In Front of the Television

Dear American TV Networks,

PLEASE show more regular season hockey.

Thanks,
Girl 2

Seriously. I had seen a few live games because I knew boys in high school who played, but I first started really watching hockey when I was a junior in college. At that time, ESPN2 showed a game or two every night, and I always tuned in. By the time I moved to British Columbia for grad school, I was hooked. I watched as many games as possible at home -- usually one or two a day, just with basic cable -- and shelled out the cash to see it live at GM Place a few times a season as well.

It only got nerdier from there. I subscribed to The Hockey News. My credit card had my favorite team's logo on it. I was an expert on every team and player in the NHL. I would've kicked some ass in fantasy hockey. I didn't, though, because I already beat my ex at Playstation hockey 90% of the time; I didn't think his ego could take me dominating his fantasy league as well.

But that was Canada. When I moved back to the States, I found out that if you don't have a team in your hometown, which I don't, hockey on TV was rare. I didn't have the cash to shell out for special NHL cable packages, so apart from catching a game here and there, like the fantastic moment where my boy Midget finally hoisted Lord Stanley's Cup, I stopped paying attention to hockey altogether. It was all TV's fault!

This year I realized how much I missed my old favorite sport, and started trying to follow the NHL again, despite American Television's attempts to thwart me. Now that all 3 of my teams are in the playoffs, their games are finally being shown and I'm in hockey heaven.

So why can't I be here all year long? Come on, American TV, work with me... make my friends hockey widows the year round. I'd really appreciate it. Even if no one else would.