U.S. President Barack Obama urges NHL and NHLPA to end lockout

LOS ANGELES, - Barack Obama is urging the NHL and its players to resolve their labour dispute.

During an appearance on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno on Wednesday, the U.S. president took time to answer questions submitted from viewers and the studio audience.

One fan from Los Angeles asked Obama if he could pull any strings to end the NHL's work stoppage.

"You know, I do have a comment on this," said Obama, who is campaigning for re-election. "Every time these things happen I just want to remind the owners and players: You guys make money because you've got a whole bunch of fans out there who are working really hard—they buy tickets, they're watching on TV.

"You all should be able to figure this out. Get this done. The fans deserve it."

It's not the first time Obama has weighed in on a sports labour dispute.

The president sent a tweet a month ago urging the NFL and its officials to end their lockout.

"NFL fans on both sides of the aisle hope the refs' lockout is settled soon," he tweeted after a mistake by a replacement official decided the outcome of a game between Seattle and Green Bay.

The lockout ended a few days later.

The NHL lockout has lasted 40 days. All regular-season games through Nov. 1 have been wiped off the schedule, with more cancellations expected to come before the end of the week.

All was quiet between the two sides Thursday, the final day before an NHL-imposed deadline to make a deal with the NHL Players' Association and preserve a full hockey season.

A partial season remains a possibility. No new talks are scheduled.

The U.S. presidential election is Nov. 6.