It's official -- for the fourth time in 20 years, the National Hockey League has locked out its players.

And it's not just hockey fans that are feeling the impact.

But also small businesses -- restaurants, bars set to potentially lose millions of dollars across the province.

But CKNW's Dave Pratt says there could also be some big local winners -- namely junior hockey teams like the Vancouver Giants.

"The desire for high-level entertaining hockey is still here, it's not going away... and they will be the best game in town."

SFU's Lindsay Meredith says the lockout speaks to a simple marketing concept.

"It's a lot better to basically bicker and fight internally, but whatever you do - get along and keep providing the product. Because ultimately, you're serving customers and don't make them mad - because they'll walk."