CALGARY- It’s the news hockey fans have been waiting months for, and one day after the NHL announced a tentative end to the lockout, both players and fans are celebrating.
On Sunday, a tentative deal to the 113 day lockout was reached following a marathon 16 hour negotiating session. It must now be ratified by a majority of the league’s owners and players.
Members of the Calgary Flames apologized to fans on Monday.
“I had a quote in the meetings in Chicago in the summer, someone asked me ‘what’s a win look like?’ and my answer was ‘we’ve already lost,’” says forward Mike Cammalleri. “I think that was accurate. No one really wins in this situation, it was a shame it had to take place.”
Team captain Jarome Iginla agrees, saying they’re thrilled to get back on the ice.
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“We ramped it up a little more, guys are more excited now and going a bit harder…we look forward to it! We hope we can be entertaining for the fans. We know it will take time to win some fans back but for us in Calgary the best thing we can do as a team is be exciting and play hard and win.”
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Local watering holes like Hudsons Canadian Tap House were hit hard during the lockout due to a loss of business, and staff are ecstatic that Canada’s game is back on-despite their broken hearts.
“I think it’s like a bad relationship gone sour for sure, and they are calling us and we are ignoring the call for the time being-but eventually we will pick up,” laughs bartender Warren Dean.
The president of the Calgary Flames is counting on that, to fill seats at the Saddledome when the team finally hits the ice.
“We apologize for taking away the sport you love so much,” said Ken King. “The only thing you can do is come back with your new coaching group, new additions to the team, core group of veterans…and come back and be an integral part of the community, and try to re-earn the trust in the fans we may have tested.”
With files from Kevin Smith and Doug Vaessen
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