Today is another day. At least that’s how I view it. We all get up everyday God willing and do our absolute best no matter what the circumstances. On a nice September weekend before Rosh Hashanah which for some means a four day holiday, there are so many things you can do. Whether it’s going to see a ballgame such as the big one in the Bronx or hitting up a park and taking in a great autumn Saturday or chilling with friends, you can enjoy it. Everyday is a chance for something positive.

I’m not here to be negative. Even with with the lockout coming tonight thanks to idiocy and poor leadership, I won’t go off. It’s true that we’ll miss the NHL. From exciting rookie tournaments that were canceled to training camps, preseason games and eventually regular season. Unfortunately, two work stoppages aren’t enough for Gary Bettman. Apparently, he won’t stop until he destroys the league, finally disparaging “loyal fans” to the point of no return. I hope you’re happy Gary. I’m sure he and Bill Daly will toast the latest debacle. It’s what they wanted along with a few selfish owners, who can’t look in the mirror.

Those are my final thoughts on the sad subject. You can be upset and protest like some fans did at the NHL store today and wave signs as if that’s going to change anything. Or you can accept it. They don’t care about us. We don’t count. Why should we care? To quote good buddy Chris Wassel of The Hockey Writers and No Goal Sports Show we did last night, “Get over it!”

There’s plenty of hockey to follow. During ’04-05, I got by following the AHL and NCAA. The ‘A’ will again be stacked with young players being assigned such as Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson for the Devils while Jeff Skinner will play for Carolina’s affiliate. If you really want excitement, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and freshly minted Jordan Eberle were assigned to the Oilers AHL roster. Much like Eric Staal, some will benefit from the experience. For vets, it’s a harder time having to decide whether to go overseas and play in the KHL or Europe. NHL facilities are no longer available and players must organize individual workouts split the bill. At least they can make good use of their escrow. Only injured stars such as Chris Pronger will see paychecks. This is the chaos another lockout creates.

This time, I’ll add the KHL to the watch list. Games can be followed on khltv.com for anyone interested. That means we can follow Petr Prucha and Mats Zuccarello along with Alexei Kovalev and Nikolai Zherdev. I think Sergei Fedorov still plays and I’d watch him just for the skating. Other stars like Hart winner Evgeni Malkin should be returning home to Russia. The NHL’s loss is the KHL’s gain. Might Pen teammate Sidney Crosby join up? Wouldn’t that be something?

You can also follow every junior league even though it’s a bit tougher if you live in the States unless you’re in Seattle or Green Bay. Buffalo, Detroit and Minnesota are closer to Canada for those who feel like making trips to see the next wave. I’ll do my best via the internet such as the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers who I have conveniently decided to follow. Can’t seem to get away from that all too familiar trend of #LetsGoRangers. They won their final preseason game yesterday 6-4 over Barrie. The fact I know that speaks volumes. For now, it’s the OHL, WHL, QMJHL, USHL, etc. until the NCAA and AHL join the prospect party. Don’t forget many college hockey games will be on TV. In between college football and college hoops should be some big games on ESPNU, NBC Sports, etc. You’ll also have internet feeds and even radio if you’re fortunate to discover Canadian stations as I did up in Toronto (FAN 590).

If you really love the sport, it’s not about the league that’ll be missing from our lives. We still have to go work so we can put food on our tables. Live! Or as Morgan Freeman said in Shawshank Redemption, “Get busy living or get busy dying.” It’s all out there. You can make the most of it. Don’t let them win.