Center Ice requires X1?

I attempted to order Center Ice.  Years past, Tivo plus cable card got me the games.

Now I am told I must get an X1 box to be able to subscribe.  There is no legitimate reason for this unnescessary bundling of a superfluous piece of hardware to access hockey games.  I now get these Center Ice channels without any problems.  What do I need to do to get Center Ice without X1?