Hockeyville will play on without the NHL

Stirling has lost their preseason game, but plans for celebrations continue.

QNet News reporter Sarah Armour has the story.

Stirling’s pre-season game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets has been postponed for another year.

Kraft announced Stirling as the winner of its Hockeyville contest on April 1. Stirling’s prizes for winning Hockeyville included $100, 000 in arena upgrades, a CBC “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcast from the community and an opportunity to host a NHL pre-season game.

Due to the NHL lockout, the league cancelled all pre-season games through Sept. 30.

Cindy Brandt, Stirling’s chair of Hockeyville, said the pre-scheduled celebrations beginning Sept. 30 will go on as planned. The Stanley Cup will make its way through Stirling in the parade to celebrate being named Hockeyville. Residents are continuing their support, by decorating the exterior of their houses in hockey items, and the town’s own Stirling Blue’s jerseys.