No National Hockey League games on TV? You might think Greater Victoria sports bars have been crying the blues.

But as they prepare to welcome back fans of the Canucks, Habs, Flames and other NHL teams, the fact they arenB次元官网网址檛 sorely hurting is a testament to the resiliency of local operators. That, and the fact many establishments donB次元官网网址檛 expect to see larger crowds for games on TV until closer to playoff time.

Nonetheless, last weekendB次元官网网址檚 announcement that a deal was reached that would end the 113-day lockout is a good tonic for the traditional post-New YearB次元官网网址檚 doldrums.

B次元官网网址淏ecause of football and other specials we had on, weB次元官网网址檝e been continuously hiring. But January is a slower month,B次元官网网址� said Candace Norris, general manager of the Shark Club Sports Bar and Grill on Douglas Street.

B次元官网网址淗aving hockey come back now is probably the best time it could have come back.B次元官网网址�

Details are still being hammered out, but word is the league is preparing for a 48-game season to start Saturday, Jan. 19 B次元官网网址� with the potential for some major regional rivals to meet opening night. That could see this regionB次元官网网址檚 most-watched team, the Vancouver Canucks, take on Calgary, for example.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of talk about people boycotting, but I think people will come back pretty quick,B次元官网网址� Norris said.

Maude HunterB次元官网网址檚 Pub on Shelbourne Street, not far from both the University of Victoria and Camosun College, thrives at this time of year, when students return for another semester.

And manager Norm Wilson said the lockout B次元官网网址渄idnB次元官网网址檛 really affect us whatsoever.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 think people are going to go out no matter what (if they have money). Where we would have really felt it would be more in playoff time,B次元官网网址� he said.

Even if the lockoutB次元官网网址檚 effects have been minimal, Wilson admitted thereB次元官网网址檒l likely be a few extra patrons sticking around on game nights.

While the effects on VancouverB次元官网网址檚 hospitality industry have been significant, Darren Cross, manager of the Station House Pub in Langford, said the Island has felt a trickle down effect.

B次元官网网址淭he industry is roughly down 20 per cent,B次元官网网址� he said, qualifying that the drop is not entirely due to the absence of hockey on TV.

Cross estimates that business might have been 10 per cent higher on a night where the Canucks or Montreal were playing the 7 p.m. Saturday game.

At the Strathcona Hotel in downtown Victoria, which counts dozens of screens in its various bars, co-owner Grant Olson estimates bigger losses relating to the hockey lockout.

B次元官网网址淚 was saying the other day that the overall impact (to us) might be $250,000 or even $300,000 in revenue if you lose the whole season and playoffs,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淲e might have lost a third of that at this point. The fact they can do a 48-game season and we still get the playoffs, thatB次元官网网址檚 kind of the better chunk of the pie to get.B次元官网网址�

Where the hotelB次元官网网址檚 bars have noticed the biggest difference is in the absence of hockey fans who might stick around to watch the last period of a late game and order a little more, he said.

Olson, a hockey fan himself, said people are generally excited about the return of the NHL.

B次元官网网址淭he hockey fans are hockey fans,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hese winters are long and cold and hockey provides good entertainment, whether your teamB次元官网网址檚 Detroit or Vancouver.B次元官网网址�

All the pubs the B次元官网网址 spoke to were planning special events to coincide with the opening night.

It may just be like the playoffs coming early.

editor@vicnews.com