From: farenebt@craft.camp.clarkson.edu (Big Bri)
Subject: "It's the fans turn to strike"
Organization: Clarkson University
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 23:34:33 GMT

Here is an Associated Press article on hockey. Reprinted 
without permission:

[begin]
	NHL players went back to work on Sunday night. A lot of fans stayed
home.
	Empty seats were prevalent as the league resumed play following
a 10-day strike, the first in the league's 75 year history.
	There were about 2000 empty seats at Chicago Stadium for the
Blackhawks' game against Norris Division rival Detroit -- the first
time in several years that there wasn't a full house.
	"I'm glad they're back but I can tell a lot of people aren't
too excited  about it." said Chicago fan Andy Moag "I had two extra tickets 
and it was really hard to get rid of them outside. One guy offered me $10 for  
two $30 tickets. People are waiting for the playoffs."
	Though all 15,842 tickets were sold at Maple Leaf Gardens, only
11,429 -- by far the smallest crowd of the regular season -- showed up to
see Toronto lose, 6-2 to the New York Islanders., officially ending the
Leafs' playoff hopes. The Maple Leafs had not announced a crowd below
15,075 this season.
	Those that did come appeared to support the players more than
the owners.
	Matt Foso, a 13 year old season ticket holder in Buffalo, said he
sided with the players "because I think there should be more leniency
with free agency and it's good because they have less rounds of the draft."
	Fred Grant, a New Jersey Devils season=ticket holder, also backed
the players. "I never lost confidence that it would get resolved. I was 
solidly in the players' corner," he said.
	Grant also felt the long layoff affected the caliber of play.
	"It was a terrible first period. Players were skating into each
other," he said, "(Goaltender Chris) Terreri was the only sharp one out
there."
	Grant didn't have much company at the Meadowlands Arena for the Devils'
game against Washington. Only 9374 fans showed up, the third-smallest of the
season and the lowest since Dec. 5.
	Most of those who came on Sunday were glad that hockey was back.
	"We didn't like the strike but we still support the team," said JoAnn
Smerek of Golden Valley, Minn., attending the Blues-North Stars game. "We're
glad they came back."
	The Met Center, though, was about half-filled, although the game was
important to the North Stars' playoff chances.
	North Stars' owner Norm Green, of course, also was glad the players
were back. Green worried that a prolonged strike might have irreparably
damaged the goodwill the Stars had built -- and as one of the "moderate"
owners, he helped push through the collective bargaining agreement.
	"Had the strike carried on, probably Minnesota would have suffered
the most," he said, "This time to convert enthuiasm shown by the fans into
(season-ticket) committment is crucial to us."
	Club vice-president Pat Forciea said the fewer than 25 people had asked 
for refunds to Sunday's rescheduled game, though others may still do so
until Saturday.
	At the Boston Garden, the quiet crowd of 12,823 for the Bruins' game
with last-place Quebec was their smallest of the season. There were only two
signs hanging from the rafters: "Congratulations Union!" and "Thanks
Andy". Boston goaltender Andy Moog is a vice president of the players union.
	The Hartford Whalers announced a crowd of 10,456 for their game with
Philadelphia but the number of fans appeared to be in the range of 6500 which
would be the second-smallest in the team's NHL history.
	"As far as I'm concerned, the season could have been over," said
Yvan Carriere. "I've been a season-ticket holder for seven years but I didn't
buy playoff tickets and I could have done without this."
[end of article]

My opinion: I'm glad its over. If they had cancelled the season I would've 
been really pissed at the players because they said the main issue was trading
cards. Then later, they said the owners had given them what they wanted on
cards but had not dealt with the "lucrative" buttons, pins, calendars, etc.

Go B's!

Anyone out there have an extra Sharks schedule they'd be willing to trade?

--------------------------------------------------------------------
BRI FARENELL	CLARKSON '95	FARENEBT@CRAFT.CAMP.CLARKSON.EDU

"It's a great day for hockey."	---Bob Johnson 1931-1991

GO ADIRONDACK RED WINGS! 	CALDER CUP CHAMPS: 1981 1986 1989

PROUD TO BE A FAN OF USA HOCKEY AND US COLLEGE HOCKEY.
 




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