Nights of whine and neuroses ends

As you know, hockey is my life to steal a line from my scribbling hero, Jim Taylor.
Perhaps, the Ol' Columnist exaggerates just a tad, but I once showed up as a tall, stringy goaltender for the powerhouse St. Catharines Teepees when Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull were setting junior A records. Of course, coach Rudy Pilous wasn't impressed as I donned No. 73 when the designated numbers for goalies in that era were 1 and 1A.
So what happened in the interim?
Well, 'The Sieve' discarded the goalie pads for a writing pad and had a chance to interview the likes of Gordie Howe, Henri Richard, Bernie Geoffrion, Bill Mosienko and Rocket Richard. That was when the six-team league was flourishing in Boston, Chicago, New York, Toronto, Montreal and Detroit.
Then the NHL began adding teams until today there are 30. So name them, Mr. Sieve.
Well, let's see there's Anaheim, Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Edmonton, Florida, Los Angeles, Minnesota, Montreal, Nashville, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, San Jose, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington. Whew!
See I told you I could do it. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a sheet with all the names on it.
Since I have been as confused as you about the reasons the 2004-05 season was wiped out, I decided to consult the swamis of the trade. So step right up to the plate, Mr. Experts, and explain all the ramifications:
DON CHERRY: No doubt who won this contest ... the owners. The players' association got a home run in 1994 and they tried to hit a home run now and they should have settled for a double or a single because there was no way they were going to beat the owners this time. They underestimated the owners' resolve and they pay the price now and they pay a big price ... It was Armageddon as far as I am concerned, but I believe it will make the league and the franchises stronger. We had to have Armageddon to get them. Teams like Edmonton and Calgary are going to be all the stronger ... After a year, I got so much to say I can hardly wait to hear myself.
IAN AUSTIN, Vancouver Province: Bring it on! Hockey fans throughout the Lower Mainland rejoiced over news the Canucks are finally going to hit the ice again. Even though the NHL season is months away, the mood was enthusiastic at Burnaby 8-Rinks after a tentative deal was announced by the league and its players. "It's great news for the fans, and all the local businesses around GM Place," said Wah Gee, a 37-year-old Vancouver teacher who plays hockey two or three times a week. Gee figures all sides in the 301-day lockout -- the longest stoppage in North American sports history -- should own up to the pain they've caused.
TERRY JONES, Edmonton Sun: Funny how fast the focus goes back to the hometown hockey team.The deal is done. The players lose. The owners win. And Marilyn Bell just swam Lake Ontario. The big news, by the time it became news, was not really news. Today you want to know the one thing you've always wanted to know as you've waited for this day to arrive: Are the Edmonton Oilers going to be able to get a prime-time, star-quality, first-line centre, a puck-rushing defenceman and a goaltender? Instantly on DD-Day, that became the topic ... The new $39-million US salary cap doesn't mean the Oilers are going to have a $39-million budget. They're not. They're going to have the same $33-million cap they had when we last watched hockey here.
STEVE SIMMONS, Toronto Sun: On the day the hockey lockout came to a merciful ending, after 300 nights of whine and neuroses, there were unknowing smiles almost everywhere. And no one seemed to know exactly why. Having been slaughtered in the most damaging fight in hockey history, having been sold out by their own union representatives on just about every issue they were instructed to believe in, players spoke bravely yesterday about rebuilding the game. What else could they say after such a stunning defeat? They talked about a new game and new rules and a new beginning and this sudden tentative partnership between players and owners. They did so with brave faces and their usual stirring lack of information. Not only did they lose a season's salary in the process but they must now relinquish 24% of their contracted money for the year that is to come: A new starting point for players, a new starting line for the back-in-business National Hockey League. In simple terms, commissioner Gary Bettman negotiated by holding his breath, but in the end it was the players who turned blue. They fought against a salary cap and lost.
As for the Ol' Columnist, I can hardly wait until the Vernon Vipers get back on the ice.
Now, that's real hockey.