I have a confession to make. I’m not at all excited to see the NHL back. In fact, I’m pretty ambivalent about it.
Now, don’t mistake my lack of feeling for lack of interest. I’m still interested in what’s going on. But instead of being passionate about it, I’m decidedly more analytical and thoughtful.
I’m still passionate about the Syracuse Crunch, however. Those guys are awesome – if you can, I highly suggest going to watch them play sometime. In fact, I’ve watched them play live twice this season already, once in Syracuse and once in Norfolk, and I plan on seeing them again when they get to Norfolk in March. So it’s definitely not the sport of hockey, but the NHL itself that I’m ambivalent about.
It’s like when a company discontinues your favorite chocolate chip cookies. You’re not happy for a bit, but then you find another brand that’s just as good – maybe even more satisfying, in fact. And then when the original chocolate chip cookies come back, you’re just not that into them anymore.
Of course, this could all change a week or two into the season. Then again, I could be like this for a while. It’s hard to say right now how it’ll go.
But I will tell you one thing. It’s really weird to see most people that you know get all excited for NHL hockey, and I’m left feeling nothing – I’m actually feeling extremely neutral about it all. I’ve played the hockey, and I’ve been a hockey fan for 20 years, so to feel nothing for any level of the sport isn’t at all normal for me.
Regardless, I’m not too sure that I’ll be attending any games this season. I have made no plans, and I’m not all that moved to make those kinds of plans at this time. That’s a “wait and see” sort of deal for me right now, and may hinge upon how many guys are up from Syracuse at any given time.
And it’s all because of the NHL and NHLPA’s petty theatrics and childishness over the CBA, too. It was just too hard to stomach watching the people who run the game fighting over things like spoiled children. I don’t hold any grudges, but that’s what really killed it for me in the end.
Well, that, and the fact that it was the third lockout that I’ve gone through as a fan – and no one’s seemed to have learned anything from any of them.
But, again, don’t think I’m not interested. I am; I’ll be keeping up on news, watching games, and writing. You know, doing what I usually do, just without the emotional attachment that had been there before. Heck, that might even make me a better writer, since my judgment won’t be clouded by emotion.
I know that I’m not the only one out there who feels…well…nothing. So for those who are also in my shoes, you’re not alone. Hopefully, that’ll change, but I think that we’re going to have to take it one game at a time.
