Goodspeed, Hockey Fans

Urrrrgh.

In a big departure from previous seasons, when all of the first- and second-round hockey games were available in syndication for local cable systems or networks to pick up, rights holder ESPN is isolating almost all of the regional action on ESPNU.

Only four games that occur at conflicting times will be syndicated this season - none of them from the East Regional that has the Wolverines.

Upshot: those without ESPNU are screwed, especially since the hockey tournament runs concurrently with basketball. To the bars, in large, pitchfork-toting groups.