This morning's USA Today has an article, "Hockey has plenty to offer,
even without NHL action" commentary by Kevin Allen.  He names 10
alternatives:
1) Detroit's hockey hotbed
2) Bryan Berard vs. Ed Jovanovski
3. Oklahoma City Blazers vs. Tulsa Oilers
4) Colorado College
5) Omaha Lancers
6) Sergei Samsonov
7) Mathews Arena
8) Minnesota high school hockey
9) Referee Heather McDaniel
10) Rent "Slap Shot"
 
The section on Colorado College says:
        "In 1993-94, Don Lucia's first season as coach, the school won
its first regular-season title silnce 1957.  This season, the Tigers are
12-2 and ranked No. 1
        Colorado forward Jay McNeill is among the nation's hottest
scorers.  He has seven goals in his last three games to give him 18 in 14
games."
 
 
There's a map labeles "Detroit" Hockey's hotbed" that shows hockey teams
within 100 miled of Detroit, including Michigan State and the University
of Michigan.  There's also a schedule for a 1-233, 400-mile trip that
starts in downtown Detroit and lets you sample the hockey teams in the
Detroit area.  It includes:
 
Dec. 29-30      Great Lakes Invitational
Jan. 7          Team Canada at Michigan