GIVE US BACK OUR GAME

This lockout -- I'm sure there will be plenty more of them to come over the years -- is fuelled by greed and it won't be solved until both sides can agree to share 50-50 on hockey-related revenue. In other words, I'm not very optimistic about this lockout ending any time soon.

TSN's Bob McKenzie wrote eloquently in his blog: JEOPARDY! THE NHL LABOUR STRIFE EDITION

As always, there were lots of comments on Bob's thoughts about the lockout. I particularly liked this one by penssince91:

NHL Hockey is an escape. When I was a kid I'd get stacks of books from the library on all of the old time legends like Orr, Mikita, Esposito, Dryden, Rocket Richard, Plante, Howe, Sawchuck, etc..and learn about these guys. Books written by Canadians to capture the imagination of Canadian youth of an older generation, yet still performing that same role years later on impressionable young hockey fans-in-the-making such as myself. I began reading on all of the greats when I was 9 or 10 and started collecting hockey cards soon after. I didn't care what their book value was. I was a student of the history of the game. When things weren't always great at home, I'd delve into my collection, match up players, create teams, and go outside and pretend I was a whole team, no matter what the season. Sometimes I could be 2 whole teams. I was east vs west, campbell conference, vs wales conference, Canada vs US..I was Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull, Jagr, Yzerman, Ron Francis, Trottier, Gretzky..I was Al MacInnis firing a bomber (tennis ball) off the side of the shed and I was Tom Barrasso (with the baseball glove still on while shooting)..coming up with the big save. If I was ever having trouble at school, if anyone gave me a hard time..hockey became my escape. It was my way of reaching into other worlds with the knowledge and passion I'd developed for the game. It garnered me new friends and was a wonderful distraction and that's the type of kid out there that I feel sorry for in all of this. The kid who goes home from a tough day at school or who goes home to a rough home life and is in need of a real distraction. And this is something that has played out for generations of Canadian kids.. NHL hockey has become a beacon for kids who rely on it. Its easy to say, 'find something else'..but its not that easy. Give the kids back their sport. Hockey is their friend. NHL players know this very well. End this lockout.



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NHL & NHLPA, you failed

I just want to say that I think it's a huge failure, both on the owner's and the player's part. I am a freelance filmmaker and my income goes up and down constantly. I know the players are trying to make it sound like they aren't greedy, but I think they have just lost perspective. I totally sympathise with teachers and nurses when they go on strike, because they are some of the most unappreciated workers in our country. But these players are making millions. And I know they will give you reasons for their actions. I just don't buy them. Of course the same goes for the owners.  They are acting out of greed as well. I dare you to tell me otherwise.

The fact of the matter is it shouldn't have to come this far. What right do they have to take hockey away from us the fans? It makes me angry that neither the players nor the owners seemed to even try to reach an agreement. Every day all I could read in the news was, "There are no plans for further talks at this point". And, I hate to say it, it makes me care a little less about the NHL. Thanks a lot!

This is what ESPN's Scott Burnside has to say about it. It's a good read.

NHL, NHLPA throwing it all away - Scott Burnside




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Red Wings getting younger

With Tomas Holmstrom, 39, set to retire this summer (there really is no room for him in the Red Wing's roster next season), I am officially and for the first time older than everyone on the Red Wings team. I have seniority over Todd Bertuzzi by eight months. This makes me feel kinda old. However, if it means the Wings are getting younger, I'm fine with that.


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NUMBER 13 TO THE RAFTERS

Great to see the Maple Leafs retire Mats Sundin's jersey tonight. And even though I'm a Red Wings fan, I feel kind of sorry for Toronto that they don't have anyone on their current roster who is even close to him in talent, class, hockey sense and leadership. Then again, who does?
Thanks Mats! I loved watching you play the game, both in the NHL and for Sweden!

SWEDEN WINS GOLD

 No games in the NHL matter today because last night Sweden's juniors pulled off a heroic feat, beating defending champions, Russia, 1-0 in a dramatic OT game!

We have waited 31 years for this and now we are finally world champions again. Mika Zibanejad scored with less than 10 minutes left in OT to give Sweden gold.

Russian goalie, Andrei Makarov, was stunning, making an incredible 57 saves. Ultimately, it wasn't enough. Sweden outshot the Russians 58-17 and one goal was enough to win it.

Congratulations to the players and coach Roger Rönnberg!