from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

And so we have reached the predictable, yet significant boiling point in this already tiring NHL lockout.

Oh, there will be more to come, but Tuesday’s pointed comments from negotiators on both sides signified the first real point of exasperation from folks in the bargaining room.

The NHL says it’s tired of talking about nothing and wants a new offer from the NHLPA before any progress can be made.

The NHLPA says the league’s version of progress is giving in.

The rhetoric is being knocked up a notch. Rewind the tape to eight years ago, and you’ll hear much of the same type of sniping from both sides.

It’s Groundhog Day in the NHL, and the biggest losers are the fans who once again are being held hostage by an all-too-familiar script.

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