They were locked out by the owners. The owners miscalculated the resolve of the players. It was a costly misjudgment. They believed the players, after missing a paycheck, perhaps two, would give up and return to work. A total of 468 games were canceled before play resumed Jan. 20, 1995.
Today is the third anniversary.
The NHL shortened the season to 48 games and extended the regular season to May 3, well past the point when the Stanley Cup playoffs usually begin. When the meetings ended and the players left the room, there were cameras and microphones everywhere. Goodenow cites two reasons for the players' intensity and involvement, something the owners probably didn't expect. The owners had locked us out for months. Two, hockey players stick together.