports in Canada made a big mistake by cancelling their annual Hockey Day in Canada broadcast... this was to be 3 NHL games broadcast this Saturday, with clips taken from local hockey rinks across the country. TSN (similar to ESPN in the States) took up the reins immediately, saying that the day was about celebrating the game itself, not the pro league.

We should celebrate our national game on a community level, supporting our minor hockey teams along with the junior and semi-pro levels as well.

Keep yer stick on the ice!
Brian

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 01:34 PM

Well, it is now official. NHL shall not be played this year... now it IS an obituary column instead of just being a game on life-support...

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Mooh
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 02:31 PM

Bastards, one and all. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Áine
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 02:44 PM

I'm with you, Mooh. I can't say that I favor either side in this issue. I love hockey -- even though it's south of the Mason-Dixon line down here, Padre -- and I can't even make my 'hockey night supper' (red hot chili with fresh, hot corn tortillas on the side) without crying anymore!

Damn you, Lockout!!!

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make my Stars t-shirts last one more year . . . sniff, sniff ;( But, on the up side, my Guinness drinking has been cut to nearly nil, and I've lost 25 pounds. ;-)

Here's to this October and a resolution to the 'no puck' problem.

All the best, Áine

(P.S. Hey Padre, the Chicago Blackhawks had a farm team in Dallas 30 years ago -- we've been on the ice down south for some time, darlin')

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 03:04 PM

You can still catch some minor league stuff that's excellent with the right channels. And there are foreign and international leagues as well. For all the fun on ice, except the fighting, curling season is on! For those who missed it, the Canadian women's juniors in Fredericton were a blast! New Brunswick took it in a nail biter. I have NEVER seen that calibre of curling in a junior women's tournament. These gals, and I mean ALL the teams, were fantastic. Usually, it's a game of mistakes, but these were games of calling and making great shots. Comin right up - the Scott Tournament of Hearts. I have a sizeable wager on Colleen Jones and I dare say she may take the Worlds' again as well. As long as her back holds out. Just punch up curling at rogers.com and enjoy.

And don't forget the Westminster again tonight at 20:00h AST on TSN for you Canucks. Best in show ? Go Josh!

And B-Ball ? And LaCrosse? And Rugby? And the English Premiership? And... fuck the NHL. Greedy bastards.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Mooh
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 04:55 PM

And what bites is they wouldn't let a bunch of local yokels play shinny for the cup. I was so sure I could taste it. Damn.

Sigh, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 05:04 PM

I know I'm just dreaming here... but I wouldn't care if the NHL went away and NEVER came back... and if it took the rest of so called 'pro-sports' with it...

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 05:07 PM

Top news story on the ATV (Halifax) 5PM news. And Steve started it by saying, and I am NOT making this up, "Good evening, the Leafs will not win the cup again this year..." I almost s*** myself. I can barely type with the laughter. How typically Canuck!

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 05:21 PM

Ha! Like there was a hope in hell for the Toronto Make-Me-Laffs anyway.

I'm with Clinton on this one. I don't care if the NHL ever comes back now. Not that I want the sport to go away... just the greed and big money that has f__ked it up.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 05:41 PM

As long as there's shinny to be played and orange balls to be purchased at Canadian Tire, the sport will NEVER go away!

LOL

Did ya catch the bit about hockey pucks on Daily Planet yesterday? One company makes 3 million a year... Stacked one-on-top-of-the-other, that's 137 times the height of the CN Tower... and they have NO idea where they all go....

One likes to hope they can be recycled

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 05:51 PM

I know where about half of them go. I find them when the snow melts on the boulevard.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 05:59 PM

I like to save `em up, and when I go to a local Greyhounds' game, I toss one over the boards into play during a scuffle. Lotsa fun!

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 16 Feb 05 - 06:03 PM

LOL!

Shit-disturber!

:-)

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 01:46 AM

They won't let me in at the "Gardens" anymore.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 11:35 AM

well, keeping in mind the shinny type of hockey, the world Pond Hockey championships are being held this weekend, starting today in the tiny community of Renous, New Brunswick, Canada. here's some info on it...

From the Globe and Mail...

Brian

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 06:01 AM

Talks are back on. It's worse than a bunch of kids arguing over the score in a street hockey game. Wouldn't it be a topper if a fight broke out?

