Good news for NHL, Pac-10, MWC and Big 12 fans

DirecTV and the Versus sports channel, after a mere six months of scorched-earth warfare, have finally kissed -- well, shaken hans; okay, nodded politely -- and made up. DirecTV subscribers can again see the channel, which went dark in their homes on Sept. 1 when the two couldn't agree on a new contract. Nobody is talking about terms of the settlement, which comes just weeks before the NHL playoffs begin. DirecTV subscribers missed not only most of the hockey season but a substantial number of college football games involving teams from the Pac-10, Big 12, Mountain West and Ivy League conferences.