I was driving past the Honda Center the other night and couldn't help but notice how dark and desolate the arena looked. It was at that moment that I too was stricken with an empty feeling in my gut.
The lights were off, inside and out. There were no lot attendants, security vehicles, ticket vendors. Quite simply it was a ghost town. But, it wasn't just that the building wasn't being used on this particular night; it was as if the entire building was devoid of any life at all and it looks like it may be that way for some time.
It didn't take me long to realize that I already miss hockey and it's only September. Now that the NHL has cancelled the rest of its preseason schedule the emptiness is growing larger and deeper. It may sound corny, but I live for hockey and the glow of a packed hockey arena is more beautiful to me than even the best sunsets.
Without hockey the Honda Center and other buildings like it have no life. They are just empty shells sitting idle like a car broken down in the fast lane of a packed freeway.
Arena's all over North America are covered in the same cloud of darkness as the Honda Center. It's a shame that such amazing buildings are forced to sit quietly and wait with the rest of us. How much longer will this go on? For me, it has already been too long.
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What are the Ducks players doing these days?
- Many of them of using the extra time off to spend with family, like Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf.
- Others like Bobby Ryan are probably spending too many hours playing NHL 13 in the comfort of their own homes. Ryan made it very clear that he won't be playing anywhere else during the lockout because he refuses to take another man's job. He sounds like a true union guy.
- Luca Sbisa signed with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League A.
- Several ( Devante Smith-Pelly, Kyle Palmieri, Peter Holland, Emerson Etem) are spending their time toiling in the AHL with Anaheim's new affiliate, the Norfork Admirals.
While it's always interesting to hear about how the players are spending their time, I find it more interesting knowing how Tim the ticket guy is getting by. I'm sure money is probably allot tighter in his house than that of any NHL player - even the marginal ones.
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