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pandora
Honorable
Legendary Hero
The Chosen One
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posted February 12, 2005 09:16 PM |
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NHL:: Who cares?
I think most people that know me here know that I'm a bit of a hockey fanatic.. but I've realized that is lockout has gotten to me much more than I had expected.
Reading tsn.ca every day, several times a day has gotten to feel like some morbid sort of deathwatch. It's like the NHL season is a sick, smelly old dog and I check in every once in a while to see if its dead yet. Actually, its more than that - I'm now hoping someone takes in a rifle and puts a bullet thru its head.
It amazes me that I've come to this thinking. before the lockout started, I was praying to hockey gods daily that they might find a resolution and stop the lockout before it starts.
Then during it, I have been grasping at every teeny tiny little sliver of hope the've tossed at us. Wishing to see the lockout end soon and without any serious harm to the game. I was so worried about some of my favorite players that are getting up there in years, thinking they could miss their last chance at a full productive season.
Now I'm about ready to pay their one-way airfare and send em all* to Europe.
The players** at this point pretty much disgust me. For one, its clear that they don't care a shred about the game. They're not playing for the love of the game, they're playing for the love of the dollar. They could care less that the NHL on it's present course completely implodes in a few short years. they just wanna get all they can while they can, and to hell with the future of the game.
These guys were supposed to be our heroes, how can we respect them anymore? They sure have proved they could care less about us. The average hockey fan can't even go to games anymore because the seat prices are so high only the rich can partake. Seems rather stupid to shut out their major support base - but whatever, we'll watch em on TV anyways. Some of us can only watch on TV because the current system caused our team to be sold to Phoenix....but who cares about that, the players don't need the fans right?
And then... every once in a while a player steps up and says something to make us think that maybe... juuuust maybe, there are a few players that care about the game left. But what happens within teh next 24 hours? So far as I can surmise, Bob Goodenow goes to their homes, ties up their wives and puts a gun to their head , threating to pull the trigger if they do not retract their statement as soon as possible. I mean it has to be that, because i can't have been wrong in thinking that to play hockey one must have a spine. *ugh* how do we look up to these guys? (this excludes Jeremy Roenick, he actually didn't recant! - I feel kinda sad for his wife  )
Then we have the league and their recent 'proposal' with all their triggers... WTF was that? would it not have been easier to say "we've decided that we win, so we're not gonna bother anymore" Why insult the intellegence of everyone who's still paying attention by pretending that proposal meant something?
I'm so sad about all of this. Every year we host a NHL hockey draft, we have buddies that come by faithfully every year - and that's the only time we see em. But its a tradition.. along with "Hockey Night in Canada" that we can kiss goodbye cuz the game, and its fans just don't matter anymore.
It's such a disappointment to lose your heroes
I sure hope the declare a Labour Impasse soon, I'd love to see who crosses over , maybe there's still a few left I can cheer for.
* by "all" I don't mean Mario, he's completely exempt from every negative comment I have about Hockey players.
** again, not Mario!
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"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
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Shiva
Promising
Famous Hero
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posted February 12, 2005 09:23 PM |
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yeah, Bettman and Goodenow killed the game..the dollar wins
and the fans lose.
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sirzapdos
Promising
Famous Hero
Open the pod bay doors, Hal.
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posted February 16, 2005 03:39 AM |
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Tomorrow at 1:00 pm EST is zero hour.
Quick poll: Season or no season?
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So I try to live a complicated world...
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Marelt_Ekiran
Promising
Famous Hero
Watcher of All
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posted February 16, 2005 05:20 AM |
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Please let it die...
Honestly, it's not like hockey fans have to do without hockey now. Junior and amateur teams are filling the void just fine. And for people who don't like hockey (such as me), it's a relieve that people finally start paying attention to other things than the bloody hockey season.
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Perception is everything.
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tigerangelz
Known Hero
Angelic Tigress
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posted February 16, 2005 12:05 PM |
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I really missed watching it this season.
Hopefully things will be straightned out & agreed upon in time for next season.
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Gaia Forums
Guardians Grove
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BoogieMan
Famous Hero
The John of Spades
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posted February 16, 2005 12:20 PM |
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Quote:
Please let it die...
Honestly, it's not like hockey fans have to do without hockey now. Junior and amateur teams are filling the void just fine. And for people who don't like hockey (such as me), it's a relieve that people finally start paying attention to other things than the bloody hockey season.
Bah, Marelt's just pissed off because Calgary didn't win the Stanley Cup last season.
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The BoogieMan wrote ... and saw that it was good.
