I am an hour removed from the press conference that announced the final nail in the coffin for the 2004-05 NHL schedule. To say I'm heartbroken is an understatement. But I am not at all surprised. I had joined onto the bandwaggon of those who were certain it would be lost a long, long time ago.
I had the idea for an editorial cartoon this morning. It consists of a two cars speeding towards each other in a game of chicken, one representing the owners and the other representing the players. Neither budges from their course, all the while picking up speed. Just as they are about to collide, a truck called "Fan Support" crosses the intersection, and is slammed by both sides, leaving nothing but paramedic called "Arbitration" to say "I don't think any of them will pull through."
If someone draws that and wins a Hearst award, I'll be pissed.
So much for hockey. I missed going home every other weekend or so to catch a game. Win or lose, the Nashville Predators always brought the entertainment value. My jersey is sitting in the back of Samantha's car, and will likely stay there for at least another six months. Lord Stanley will get to hold onto his cup for a little while longer, because there won't be a team to hoist it this year.
There's a saying in football that the day after the championship, everyone goes back to being undefeated. Truth be told, today, we are all defeated.