Having grown up playing and watching hockey, I know exactly what you mean about the US version of fans. It was even tougher when I moved out here to SoCal from Minnesota in 85. No one even knew what hockey was out here. At least last year we finally had some excitement with the Ducks winning the cup.
As PL said though, DirecTV Center Ice is the best! Now I get all the games I want to see (and wager upon) and in HD it's even better! It made me buy an even bigger TV last year just to get closer to the action.
BOL to all!!
larz