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 07:47 AM

To be fair, I'm suprised that a fight hasn't broke out with the amoutn of fights that happen on ice, I would maybe of kind of expected some off ice fights. Maybe I'm just hoping too much. :0)


I'm British and I play ice hockey and I love it to bits. Although I am missing staying up till 4am one or two nights a week to watch NHL matches, I'm very lucky in the fact that I can watch the EIHL in the UK which is the elite league, of which my heros, the Steelers play. And they rock big time.

And no, before you brits get on your high horse I aint a glory supporter. I've supported them ever since I was old enough to realise that the UK had ice hockey, and I held a season ticket for two years. We used to finish our training and then run over the road to the arena for the steelers matches.

I have to say, the fights between the steelers and manchester pheonix have been much better than any fight I've witnessed in the NHL

So we haven't got the NHL this year, so what, yeah I miss it, but maybe now other countries who play will get a little more recognission and even college and little league over in canada and the US, which would be nice.

Kitch #35, sheffield shadows

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 07:26 AM

Off again. But, both Wayne and Mario said they hope the talks will continue. Can you say "endorsements"?

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Mooh
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 09:52 AM

They were only talking about next season, weren't they? Both sides are greedy, stupid, deluded, out of touch with the fans, and don't have a clue about negotiation.

I still have the romantized idea that the players get together before a game to decide who pretends to be Keon, or Howe, and which team has to take whoever's little brother, like in road hockey or pond hockey...much more righteous forms of the art.

Last night I was alone, no family around, no gig, not in a social mood, so after Rosie the wonder dog got her walk, I DESERVE MY HOCKEY GAME! In a life with fewer and fewer luxuries, I WANT MY HOCKEY!

Sorry, I'm still grieving.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Donuel
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 09:56 AM

Some people do care. For example octopus sales in the US are way down.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Cluin
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 06:20 PM

That's okay... there's still the f__kin' NASCAR out there.

Watched about 60 laps of the Daytona today. Then I felt the hair on the back of my head trying to grow really fast, so I turned off the TV.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Teresa
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 06:25 PM

Does anyone know if there is Internet radio broadcast of European teams?

Teresa

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 09:25 PM

HOLY SHIT !! I don't believe I heard that - on the CBC National News. "If the talks do not resolve the issue by October, about five hundred players will seek to play in their native countries, and there may be a move towards a WORLD HOCKEY LEAGUE!!!" It will be "previewed" by the upcoming world tournament, in which, Canada, and other countries, will be able to field a team of it's best players, who will not be held back by their NHL commitments. HOLY SHIT !! A real world hockey league! Globalization? Or Rogersization? Anyway, I like it. I may even watch hockey again, before the playoffs.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 09:22 AM

Excellent!!! Does this mean that we may get to see ice hockey being played at a reasonable hour in the day in the UK rather than on channel five at 2am?

I think it would be a good idea to have a world hockey league as it means that the sport will get more coverage, but I'd still like to see the NHL being played.

Jez xx

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 09:48 AM

It appears that the NHL may be playing us. If they really are going global, I suppose there may be a lot of money involved.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 12:54 PM

I think I agree with you Gnu. I think there's a lot more to it that meets the eye.

We'll just have to wait and see.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: gnu
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 01:17 PM

I know one thing. If the CBC continues "Coaches Corner" in an international market, there's gonna be an international incident or three. I can hear it now, "That's not what I said! I said.... I said.... what they said I said was not what I said...", said infinitum.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Kim C
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 01:31 PM

What's hockey?

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: ToulouseCruise
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 02:27 PM

Oooh Kim... dem's fightin' words... strap on a pair of skates, and meet me out on the pond!

Brian

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 10:10 AM

I used to be a huge fan but I gave up on it years ago; too many teams, too many teams in the playoffs, season is too long, too much dump and chase adn FAR too many players who should not be playing at that level. Just not fun anymore..a great game ruined by greed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 10:26 AM

Mooh,

I'm with you on the no Redline and bigger rinks. What a treat it was to watch the Olympics. No Neutral Zone traps. However, the owners would have to remove three or four rows of seats to make the rinks bigger, and they are not going to do that. They care more about the almighty dollar than the game.

Man, I hope that Bettman loses his job over this. He has no business being in hockey, doesn't know the game, doesn't care about the game.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: Mooh
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 11:23 AM

I hope they award the Stanley Cup to some pro women's team which we aren't allowed to watch on TV. Mooh.

Subject: RE: Obit: Hockey On? Off? Who cares?
From: JeZeBeL
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 11:48 AM

YEAH!!!!

They should award it to GB Women's!!!!!