O! Can-A-Da!

[Occhidiangela]

Just curious, but have you watched NHL hockey this season?  The cancellation of last season, while a slap in the face to fans, might just have been the best thing that could have happened to the game itself.  NHL hockey is incredibly exciting to watch now with all of the rules and systems changes.  Under the old system, it was pretty clear that hockey was dying a slow and painful death.  It really needed a fundamental format and reinstall to fix it.

I was kinda iffy about the new rules when I first heard of them, but now I'm convinced.  NHL hockey is the best I've seen since the Oilers' dynasty in the 80's.

(please Leafs make the playoffs oh god ill shoot myself if you dont make the playoffs i cant stand that Ottawa is doing so well what the hell is wrong with Belfour we should fire Quinn and get another defenseman but oh god the salary cap why do we have so many old players why isnt Domi fighting everything that moves hey that Steen kid is pretty good)
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Deebye

The NHL and its players organization lost me forever last year, after ten years of reading their own newspaper clippings. MLB lost me in 1994, the year I swore I would never, ever, pay for a ticket to a major league baseball game again. I grew up playing baseball, and those sunzabitches have soiled a sport I love dearly. It has only gotten worse since 1994.

I had many chances to see a game in Yankee Stadium in the three years I lived in CT, but I stayed true to my vow. The only concession I will make is for a local team, the Hooks.

MLB has a AA franchise in Corpus Christi. If my daughter gets picked as a finalist to sing the Star Spangled Banner for this season, she auditioned in December, then I'll go see some AA ball by the Hooks. Here, and here only.

I watch the occasional Corpus Christi Ice Rayz games, a AA - minor leage hockey team, due to my loyalty to my next door neighbor. He is a bit of a wheel in the local hockey community.

Some times, a decision is made. Looking back is not an option. NHL doesn't even get my interest on TV, which MLB still does in the playoffs now and again.

Mac and Sammy's HR race, with me coaching my son's little league team in 1998, almost brought me back. Almost. Nothing will bring me back to the NHL. (Might watch some Olympic hockey, might not.) I fell in love with professional hockey during the late 80's, Tom Meese on ESPN: the Oilers and the Flames. Ray Borck and the Bruins. Sorry, the love is gone.

MLB is also in my rear view mirror. In the past two years, I have turned down four different offers for free Astros Tickets. I intend to continue my personal boycott, even if a chance to see Roger pitch again is made available.

The wound is too deep, the scar is too ugly, and my money would be better spent betting on cockfighting.

Occhi