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Conan
Responsible
Supreme Hero
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posted February 16, 2005 04:33 PM |
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Well,
I'm happy the league is not giving in to the players. Making so much money and crying because you'll be less millionaire does not make sense to me.
It truely shows that they don't care about they're fans. They make things worse by whining like babies. Who do you think you are playing a sport for life and getting paid millions while doctors in Canada have a salary cap? What the **** is wrong with this world?
It's only time they realize it.
I used to love watching hockey. And I really missed it this year. But I'm happy the league had the balls to do what they did. I support the league entirely. Know I like hockey even less because it shows the true nature of the players (never were heros in my mind, since you can be a hero by playing a sport!!). Money is the only motivator for these puppies, far from what I consider a hero.
Anyways, this thread should be in the Tavern. I think it's a great discussion and we should not loose it once hockey resumes.
For the poll: I say it's a no-season.
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pandora
Honorable
Legendary Hero
The Chosen One
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posted February 16, 2005 05:07 PM |
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I think there pretty much has to be a season now, I mean, if they come this close and don't do it the damage will be too much to come back from.
As for hockey players not being heroes, I have to object. You're a Canadian - how many times have you seen kids playing hockey in the street yelling "I'm Wayne Gretzky!!" as they join in the action? A lot of these men have made also made major contributions to different charities, and have set up their own to give back to the community. A "hero" can be a different thing to different people, they don't neccesarily have to make the world a better place, but if they inspire you to make yourself a better person - then that's hero enough for me. 
And then there is Mario
Mario Lemieux isn't just my hero because he is the most purely talented hockey player to ever grace the ice. He is also a hero to me because he exemplifies what it means to follow your heart and not give up on yourself, or what you believe in.
There have been times in his career where the man couldn't bend over to lace his own skates, or reach above his head to place his own carry-on in the overhead compartment on the airplane. His back pain was so severe that at times he had trouble even walking around - and yet he would play, he'd get a teammate to lace his skates and hit the ice - and he would play the finest hockey you'd ever see in your life.
In the 92-93 season he was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease, played only 60 games and won the scoring title with 160 points. If that's not impressive enough, lets add that he took his last treatment in the morning, and then went on to play that night and get a goal and an assist! Still not enough? That season after his return he led his team to a 17 game winning streak - and that record still stands!
Hockey aside, this led him to create the Mario Lemieux foundation that makes millions for Cancer research, he also hosts an charity golf tournament to raise money. The foundation also serves to do research on neo-natal care after one of his children was born prematurely.
So basically what he has done is try to help keep these things that threatened him and his family from threatening other families. He has used his good fortune to raise awareness and valuable dollars for great causes.
Then, the Penguins who owed him millions were in very real danger of dying - and what did Mario do? Well he became an owner and saved the team !
He retired for a while(yes I cried ), and when he did return he said the reason was that he wanted his son to see him play
How is that not a hero? When my son wants to give up on something because it's "too hard" he gets the Mario Lemieux story hehe
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"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
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Aculias
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Pretty Boy Angel Sacraficer
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posted February 16, 2005 05:15 PM |
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Just play Super Mario & tell him thats didicated to Mario Lemiuex  .
Other hand it seems nowadays in sports, the money is what they care about more then the sport.
Why do you think we have players moving to a moreexpensive franchise.
Cause the salary more.
They dont make only 39 mill & not 40 they go on strike
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Dreaming of a Better World
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Conan
Responsible
Supreme Hero
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posted February 16, 2005 05:18 PM |
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you are right, Pandora
Yes, Mario and Wayne are heroes.
BUT
Not all hockey players are.
In fact, there are more players that are not heroes that some that are.
Like in anything, there are heroes everywhere: baseball, football, politics, etc. But again, most of them are not heroes.
Your arguments about Mario are very real, and I agree with you. I would even say Jacques Plante, Maurice Richard and Patrick Roy are heroes. And there are probalby more. But beeing good at a sport does not make you a hero. Like you said, you have to do more. And the former Capitain of the Ottawa Senators, Alexi Yashin did more; only to save on his taxes. He gave to the NAC (National Arts Center) some money to save taxes and then he took it back once he found out he would loose money. Very sad and far from a hero.
And I have a hard time with good Canadian players going to the States for more money. That in my mind is not the attributes of a Hero.
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pandora
Honorable
Legendary Hero
The Chosen One
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posted February 16, 2005 05:27 PM |
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I have to disagree about Yashin - he made the donation with the condition that his family would oversee a Russian exhibit did he not? Then the museum did not give his parents the job as promised and that's why he pulled out.
