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FILE - In this file photo taken Sept. 17, 2012, the NHL logo is seen on a goal at a Nashville Predators practice rink in Nashville, Tenn. The NHL eliminated 16 more days from the regular-season schedule Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, and if a deal with the players\' association isn\'t reached soon the whole season could be lost. The league wiped out all games through Dec. 30 in its latest round of cancellations. Negotiations between the league and the players\' association broke off last week, but NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Sunday the sides are trying to restart talks this week. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, file)

Frustrated hockey fans fed up with NHL ongoing labour strife, vow to stay away; but will they?

NHL fans are getting fed up with the ongoing lockout.

Some supporters have started grass roots efforts to pledge they won’t return when the labour strife is settled. Los Angeles hockey fan Steve Chase started the “Just Drop It” campaign that encourages fans to boycott one NHL game for every game cancelled after Dec. 21st.

No tickets, no TV, no merchandise. They won’t spend a minute watching games or spend a dime on the league.

Penguins star Sidney Crosby understands why fans are upset over the third lockout in Commissioner Gary Bettman’s 20-year tenure. He says it’s pretty easy for fans, players and management to feel frustrated over the lockout.

History shows the fans will return. The NHL totalled a record 21,468,121 fans in 2011-12, seven years after a lockout wiped out a full season.

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