With the 2018 NHL Playoffs now in full swing, hockey fans across North America are being treated to a bevy of exciting games on a nightly basis for the next couple of weeks.

However, for the first time in over 45 years, legendary play-by-play man Bob Cole won't be calling any postseason action. A fact Cole has struggled to come to terms with. "I’ve been doing playoffs every year of my life in broadcasting. This is the first time that I’m not involved," Cole said, according to Michael Traikos of Postmedia.

"It’s difficult to live with the fact that I’m not working. I surely will miss not working the playoffs. That’s the best way I can say it."

Cole has been the voice of hockey in Canada since 1972, weaving himself into the fabric of the sport for generations of fans.

However, his incredible run behind the microphone came to an unceremonious end this season. A reality that he says is tough to handle.

"The decision sure wasn’t mutual,” Cole said. “It was right out of the blue. Rogers decided to go with other (broadcast) teams and I have to live with that. But it was their decision - not mine."

" ... But I was never told that once that playoffs start, I wouldn’t be working. I’m not going to be part of it all. That’s kind of tough, but you have to live with it."

Cole's spot will be filled this postseason by a combination of broadcasters that includes Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson, who are calling the Bruins-Leafs series for Sportsnet-CBC, with Paul Romanuk and Garry Galley covering the Jets-Wild series.