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08:21 AM ET 12.11 | Nearly from the outset, fan loyalty has been part of the lockout, used on both sides -- by owners hoping they will return to the game they love, and by players who hope a "we just want to play" mantra strikes a chord with them in both rapid and tepid hockey markets. Hockey fans across Canada are fed up with the NHL lockout and are bitter enough to walk away from the game they love, according to a recent poll. A whopping 76% of Canadians identifying themselves as fans of NHL hockey feel this season will be "lost entirely," and almost half said "they would be less likely to attend a game as a result of the lockout," according to an Abacus Data survey conducted this past weekend.

Phil Kessel, Getty Images

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December 11, 2012 08:28 AM ET

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If this was NFL or MLB in the states, people would be losing their marbles this close to cancelling a season. I'm really not getting that feeling here. At all. Forget the casual fan in the States. The league is seriously jeopardizing its base. Cancel the season, I don't think you're getting them all back this time.

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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December 11, 2012 08:29 AM ET

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And did they HAVE to put a Kessel pic up? Come on man.

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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December 11, 2012 08:36 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:29 AM ET 12.11 by dannylimes

And did they HAVE to put a Kessel pic up? Come on man.

Even Phil's not interested. Taking up golf.

Slapshot

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December 11, 2012 08:42 AM ET

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Fan Boycott!!!

hbomb

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December 11, 2012 09:01 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:29 AM ET 12.11 by dannylimes

And did they HAVE to put a Kessel pic up? Come on man.

Yep. They just lost the last 24%.

Canuck eh?

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December 11, 2012 09:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:28 AM ET 12.11 by dannylimes

If this was NFL or MLB in the states, people would be losing their marbles this close to cancelling a season.

Having lived in the US for 12 years, I would respectfully disagree. A MLB shut down would not be nearly as big a deal as you suggest.

BGDave

Bowling Green , KY

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December 11, 2012 09:04 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:29 AM ET 12.11 by dannylimes

And did they HAVE to put a Kessel pic up? Come on man.

They used his photo because he is the only player who has NOT opened his yap and said something stooopid during this unfortunate lockout.

BGDave

Bowling Green , KY

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December 11, 2012 09:22 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:04 AM ET 12.11 by BGDave

They used his photo because he is the only player who has NOT opened his yap and said something stooopid during this unfortunate lockout.

Nobody woke him up. He doesn't know there's a lockout.

Canuck eh?

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December 11, 2012 09:22 AM ET

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Last season i had spent big bucks on NHL related gift items; This year zero. I did buy a MALKIN/MAGNETOGOSK Sweater

Wasburg

Aliquippa , PA

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December 11, 2012 09:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:03 AM ET 12.11 by BGDave

Having lived in the US for 12 years, I would respectfully disagree. A MLB shut down would not be nearly as big a deal as you suggest.

You sure? Last time it happened, they didn't recover for 5 years...

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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December 11, 2012 09:34 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:22 AM ET 12.11 by Canuck eh?

Nobody woke him up. He doesn't know there's a lockout.

Somebody bring him a chocolate milk. Philip only awakens with a chocolate milk.

dannylimes

Toronto, ON

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December 11, 2012 09:43 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:34 AM ET 12.11 by dannylimes

Somebody bring him a chocolate milk. Philip only awakens with a chocolate milk.

Even with a chocolate milk wakeup he won't be going to any meetings.

He heard they're being held in a corner office.

Canuck eh?

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December 11, 2012 09:44 AM ET

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And once the games start 95% of die hard fans will be back. Ho hum

Nard Dog

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December 11, 2012 09:45 AM ET

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QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:44 AM ET 12.11 by Nard Dog

And once the games start 95% of die hard fans will be back. Ho hum

Sadly you're right. It's a great game and true fans will return.

hbomb

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December 11, 2012 09:52 AM ET

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Major Screw up alert !! A caller to a Calgary radio show stated last week that the Flames had actually sent out quarterly invoices to season ticket holders.....WTF ??? If i was a season ticket holder that invoice would now be firmly stuffed up Ken Kings nether region !

Harry Crack

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December 11, 2012 10:04 AM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:43 AM ET 12.11 by Canuck eh?

Even with a chocolate milk wakeup he won't be going to any meetings.He heard they're being held in a corner office.

Touche, **** Cat!

Golden Bay

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December 11, 2012 10:05 AM ET

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QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:04 AM ET 12.11 by Golden Bay

Touche, **** Cat!

Seriously?

Golden Bay

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December 11, 2012 10:22 AM ET

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QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 09:52 AM ET 12.11 by Harry Crack

Major Screw up alert !! A caller to a Calgary radio show stated last week that the Flames had actually sent out quarterly invoices to season ticket holders.....WTF ??? If i was a season ticket holder that invoice would now be firmly stuffed up Ken Kings nether region !

Nothing else to do in Alberta, might as well milk the Chets.