In the wake of the season's cancellation, rumors are flying. Take your pick:
More likely is that irresponsible reporting has led to plenty of rumors, and the only effect of all these will be to engender new hope in all NHL fans just to see them dashed. Again. While I promise to be at least as excited as anyone the second a new deal gets signed - or at least as excited as anyone that's not financially involved - I hope you'll pardon my renewed cynicism as I continue to prepare for another several months without an NHL.
How can I prepare, you ask? How can any serious hockey fan go on with months of hockeyless desert behind them and months in front of them?
It's not easy. Especially for those fans stuck outside of traditional hockey markets (read: Canada and the northeastern US). But there's still hockey to watch, and the longer this lockout goes on, the more people find it. Despite a virtual media blackout in most US markets, in this world of satellite dishes and sports packages, a determined hockey hunter can get a fix several times weekly. And it's a different game than the product the NHL has put on the ice for the last few years. I highly recommend it.
DirecTV offers a Sports Pack that gives subscribers access to several channels that show the occasional hockey game. Even the occasional minor league game is available. Most NCAA games are shown on Fridays and Saturdays, but every once in a while a weekday game pops up. In an interesting schedule twist, it's very common to see a home-and-home weekend series between conference rivals. How much more exciting can you get?
Without further ado, here are the hockey games available this weekend to a DirecTV customer. All times are CST:
Friday, 2/18 NCAA, Boston University @ Massachusetts, 6 PM: NESN (623) NCAA, Ohio State @ Michigan State, 6:30 PM: Fox Sports Detroit (636) NCAA, Michigan @ Notre Dame, 7 PM: CSTV (610) NCAA, Denver @ Minnesota-Duluth, 8:30: Fox Sports North (641)
Saturday, 2/19 NCAA, Massachusetts @ Boston University, 6 PM: NESN (623) NCAA, Notre Dame @ Michigan, 6:30: Fox Sports Detroit (636) NCAA, Denver @ Minnesota-Duluth, 8:00: Fox Sports North (641)
Sunday, 2/20 AHL, Norfolk @ Hartford, 3 PM: Comcast Chicago (640)
So forget the swirling rumors about the NHL. Forget the NHL entirely. It might be back in September. Until then, enjoy what hockey you can. I will.