Ok so after a few days of hanging out and turning up the flirt, I realized the approach wasn't going to do any good. Since I've always flirted a lot she didn't even catch on that I was serious in my attempts.
So I took her out for dinner and basically had a very long conversation, which I eventually turned to the topic on my brain and flat out asked her out, this time on a "real" date. She was somewhat amused and flattered at the invitation, and took it quite well before simply declining, saying she just didn't think of me that way, that were too good friends and had known each other too long, finishing it off with a "even though you are dead sexy."
And I don't feel disappointed at all, no regrets, just like a million bucks for acting on my feelings and also taking a potential disaster situation, and basically coming out of it having done what I needed to do, and not harmed or hurt a relationship in any way. And I've moved on and have no lingering feelings, though the next time I take her to a hockey game I'll be sure to get her drunk anyway
Thanks CPers for all the advice, much appreciated
and all the laughs too