The NHL avoided losing an entire season for the second time in less than a decade, reaching a tentative agreement with the players' association on a new collective bargaining agreement Sunday morning, bringing an end to the lockout. The season could start as soon as Jan. 15, and players are ready to hit the ice -- and already hit Twitter to express their excitement. But will the fans be there to welcome them?
It's a beautiful day for Hockey. #GameOn #missthegame
— Claude Giroux (@28CGiroux) January 6, 2013
The past is the past... lets move forward and start enjoying the best game on the planet!! Hockey is back and I love it!!!
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) January 6, 2013
Thanks/sorry Fans media and everyone affected by this lockout. Never a fun situation. Now lets go play some hockey !
— Max Talbot (@Max25talbot) January 6, 2013
Best** Serbian Christmas present
— Milan Lucic (@MilanLucic4) January 6, 2013
I just want to sing from a mountaintop!!
— Patrick Dwyer (@pattydwyer39) January 6, 2013
We're back! And I thought Team USA winning the gold was the best news. Can't wait to go to Columbus and start the NHL season! #LockoutIsOver
— Jack Johnson (@JackJohnson3) January 6, 2013
So excited to get back to Edmonton. See you soon Oiler fans!!!!
— Taylor Hall (@hallsy04) January 6, 2013
To the fans that won't come back, I can understand. To the ones that will, thank you for your patience. Welcome back NHL hockey.
— Paul Bissonnette (@BizNasty2point0) January 6, 2013
First order of business: raise banner.
— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 6, 2013
From SportsNation:
- Benadore: "I really like hockey, and I love playoff hockey, but the NHL has done its fans and the sport a disservice. There is a lot of blame to go around, but stupid actions like missing half a season really hurt with the casual fan, or the family that goes to 3 games a year. Those fans are going to take years to get back, and they had just started coming back after the last debacle."
- cajun300c: "Will watch on TV but will not attend any games this season. My version of payback for this mess."
- blmanteufel: "was there any apology to fans in this, If there is I missed it. Now how about all teams dropping ticket prices, concessions, and parking......they wont, cause they still dont care"
- klocekak: "For all you whinnig about not going to spend a cent: WE DONT CARE, us real hockey fans are happy were getting hockey this year. Be thankful they sat in a room for 17 hours so we could get a season instead of nothing."
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