In the midst of all the financial bantering between the National Hockey League (NHL )players and owners, we fans have fallen victim to their disagreement. After all, without us, the players and the owners would not get any profit, because who else but us will pay for the tickets and the merchandise that they earn money from? Unfortunately, until they settle their differences, the fans have to live with reminiscent memories of the past, and other random hockey activities to keep themselves occupied in the meantime. If you can find videos of classic hockey games, you can definitely relive some of the on-ice action.

I would suggest purchasing a hockey video game, such as EA Sport’s NHL 2005 (for PS2, GameCube, Xbox and PC). By playing your favorite teams, or building up your own hockey dynasty, you can probably retain a bit of the hockey spirit for the next year. Otherwise, you could try SI Game’s NHL Eastside Hockey Manager (for PC). Although a year behind in its roster, this game gives you the opportunity to act as the general manager of a hockey team, essentially regulating all the functions of a hockey franchise except for actually controlling the players in a game. If you love fantasy sports, you will probably find this game excellent. For the price of a couple season tickets, you can definitely find some kind of electronic sports game somewhere that will keep your attention occupied until the NHL reaches an agreement with the players.

So what can fans do to help end the hockey lockout? Writing to the NHL office or the NHL Player Association's office might represent a good way to start. Make your own personal viewpoints about the situation known. After all, a massive outpouring of protest (or support!) from the fans can do a great deal to give one side or another some leverage in reaching an agreement. Otherwise, it unfortunately looks like we can only sit here until one, or preferably both, sides come to their senses and make an effort to end this lockout.

I figure that through my other article I have given the impression that I support the owners in their effort to lower salaries. After all, the professional hockey players, either way, will still earn significantly more than the average person. As some people point out, the players went to Europe for poorer contracts, demonstrating their ability to give up their pay. Yet, you also have to remember that in the first place, the owners gave the players their massive contracts and offered the lucrative deals that drove up the market values of players in the NHL, and consequently their salaries. After all, what person in their right mind would refuse a multi-million dollar deal that could ensure the financial stability of the family? Owners in all sports must realize that by offering such expensive contracts, they set themselves up for a situation like the one that has occurred in the NHL, when the contracts end up larger than the revenue.

Disappointingly, the owners and players have made a laughably pitiful attempt to resolve the situation. Following the lockout they have not met a single time to discuss a resolution, opting instead to throw verbal barbs at each other through the media. How can they possibly expect to agree on a new CBA if they won’t even talk directly to each other? In the end, I believe that the players need to make a compromise and agree to lower their salaries to approximately the amount currently proposed by the owners. Yet, I strongly believe that the owners should commit themselves to cutting ticket costs and promoting the sport of hockey, rather than personal profit. With a solid fan base, then they can increase their spending, earn money and pay the players higher salaries. However, for now they need to guard their checkbooks more carefully and realize that their own free spending can result in their own demise. Above all, both sides need to consider the fans, who make all of their financial success possible. Does the selfishness of either side promote they league the represent?

Until both sides come to an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, it looks like the loyal fans of the NHL will have to continue to suffer.