I miss hockey.

As a fan of the game, those words are heart wrenching. I don't expect those who don't understand the majestic game to understand how much I miss hockey. But I do miss it so much. (Thank God I have more important things to concern myself about.)

Sure, there have been minor league games. I don't think I watched a single one. Shame on me. It's not like they weren't available. Well, on TV, they weren't; but there is a minor league team in Sioux Falls that I could have gone to watch.

Sure, there have also been college games. I watched what I could. And I enjoyed what I watched. The college game seems to be more about pure sport—even in hockey—than the pro level.

But I still miss the pro games!

There something about the finesse and skill of the pro skaters that the college players—even the minor league players—are missing. I miss watching that. I miss hearing the excitement in the announcers voices as a players goes end to end to score.

And what do I miss more than anything right now? The playoffs! NHL playoff hockey is the best. The NHL playoffs are the best sports playoffs of any sport. Sure, the NHL may be a distant fourth major sport, but nothing can compare the the NHL playoff formula. It's pure adrenaline

But, all of this has been taken away from me and my fellow hockey fans by some greedy and childish players and owners...specifically, a greedy and childish NHLPA representative and a greedy and childish NHL Commissioner—rat face.

And, like most hockey fans, I tire of watching the news for the latest about the CBA negotiations. I just want to know when it's over. So, I echo what Terry Frei writes:

Just an idea for the negotiators: How about just sending up white smoke when an agreement is reached and announcing "Habemus Hockey''? An optional next step could be to have German-born Marco Sturm step out on the balcony a few seconds later. Until then, nothing much will interest us, certainly not the post-meeting statements and descriptions of Bettman's ill-fitting caps and Bob Goodenow's abacus.

"Habemus Hockey." That's classic!