Beyak: A poetic look back at hockey in Winnipeg in 2012

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'Tis right around Christmas, and as I sit down to write
The NHL work stoppage continues, with no end in sight
 
Here in Jets land it sucks, we don't understand
Last year was awesome, NHL hockey was back in the land
 
Broadcast wise all is quiet for all of us at TSN Jets
No play by play on TSN 1290, so talking lockout is as good as it gets
 
Ponikarovsky and Jokinen were signed to help win
To try and describe the frustration, we don't know where to begin
 
Fresh in our minds are the thrills of last season
9-8 in Philly, if you are looking for a reason
 
The shout of "True North" as the anthem was sung
Fans loving their Jets, from the MTS rafters they hung
 
The building misses the fans, and the fans miss it
But with no negotiations planned, we're trapped, frustrated and here we sit
 
No Crosby, Ovechkin or Miller to taunt
No jersey on fans with the Jets logo to flaunt
 
Portage and Main seems so quiet at night
At the restaurants downtown no visiting players in sight
 
And Coach Claude Noel, oh how we miss the talks
His love is coaching hockey, he's angry, he goes on long walks
 
The coaches post-game conference was something no one would miss
But two bad questions after a loss and chances are he would storm off in a hiss
 
Wheeler, Ladd and Little were a trio most nights
On the opposition net is where they would set their sights
 
The Byfuglien blast from the point off an Enstrom pass
Would sometimes miss the target, meaning a new pain of glass
 
Bogosian would not have been ready until after the All-Star Game
But like the Outdoor Classic, it's gone, oh my, who to blame
 
But young Zach will be back and the opposition will be attacked
Unless of course the unthinkable happens and the season is sacked
 
There's no way that can happen, but we thought that in September
"For the good of the game" is something no one seems to now remember
 
For now TSN will feature the juniors as they take centre stage
Starting the 26th, Canada battling for gold will be all the rage
 
To Gary and Bill, Donald and Steve
Get back at it with a rolled up sleeve
 
Here's hoping January will bring an end to this work stoppage fight
But in the meantime Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.