Yes
and sort of - the NHL was in a lockout. Hockey still existed in other leagues and forms, but the epic stage of NHL was nonexistent until yesterday.
I'm actually not surprised no one cares about hockey - very few of my local "IRL" friends even acknowledge the sport. It's great, though. Give it a go, but make sure you check out the rules first - otherwise you might be lost when they call an "icing."
