Manitobans are attaching equal blame to both owners and players for the disruption in NHL hockey this season, according to a recent poll.

Prairie Research Associates polled 802 Manitobans between December 5 and 12 and found 41 per cent of Manitobans believe hockey players and team owners are equally to blame for the games cancelled so far this season. Another 21 per cent blamed the owners and a further 21 per cent blamed players. Another 17 percent said they didn't know and/or didn't care who was at fault for the labour deadlock.

The poll results are considered accurate within 3.5 per cent 19 times out of 20.

About three Manitobans in 10 (28 percent) said they attended a Winnipeg Jets hockey game last season.

Diehard hockey fans expressed strong feelings about the NHL lockout. "Fans report that they feel upset, angry, or disgusted (39 per cent), feel the lockout was 'greedy' (14 per cent) or are disappointed (13 per cent)," PRA said.

Almost 40 per cent of those surveyed said they filling their time without hockey by watching movies on television (37 per cent) or watching other sports.

Manitobans responding to the poll also said money they have not spent on hockey has been absorbed into regular spending, held for next year's tickets, or deposited into savings.

A total of 625 NHL games have been cancelled because of the current lockout, which, so far, represents 50.8 per cent of the season.