Hockey fan sticks it to NHL, players for lockout

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A hockey fan disgruntled by the National Hockey League lockout is taking his frustration to the streets.

“I need my hockey fix(ed)” reads the newest version of those familiar magnetic car ribbons that express everything from national pride to cancer awareness.

Creator Doug Sitler got fed up watching millionaire players and owners squabble while the only ice time for fans this winter has been scraping windshields.

“Here’s these two powerful, big-money organizations fighting and the fans are left in the dark,” he said.

The magnet is black with orange trim and lettering, like the NHL logo. The slogan sends a dual message: Fans miss hockey and want the sport fixed.

“I thought why not express my frustrations using a pop culture phenomenon?” Sitler said.

The fact that he sold more than 2,000 magnets soon after their introduction showed him there are a lot of like-minded fans.

Sitler was more flattered than annoyed when someone swiped the magnet off his car. It’s been fun watching them pop up around town.

“The first person I saw who had one was a 70-year-old woman in a Lexus,” he said.

“I think it’s a good idea to keep it fresh in everybody’s mind that the fans miss hockey,” said Kate Resetarits, who stuck a magnet on her car.

There’s no worry at the moment that hockey will resume and render the magnets obsolete.

On Saturday, the lockout was in its 122nd day. No talks have been scheduled since Dec. 14, when the NHL rejected a players’ association proposal and its own counteroffer was turned down.

“I haven’t seen one glimmer of hope in any of these months of talking,” Sitler said. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there will be any hockey unless a miracle happens – and I hope that does happen. I really want hockey. I’ll go nuts.”