Men & women tying up the score

Here we go everyone, playoffs 2011, two months of non-stop, can’t live without it, hockey action. Spring used to be a time for renewal, an end to winter's hibernation. Unfortunately, the playoffs are now two months of over commercialized, over hyped, beer, truck, and Viagra infomercials, with some stellar hockey in the breaks.

The good news; the Canucks are in it, and that gives BC a vested interest. Most of us are on board for the party. The bad news; there are fourteen other teams, many of negligible consequence and some of little interest, except to the diehard fanatic.

This subject is serious business and a source of sombre discontent for a lot of women. Hockey overload can be a long period of alienation and estrangement for many women and families.

Is it reasonable to be trying to follow every team, every night through the playoffs? Let’s get real guys. That’s not satisfactory in today’s time challenged world, with spouses, kids, and spring longing for our attention.

For our partners, any plans for the next two months are on hold, contingent on the outcome of the Canucks and the end of the hockey playoffs.

Sports can be healthy escapism, or like any addiction it can negatively affect life in an all-consuming manner, distancing family, alienating spouses, and affecting quality of life for those held captive by the enthusiast’s preoccupation.

Game night can start early in a relationship - it seems fun, is a enjoyable activity, but can also be an indicator of a sports pastime habit, that will require some serious time allocation and personal sacrifice down the road. It’s not necessarily something women saw coming, or signed up for.

The Vancouver play-off run is fantastic and a source of provincial pride. However when sports escapism and compensating fantasy start ruining a spring night’s plans, one has to question the fanatic’s priorities.

So how does a woman circumvent becoming a hostage to a man with sports dependency issues? Some constructive suggestions include; encourage him to pick a team, and ride that team to defeat or championship. But when defeated, hockey is over.

You could sign up with your partner, and make his team your team and invite other couples over for “game night”. You are then sharing the journey or misery, and can call it a support group; either way you’re not alone, wallowing in the din of jocular enthusiasm.

Some un-accommodating but realistic ideas that could prove effective include: Split the programming; your shows, his shows, your night, his night, split evenly all week.

This strategy will ultimately bring up TV time comparisons. The argument will end instantly when the reality of hockey/TV time becomes evident.

Considering the new HD is yours too, if he objects, there are dishes, homework, lunches, and laundry to be done while watching the TV in the kitchen.

Rest assured, that for every man in the sports cave, there is one out enjoying the spring sunshine, and the subsequent blossoming of our wives and girlfriends, as they shed their winter coats and slip on sundresses and tank tops. Yes, some men have better things to watch than other men playing a game.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.