If you need a hockey fix and you can't wait for the NHL and NHLPA to get their act together, there will be a local game involving NHL players.
The WFCU Centre, home of the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires, will host a charity hockey game on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Many of the Detroit Red Wings who have been skating at the Troy Sports Center are expected to take part in the event, which will benefit local charities.
Among the players expected to play in the NHLPA Charity Hockey Game are Red Wings Todd Bertuzzi, Jimmy Howard, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Ian White, Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Cory Emmerton, Jonas Gustavsson and Danny Cleary.
Some non-Red Wings will also be skating in the charity game, including Pittsburgh's James Neal, Dallas' Brenden Morrow, Phoenix's Keith Yandle, Chicago's Jamal Mayers, Edmonton's Eric Belanger, Colorado's Ryan Wilson, Buffalo's Steve Ott and Edmonton's Shawn Horcoff.
There will be three 20-minute stop-time periods in the game.
"We are excited to get a few of the NHL stars on the ice for what will be a fantastic night of hockey in Windsor," said Jason Toner, Global Spectrum Facility Management's general manager of events at the WFCU Centre, in a news release. "Not only will the NHLPA Charity Hockey Game be a memorable night for the city of Windsor, but it is also a great way to support local organizations that will reach out and help so many members of the community during this holiday season."
Tickets will go on sale to the general public Thursday at 10 a.m. at the TekSavvy.com box office inside the WFCU Centre, by phone at (866) 969-WFCU (9328) or online at wfcu-centre.com. Tickets are $41.75 C$ or $137 C$ for a family four-pack plus service charges.
Spitfires season-ticket holders and WFCU Cyber Club members can buy tickets now. Fans can join the Cyber Club at wfcu-centre.com.
In the event that the NHL and NHLPA reach an agreement before 5 p.m. on Dec. 6, the NHLPA Charity Hockey Game will be canceled and refunds will be available.
