Rapid City, SD – The Rapid City Rush, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Calgary Flames, announced Saturday morning that the team’s home game against the Tahoe Knight Monsters has been postponed due to a strike by the Professional Hockey Players Association.

The work stoppage follows a strike notice served by the PHPA earlier this week after negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement reached an impasse. All ticket holders for Saturday’s game will be able to exchange their tickets for a future home game. Despite the postponement of the hockey game, scheduled Bluey Meet and Greets will still take place in the Fine Arts Theatre at their originally scheduled times.

The ECHL released a statement regarding the labor dispute, noting that the union’s decision to initiate a strike forced the postponement. League officials stated they are working to have a team on the ice for the next regularly scheduled game on Sunday, December 28th.

According to the ECHL, its latest offer to players included a 20 percent salary increase, an increased per-diem rate, increase in salary cap, additional guaranteed off days, and expanded equipment options.

The ECHL “strongly encouraged union leadership to submit our offer to a vote of its membership, but we do not believe that happened.”

PHPA leadership previously cited “Over the course of negotiations, the league has resisted basic player safety and working condition issues. ” The union stated it is seeking standards that allow players to maintain sustainable professional careers.

Rush officials advise fans that advertisements for upcoming games may still be visible due to the unpredictable timing of the strike, but those advertisements do not guarantee the games will be played as scheduled.