I have been a hockey nut since I was a teenager and growing up in the 
south, that was an odd thing in the 70's. I was kinda excited when 
the Whalers (my favorite team for years) moved to an arena 20 miles 
from my house. But, the few Candy 'Canes games I have attended were 
an abomination. Mainly because the whole game is presented in a 
fashion that dumbs down and dilutes the sport for ignorant Americans 
sports "fans". I admit to being an elitist and a purist, but who 
needs to have pounding techno music or scoreboard pyrotechnics to 
distract them every time there is a 20 second stoppage in play? How 
many time does an audience need to have icing explained to them?

The NHL has been badly mismanaged for years by Gary Bettman and the 
salaries are out of kilter for the league's revenue streams. Gretzky, 
Mario & a few others deserve big slice of the pie because they put 
butts in seats, but paying journeymen $7 million a year to produce 20 
goals is a bit much.

I say shut the league down and start a new league with six teams: 
Detroit, Chicago, New York, Boston, Montreal and Toronto. Then 
establish an "B" level league with teams in other cities.

Audities content: I like power pop. Rickenbacker guitars are purty. 
Brian Wilson is a genius.

Mike the Hockey Grump
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