Or does if feel like people have lost interest in the sport of hockey ever since the dreadful 2 year knockout?

I live in the city of Detroit, years ago commonly known as hockey town USA. Throughout the entire playoffs there was always people discussing the game the previous night, and sporting their jerseys after each win. When Detroit won the Stanley cup in 1997, 1998, and 2002... most of the entire state went absolutely wild. I remember cruising down the streets of the city, everyone honking their horns in celebration, people gathered in front of the bowling alleys and bars yelling in hollering all in their Red Wings apparel, and most of all the smiles on the faces of every single person around.

Those were great days.

NOW ever since the "lockout" it seems that there isn’t nearly as much enthusiasm.  The Red wings are one victory away from clenching the prestigious Stanley cup high above their heads, and tasting the sweetest Champaign they will ever taste. You would think the city would be buzzing in anticipation. NO. It’s Deadly Quiet. Its quiet enough you might think something terrible has happened, and nobody really wants to talk about it.

You might see one car a day riding around with a red wings flag out the window or a wings bumper sticker. 5 years ago this would have been unnoticed, as just about every other car had some sort of recognition.

In all honesty it makes me sick that the greatest fan base in the world has essentially turned the other way. What happened to the spirit of competition? Who or What is responsible for the unenthusiastic faces? The outspoken crowd of selfless drones, Zombies of people who used to love and cherish these sports as one of the greater things in life.

In a Nation where gas is 4 dollars per gallon, the majority of citizens do not approve of what the government is doing, and of that majority many of us have lost hope that things might get any better....

Where are the people who stand up in the crowd and say "oh well... at least we still have hockey"