The Communique

Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: Sports

Erich Pilcher covers sports topics from around the nation in Pilcher´s Mound.

"I play hockey and fornicate 'cause those are two of the best things to do in the cold."- Skank Marden in "Mystery, Alaska."

October 5 was a great day. It was a day when bone-jarring hits returned to center ice as the National Hockey League returned after a year and a half hiatus caused by a lockout.

The lockout ended in July and brought new changes to the game, including smaller goalie pads and less game stoppage, to make it more exciting. Now the big kicker, the NHL also THANKED THE FANS and meant it!
What a concept, thanking the people that stuck behind the league throughout the messy ordeal. Some players, such as the outspoken Jeremy Roenick, even said that players were to blame for the lockout and, are you ready for this, apologized to the fans.

Wow, what a great day. Finally a group of athletes stepped up to the plate and assumed blame and then thanked fans for their support.

Now I know other pro sport organizations have done this before but keep in mind that they say it to make themselves feel good and tell corporate sponsors "Fan support is up." Hockey had no such meetings because even their corporate members were locked out.

Since the lockout ended, the NHL has apologized and even lowered ticket and concessions prices - an added plus for fans. When these fans came to the games they saw "Thank You Fans" blazed across the ice.

The NHL also adopted a new program for fans to allow more interaction with players and to show even more appreciation: If you see an NHL player on the street and identify him, he will give you two free passes to their respective team's next home game.

When hockey returned on Oct. 5, many people didn't care. I was not one of them. For the first time in many years, hockey is starting fresh with a new generation. That should be excitement enough. Gone are NHL staples Al McInnis and Mark Messier. In comes the "Next One," Sidney Crosby. Legend Wayne Gretzky is back on the bench too, albeit as a coach for the lowly Phoenix Coyotes.

We all make mistakes. We all stand up for things some feel don't matter - but to us they do. Remember all the people that stuck behind you when you realized your cause was lost? It can be humbling. Now keep in mind that's how hockey players feel but they are repenting by making the fans feel like their idols instead of the other way around.

Questions? Comments? E-mail Erich at epilcher1@yahoo.com

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