What the puck? – People don’t forget

That ass. /image: flickr.com

A look back at last year’s hockey temper tantrum

Article: Autumn McDowell – Sports Editor

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—hockey season.

With the first puck having officially been dropped two days ago, even though the first portion of the season essentially means nothing, many fans—and all true Canadians—are acting like children anxiously waiting for Santa Claus to come down the chimney, in preparation for the real action.

But as the first whistle blew, fans were reminded of how the Grinch stole hockey season last year.

Merely one year ago, hockey fans were irate as they watched the temper tantrum take place between two groups of greedy pigs. While the fans suffered without being able to hear the buzzer sound, or catch a whiff of the notorious stench of hockey gear, millionaires vs. billionaires took center stage.

While ultimately a 48-game season was resurrected from the wreckage of this playground scrap, the third lockout in 18 years—all, which took place under the scum between my toes, Gary Bettman—left fans with a sour taste in their mouths, and this time it wasn’t from those delicious rink hotdogs.

If last season taught fans anything, it is that we are merely ponzies in a giant scheme. Even though we are an integral part to having a successful league, no one cares about our thoughts, much less our feelings.

These primadonnas at the top could care less about the ever-increasing ticket prices, much less the sky rocketing cost of alcohol at every game. Instead of getting to go to a game as a child, giddy with excitement to see your hero play live, fans have to wait until they are middle-aged to be able to afford one standalone ticket – though still exciting, it just isn’t the same, and everyone knows it’s the little kids that get rewarded with game-worn gloves and sticks, not the 40-year-olds.

But, none of this matters; all that matters is that the rich get richer.
Besides the obvious cash grab that was glorified during the lockout, time away from hockey also taught us that a 48-game season is much more exciting that the typical 82-game season as every match up actually means something.

But, with a new season looming, fans are expected to forget about the past and concentrate on the future. Focus on a time where slashing your opponent like a little girl, hurling her princess wand at her older brother to escape a fight, is only worth a pre-season suspension.

Focus on a time where players make the news for owing six hundred and twenty five dollars in overdue parking tickets, despite the fact that they will make fourteen million dollars this season.

A time where the city of champions is always in last place and where the Maple Leafs earn more wins than nearly half the league.

Hockey season is still one of my favourite times of the year, but last year was definitely hard on our relationship. I’ll get over it, but it will take some major ass kissing.