In today's Washington Post, Capitals forward Brooks Laich offered a blunt assessment of the damage he believes the stoppage caused the NHL and hockey as a whole. “I’m honestly really embarrassed by the lockout, like personally embarrassed,” Laich said. “I feel terrible about it. I feel like we just punched our sport in the face. And I feel bad for everybody that was affected by it directly or indirectly.”
At least he is bluntly admits the problem. Perhaps the long stalemate between owners and the players union reflects the culture of conflict, which is best (worst) seen in U.S. politics. Perhaps the personalities clashed, getting in the way of an agreement. Certainly both sides did not have "the big picture" in mind, nor "the good of the game." I saw one commentator who said the NHL did a quiet survey and found that hockey fans in Canada and the U.S. are the most rabid, and most committed, of any of the major pro sports. If that allowed league president Gary Betman to abuse his authority on behalf of the owners, a pox on their house and all the rats inside.
Well. Now we can get back to seeing our "flightless birds," the Penguins, on the ice again at Consol Energy Center.
Captain Sidney Crosby
Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury
Coach Dan Bylsma
Where the Penguins want to go...to hoist the Stanley Cup once again!
Go Penguins!
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