Boston Bruins' Tim Thomas (30) makes a save in front of Vancouver Canucks' Christopher Higgins (20) in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Boston, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Updated: Sunday, 06 Jan 2013, 1:58 PM EST
Published : Sunday, 06 Jan 2013, 1:24 PM EST
WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Hockey fans are rejoicing. The National Hockey League is finally back.
It took four months that cost more than half of the season but hockey fans are just happy to see it back. “I think that’s great I really missed hockey especially the beginning of the year here,” said David Deane of Wilbraham.
Hockey is a family sport for the Deane’s. He played, his kids played, and now his grandson.
“Having a grandson learning how to skate makes it a little more exciting,” said Deane.
It wasn't easy though, it took 113 days and dozens of meetings but a compromise was reached.
For fans waiting, it seemed the battle that centered around the pension plan and income took the joy out of the game. “I really don't put the blame on anybody. It's money, it's greed, it's not the way the game used to be played that's the bottom line it's all in the dough, “ said Rick Nelson of Springfield.
With the agreement finally in place, games could be back on by mid-January.
The moment they hit the ice, fans big and small will be cheering to see their favorite team once again. Including the Deane family who plans to make the newest Bruin fan, “We're hoping to get the three year old that's out there, we're hoping to get him out to a game.”
After a long road, the NHL is relearning the basics like these kids--If you fall down you get back up.
As of Sunday afternoon, the players’ association and the NHL still had to sign the agreement to finalize the plan.
Advertisement
Email This
Print This
View Story on a Single Page
