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.
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