With the end of the NHL lockout in sight, the Buffalo Sabres are ready to hit the ice. YNN's Don Heins is at the First Niagara Center with more.

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Now that it's over, the Sabres had their first chance, and had some questions to answer. Their level of support for the lockout was questioned from day one, but every club did vote to authorize it. And many fans are looking for an explanation.

"We're a member club and sometimes we need to do what we think is in the best interest of the entire league, even though it might not be in our self-interest," said Sabres president Ted Black.

"Certainly the fans are entitled to an apology from everyone involved in this, and on behalf of the Pegulas and the Sabres, we do apologize that the fans have to go through this. The thing I'm most excited about is that this potentially will be a 10-year collective bargaining agreement; we don't have to go through this stuff for a long time."

That spoke volumes. Ted Black provided and apology, and used the words "even though it might not be in our self-interest."

Now, on the question of will the fans come back? There's 19,000 seats at the First Niagara Center. Thirty accounts have cancelled their tickets. There's 3,000 on the waiting list, so here in Buffalo, it won't be a problem, and maybe the arena will even have an extra jump.

Click on the video below to watch the press conference with Ted Black and general manager Darcy Regier.

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