With the string of rumors surrounding my Phoenix Coyotes like financial troubles, the Canadians wanting “their” team back, the trade talks with Olli Jokinen and Derek Morris, I long for the days when I just “watched” hockey.

It wasn’t that long ago when I just went to the games, watched them on TV and really nothing else. Things like standings, points, playoff spots and trades weren’t even on the radar. I cheered the team on and when they went through a bad spell I shrugged it off with a comme ci comme ca attitude. It was just fun to watch them play and to know who they were with all their quirks.

Now with the more I learn, I find myself grinding my teeth at each loss, wondering what place we are in and dreading the trade talk. Financial troubles have me biting my nails over the mere thought of losing our boys and getting into the playoffs is never really far from my mind.

In short…I’ve become the sports fan I used to make fun of. Counting points, games, and sucking up every bit of rumor out there to be had. Tirading and ranting as though I were the one with a financial stake in the team. Although I can proudly say that I have not “boo’d” the boys at home games. I still find that to be in bad taste so maybe I haven’t really crossed the line just yet..

I am going to take a cue from my innocent daughter who responds to each loss with “awww” and then says “when are we going again?’ She just loves the game.

So here’s a toast to the GAME of hockey…we all should remember that it is still just a game.

As always GO YOTES!!!!