I'm trying to be a good canadian

[Liquid Charlie]

To put it simply -- I failed - I have tried very hard and have even resorted to muting the sound but I still can't sit through an NHL hockey game - to put it in simple terms the game today sucks - the announcers - well that's just like finger nails on a black board - I even went to a game and came away from that thinking WTF -- and what's with the beards - that's worn thin -- nope -- I hang my head in shame for being such a "bad" canadian

[ArcticKat]

You're not alone. What perplexes me is why did you put yourself through the misery of even trying?

I grew up in a town where you either played hockey or drank, if you did both you were the town hero, if you did neither you were social pariah. For the first few years of my teenage life I tried to be a hero, but then I realized what the future really had in store for me should I continue down this path. A few years after that a friend who had moved on to the WHL ended up in rehab for his drug problem and returned home after being kicked out of the league. Everyone in town kept asking him, "So, when you going back to play?" or "Have the NHL scouts been sniffing around?" or other such crap. He had a great future, but no one would touch him after the drug problem came out....I ended up scraping his brains off the ceiling of his parents' home because he couldn't take it anymore.

That's what really turned me off of hockey, the rabid pitbull attitude my community has toward the sport.

[TopperHarley]

Dont feel bad, if Boston is in the finals, Ill be cheering for them over Vancouver.

[Changes in Latitudes]

To put it simply -- I failed - I have tried very hard and have even resorted to muting the sound but I still can't sit through an NHL hockey game - to put it in simple terms the game today sucks - the announcers - well that's just like finger nails on a black board - I even went to a game and came away from that thinking WTF -- and what's with the beards - that's worn thin -- nope -- I hang my head in shame for being such a "bad" canadian

I am pretty glad you've posted this. I have been enduring the same shameful feelings as of late and couldn't put my finger on it. Am I getting old? Am I out of touch? I played hockey for 14 years straight through to Junior, it shouldn't be so difficult to watch. Hockey was once LIFE, yet, I sit and read your post, it all made sense, I can't argue with any of that. The game is deteriorating.

[iflyforpie]

Junior leagues is where it is at.

Remember when the NHLPA had its little spat a few years ago, and all of us 'mainstream' hockey watchers discovered the IIHF World Juniors? Man, that was hockey!

My wife and I when we lived in Kelowna used to take in Rockets games. $16 a ticket, first come first serve seating, and some of the best hockey I've ever seen. Each player at their absolute peak, playing like there is an NHL scout in the stands; plus all the local rivalries thrown in too.

The NHL is filled with a bunch of overpaid brutes who don't need to try because they've got it made.

Don Cherry and Pierre McGuire need to go away........ far away.........

[Liquid Charlie]

Junior leagues is where it is at.

Indeed it is --

[bandaid]

Being a western Canadian and pretty much giving up on hockey it may surprise you the reasons why. The number one reason or more appropriately, the icing on the cake was the last round of negotiations. The owners and players both crying poverty while arriving at the meetings in limos and personal cars that we only dream of owning. But what started my dis-enchantment with the NHL was the Eastern Canadian leaning announcers or play by play commentators that figured that Canadian hockey teams ended west of Toronto. I couldn't stand that little weasle Howey Meeker. Anyhow, I wish the Canuckleheads well in the Stanley cup, just don't expect any support from CBC announcers even during your run.

[Moose47]

Just for you buddy!

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/videoce ... e?id=39612

[. ._]

I heard something about the Vancouver Canucks going to the Stanley Cup on CBC radio.

Other than that, I have no idea what's going on with hockey and I care about it as little as I care about who wins American Idol or Survivor. (I'm assuming those shows are still on TV. I have no idea.)