NHL, union try another round

MONTREAL — The National Hockey League and players’ association got back to the bargaining table Tuesday, one week after trading barbs about who was to blame for the lack of progress in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

The sides met for 6 1/2 hours before a World Cup of Hockey tournament game between the United States and Canada (won by Canada, 2-1) and are scheduled to conclude their two-day session today.

Both the league and the union declined comment until the conclusion of the meeting, just as they did after Day 1 of a two-day session last week in Ottawa.

It was after that round of talks that the NHL claimed that the players’ association was stalling and wanted to force the owners to impose a lockout when the current collective bargaining agreement expires Sept. 15.

The NHLPA denied the charge and said the league will only accept a deal that includes a hard salary cap, a solution upon which the players refuse to agree.