NHL cancels Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium

The National Hockey League Winter Classic that was supposed to be held at Michigan Stadium on January First has been canceled.

About 110,000 people won't be watching the game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Ann Arbor on New Year's Day.

The NHL says the game's been canceled because the players and owners can't come to a collective bargaining agreement.

Michigan Radio sports commentator John U. Bacon says those fans would have spent big bucks.

"They will stay in hotels, eat meals and drink beer, as they are wont to do," Bacon says. "So for Michigan and Ann Arbor, it's definitely a big loser, and it's a crater in the middle of your schedule.  Even dumber, however, this indicates that even the owners do not think the season is going to happen. This is a bad knell for hockey fans."

Ticket refunds will be handled by the NHL, Red Wings and Maple Leafs.

U-M says the NHL has committed to the 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.