Andrew Ference is not pleased that games had to be called off and believes a division among the owners is the only way to a fair solution. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman only needs seven other owners along with him to impose a lockout, so there would need to be quite a change of heart to change the course. "It's disappointing because in most any other business you would continue working while negotiating a new union contract," . "They were not forced to cancel games, it is voluntary by them. I remain optimistic that there are a number of owners who are just as unhappy as the players with this work stoppage -- and that they will be more vocal in their private talks with the league."