The hockey strike that no one noticed

Infotainment by LUKE MORITZ

“They’re on strike?” This is the normal response I receive from my friends and other people when I tell them that the NHL players are on strike. Actually, the players are not even really on strike; the league has locked them out. I usually leave out that part because I do not want make the situation any more confusing than it already is.

As a Canadian living here in Fresno, this is what I have become accustomed to. Not too many people here are interested in hockey, let alone what is happening with the NHL Player’s Assocation lockout.

In fact, this lockout in the NHL has been going on for so long that the league’s commissioner will soon cancel the entire season. If the season is cancelled, it will be the first time in North America that a major sports league has missed an entire season because of a labor dispute. This is a very sad fact for hockey fans, but again, most people in Fresno will not even notice.

If the season is cancelled, the hardest hit will be the newer and small market NHL teams in the warmer climates throughout the United States. The teams in Canada will probably be safe, as almost everyone in Canada is a hockey fan. While a missed season will disappoint the fans north of the border, they will be more than happy to start cheering for their team once the league starts back up.

The teams in the northern United States, such as Minnesota, Detroit, and New York, will also more than likely survive the lockout. Hockey is also ingrained in the culture of these markets to a certain extent.

But take a look at the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Atlanta Thrashers. Taking into account the fact that you probably have not heard of these teams, they are going to have the hardest time recovering when hockey starts up again. Most of these teams are relatively new and are in places where hockey is not a historical factor as it is in other places.

We are lucky here in Fresno, though, even if most people are not hockey fans. We have the Fresno Falcons, and even though they may not be as exciting as watching the San Jose Sharks, or Anaheim Mighty Ducks, they still play ice hockey. So, whether you are Canadian or American, you are able to get your fix of this exciting sport while the NHL is inoperative.

Oh, by the way, when the NHL has its next season and you are looking for a team to cheer on, I highly recommend the Edmonton Oilers. Of course, that is just my opinion.