from Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Journal,

It sucks to be Edmonton.

At least as far as the playoffs are concerned.

In what might be the most passionate market in the world, a city whose emotional well being has always been partially linked to its hockey team, fans in Edmonton have to the face the cold hard truth one more time.

The organization let them down again.

While other Canadian cities are gearing up for sunshine and playoffs, face-painting and more alcohol than should probably be consumed on a week night, Edmonton will once again be standing on the outside with its nose pressed against the post-season window, watching everyone else have all the fun....

Edmonton gets Year 12 in the Decade of Darkness. Another spring with no games to get excited about, no reason for fans to wake up with butterflies in their stomach because it’s the morning of Game 7. No reason to shake with rage because “how much %#$#%*! $#i$ are the referees going to let Perry and Kesler get away with!” No reason to high five perfect strangers for no other reason than they’re wearing orange and blue. No reason for bars and restaurants to make more money in a single series than they do in a month.

This is what fans follow hockey all year for — to come together and share in the anticipation, stress, excitement, controversy and emotion.

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