Local watering holes are hoping an end to the NHL lockout will mean a boost to bar revenue.
But like making up after a bad breakup, bar managers will have to wait to see if fans are ready to fall back in love with Canada's game.
ìAs a business we do promote that the NHL is back,î said Allen Reinhart, assistant general manager of Innisfail Boston Pizza, striking an optimistic tone. ìIt's going to have a great effect on business. You have more people come in, and it's pretty straightforward from there.î
Though NHL fan traffic has largely dropped off, fans of other sports have filled the void, he said, noting he can't wait for those customers to return to the sports lounge.
ìThe atmosphere did change,î he said. ìI'll be glad to see the original faces come back to Boston Pizza.î
John May, the Bowden Hotel manager, is a veteran of three NHL labour disputes now.
ìI've been here for 20 years,î he said. ìIt does hurt us a little bit, but not much.î
He plans to show the games on their two big screen TVs and five smaller sized sets.
ìI'll be showing the games when they're here,î he said. ìMaybe we'll get some customers in to watch a game or two.î
Then again, this time there's been animosity building towards the league, he's noticed.
ìA lot of guys I talk to around here say ëScrew it. We're not watching it,'î he said. ìBut if their team starts doing good they might start watching.î
Mike Parkin, bar manager at The Zoo, expects business to grow as the lockout finally comes to an end, though he knows his cheers for the Bruins will most likely be drowned out by the Calgary, Edmonton and scattered Vancouver fans.
ìI think having hockey back on is great,î he said. ìA lot of people watch the games.î
Kristen Spatz, night manager at the Fox & Hound, says the bar will play games both upstairs and downstairs. ìA lot of people are mad at the NHL,î she said. ìThey might try not to watch it.î
The fan frustration comes from devotees feeling underappreciated as players and owners squabbled over their cash, she says.
ìThey're just trying to prove a point,î she said. ìThey're saying ëAll this money you're fighting over comes from us.'î
