Puck Problems: NHL Cancels Preseason Leading Up to Impending Lockout

Wednesday Night the NFL Labor issues were taken care of between the owners and NFL Officials.  Now the focus is on the NHL Lockout. Thursday the NHL announced that they have canceled the remainder of the pre-season schedule.

The league had already canceled the first week of the pre-season last week. The two sides in the NHL labor issue are expected to meet in New York City, it will mark the first meeting since the the players were locked out nearly two weeks ago.

Commissioner Gary Bettman and the owners ordered the lockout when the previous labor agreement expired.  Both sides don’t agree on how to split the revenue.

The Minnesota Wild have yet to open camp, due to the lockout but a former UMD Bulldog will be skating at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul this weekend.  Hockey will be played at the “X”.

The Houston Aeros of the AHL will be starting training camp in St. Paul, starting today and Justin Fontaine will be there taking part, this will be his 2^nd season with Houston.

The team will skate, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and hold scrimmages as well that are open to the public.  The Houston Areos are the top minor league team for the Wild.

Fontaine, the former Bulldog was one of their top scorers last year, with 16 goals and 39 assists for a total of 55 points.  He was a key player for UMD when they won the NCAA Championship in 2011.

One other hockey note, the UMD women’s hockey team opens their season tonight, with an exhibition game vs. the Minnesota Whitecaps, at Amsoil Arena.  The Whitecaps are a team that features some former Olympic skaters.  Game time Friday is 7pm, and Saturday at 3pm.