NHL Lockout 2012: Prep the ice, drop the puck already

Carolina Hurricanes' Jay Harrison supervises puck pick-up - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

What a difference a day or two makes.

Just as the excitement of positive developments in Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) talks early in the week gave many fuzzy and warm feelings of watching NHL hockey in the near future, the reality of both the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) engaging in some serious fisticuffs hit everyone head on.


The high level of hope reached between Tuesday and Wednesday came crashing down hard and fast over the next two days.

Both sides have reached a point that might have wiped the slate clean and to start over - at least that's what the NHL says.

However, too much has been discussed and to much energy has been invested to throw it all away.

The players are ready to play and the fans are ready to watch.

Owners - get the keys out and remove the padlocks!

The time has come to resurface the ice, or install it if it's still not in, and drop the puck.

It's not too late!

Recent NHL Hockey news from the Raleigh Sports Examiner on Examiner.com:

The NHL lockout in hockey terms

Labor negotiations between the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) came to a critical impasse in New York late Thursday.After a positive set of developments occurred the previous day that had left players..

Staal brothers provide perspective on NHL lockout

The National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) continued to meet while working to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in New York, N.Y. on Wednesday.After a long and enduring day..

Raleigh Sports Examiner on Facebook

Raleigh Sports Examiner on Twitter @pksport

The Raleigh Sports Examiner - Sports with a Local Twist

Raleigh Sport Examiner - You Tube channel

Majestic Carolina Hurricanes Crease Tee - Men (Google Affiliate Ad) 

NHL 13 - PS3 - PS3 Games (Google Affiliate Ad) 

NHL, NHLPA working for the weekend

Eric & Jordan Staal - Peter Koutroumpis, PKS Consulting LLC

The National Hockey League (NHL) and National Hockey LeaguePlayers’ Association (NHLPA) have put in some long hours in the board room while trying to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) this week in New York, N.Y., particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday.

If you could put music to the montage of images showing owners and players going in and out of meeting rooms and lingering in hallways with cell/smart phones attached to their ears, Loverboy’s ‘Workin’ for the Weekend’ would be the suitable selection.

The simple lyrics of the song effects an emotion that many people reluctantly admit makes them crank the volume up to 10 while driving home on a Friday afternoon.

The song creates energy and excitement, and gets many people focused on achieving something – relaxing, partying, even playing hockey

Not only is the song representative of an iconic Canadian hard rock/pop band’s rise to glory during the early to mid-80’s, it seems that it also represents a time of great excitement in the NHL that showcased the Gretzky era in full effect.

They were exciting times indeed.

With the misery that CBA negotiations have laid upon many following them to date possibly ending, and with the thought of a season being salvaged through the positive results of these current meetings, everyone will need the spark to reignite them.

How great would it be to release that energy heading into the weekend knowing that the NHL hockey season will start soon after?

What better way would there be to get ready for that new season, than with Loverboy blaring from all points in North America and beyond?

Everyone's watchin' to see what you will do
Everyone's lookin' at you, oh
Everyone's wonderin' will you come out tonight
Everyone's tryin' to get it right, get it right

A cheesy thought yes, but it is a much better option to consider than to continue to read about endless and unproductive labor negotiations that are about as exciting as watching an ice rink thaw.

Just imagine the thought of this deal getting done, and allowing the players to finally‘work for the weekend with everyone watchin’ to see what they will do.’

It's only Wednesday, but crank it up!

Raleigh Sports Examiner on Facebook

Raleigh Sports Examiner on Twitter @pksport

The Raleigh Sports Examiner - Sports with a Local Twist

Raleigh Sport Examiner - You Tube channel

 NHL 13 Xbox 360 - Xbox 360 Games (Google Affiliate Ad)NHL 13 Xbox 360 - Xbox 360 Games (Google Affiliate Ad)

Franklin Nhl Mini Hockey Light-Up Goal Set (Google Affiliate Ad)