Hockey... at its best

I love hockey.

I wish that I was in Lake Placid during the month of February in 1980.

The New York Rangers run at the 1994 Stanley Cup remains the top sports moment of my life (as a fan).

And over the past two weeks, it has been great watching hockey at its highest level.

The 2010 Winter Olympics will be remembered the most, for the Gold Medal game between Team Canada and Team USA. 

When Sidney Crosby beat Ryan Miller for the game winning goal in overtime, it sent an entire nation into a state of absolute bliss.  There is no overstating how much it means to the folks in Canada. 

Team USA wasn't expected to do much in this tournament.  Instead, they came within one goal of their first gold medal in men's hockey since, you guessed it, 1980.

The saddest part to me?  The fact that the NHL will continue to find ways to screw up the momentum this tournament should bring to the remainder of their 2009-2010 season.

Commissioner Gary Bettman has over-expanded, and was the man in charge of an entire season being wiped off the record books. 

The NHL can't get its act together.

At least the players are proving that the game can be as good as it's ever been.