Tikkabik

I'm disappointed to see the 2004-2005 season for the NHL get cancelled today, though it's been an inevitability for a while. But I don't feel bad for either the owners or the players -- in fact, I think a salary cap is a damn good idea. As far as I'm concerned, it's made pro football better all around, and it's made it more important to get the right team in place under the right management and coaching than it does to get the right superstars to play for you -- I'd say our own New England Patriots are a shining example of this practice put to good use.

What turns my stomach is how badly this has affected the poor working class guys and gals who depend on this and other events to put food on the table. I'm talking about the concession stand workers and security guards. I'm talking about the maintenance crews. I'm talking about the bar owners and waitrons who work in places near the venues where these games are played. They're getting screwed because the players and owners can't decide how to split up their millions. Some of the people that work at the actual venues are losing health insurance, pensions and other benefits over this. Let's hope the NHL can sort their shit out for 2006.

I'm totally fed up with the NHL in general. Pro hockey isn't the working-class game that even I remember it being when I was a kid. It costs at least $50 a seat just for a part-way decent spot at the FleetCenter to see these guys play a stinkin' game we can watch at home for free. Between tickets, concessions and transportation, taking my wife and kids to see a Bruins game would run me at least $300, and that's not even counting souvenirs. $300. That's food on the table for almost two weeks in my house.

Meantime, you can go to Providence to see the AHL Providence Bruins play Friday night when they take on the Albany River Rats. Best seats in the house will set you back $22 each. Nosebleed seats will set you back $16 a pop. And the family-friendly section goes for $18 each. Now *that's* a bit more accessible to everyday people. Still not as cheap as a Sunday matinee, I'll admit, but a hell of a lot better than blowing half the monthly grocery budget on a night at the Venue Soon To Be Formerly Known As The FleetCenter.