I agree with you too, that there are more heroes than just Mario - (especially gretzky, love him too  )
I guess where we're different though, is that I think that you have a definition of a "hero" that is fairly rigid. To me its a relative thing, like maybe some kid just idolizes a player who was never more than a grinder - but the player came from his home town. So this kid believed that someone from his town could make it, and he worked hard every day to be like his 'hero'. By most people's definitions that isn't a "Hero" but for that one kid - it sure is, and you can't take that away
Do you see my point? I'm not talking so much about these guys as if they are noble warriors whose honour surpasses all others - I'm just saying that as being in the public eye they have become role models and heroes for different people for different reasons, and by showing those people that its about the money they are hurting their fans.
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"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
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Conan
Responsible
Supreme Hero
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posted February 16, 2005 06:18 PM |
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yes, my definition of Hero is very rigid. Courage is a big part of it, and also being noble.
For me, if Yashin gives money to the NAC just so his family can have a job, that's not too shabby. A hero would of done it for the good of the community.
When you say that someone from a small town made it - this is largely due to the fact that the hockey player is gifted in skating around with a puck. Gifted in a game. A hero will do more that use his gift to it's full potential. The kids look up to them because of the importance of the game, not the importance of the player.
The fact is that for me, a hero would be a hero even if there was no hockey. He is a hero in all circumstances. His thoughts are noble and even if he is not recognized as a hero, he still is.
You made sense when you said that my definition is rigid. It truely is. However, I do understand what you see in a hero. I guess I agree to disagree on this definition, since it's not that important anyways!
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pandora
Honorable
Legendary Hero
The Chosen One
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posted February 16, 2005 07:10 PM |
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I agree with your definitions as well, I just don't see them as the only ones
Sadly however, Heroes or not - they won't be playing any hockey this year. Bettman just cancelled the season.
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"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
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Conan
Responsible
Supreme Hero
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posted February 16, 2005 07:18 PM |
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Yup, just saw that... told you!
I knew it. I mean, it's not fair, they'll only be millionaires if they sign the deal. 
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pandora
Honorable
Legendary Hero
The Chosen One
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posted February 16, 2005 07:32 PM |
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True true, but then again we have players like Mike Modano that need more than 400$ USD weekly to feed their dogs....
We should sympathize with those guys, I mean if not for them - let's think of their pets! Those poor animals should continue to enjoy the posh lifestyle they are used to!!
So what do you think comes next - will they declare an Impasse - or will they be able to come up with a new CBA in time to start next season?
If they declare an Impasse, would it be wrong for me to admit i think the idea of a new draft is AWESOME?! hehe
What fun that could be
Ohh and btw - this means Mario might play for Canada at the IIHF world championship this spring hehe
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"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
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Conan
Responsible
Supreme Hero
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posted February 16, 2005 07:48 PM |
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They came close to an agreement, so I think they will find common ground in time for next season.
Although I'm not sure I look forward to watching hockey anymore...
This is all really unfortunate. It makes me think of the Tavern Feedback thread!!
With your last post, you should be a mediator at the table for the hockey problems!!!
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sirzapdos
Promising
Famous Hero
Open the pod bay doors, Hal.
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posted February 16, 2005 11:43 PM |
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About Yashin, another reason he became such a heel in Ottawa was not just the NAC fiasco, but the fact that he sat out an entire season to try and get more money.
As for the season being cancelled, I'm disappointed. Why did it take 151 days before Gary and Bob started making real progress?
Hockey is the least popular "Big 4" professional sport in North America, and with this travesty today, it looks like it will stay that way for a long time.
I'm reminded at this point of a segment on TSN called "The Hot Seat" where a sporting personality is asked a series of questions about current events, their own plans, etc. The edition that I watched had WWE wrestler Chris Jericho (a Canadian) on. He was asked, if he had the power to take a chair shot at someone in sports, who would it be. He chose Gary Bettman. I figure a lot of people are feeling that way now. But I think it's unfair to completely villainize Gary Bettman. Bob Goodenow is just as much to blame.
PS Did anyone hear the story about how an old man from Niagara Falls cursed Bob and Gary in his (self-written) obituary? Wow.
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Aculias
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
Pretty Boy Angel Sacraficer
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posted February 17, 2005 02:58 AM |
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They had a meeting out here 11 AM today Pacific time & I am sorry Pandy but they could not come up with the players economic funds & the season is cancelled, apologies to us fans
Greedy players out there & they are already set for life but they want more.
I would play for free.
Basically because they could not realise the economic fund in time, they had no choice but to cancvell the season
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Dreaming of a Better World
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