The NHL lockout persists and every day without a deal means less hockey. The Outdoor Winter Classic was recently cancelled and CBC has been forced to show replays of Classic Hockey Nights in Canada to make up for the longing, but one event couldn’t be taken away on Monday night: the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

2012 Inductees Sundin, Bure, Oates and Sakic show off their new Honoured Member blazers. #HHOF http://pic.twitter.com/QEObV6KwNHL

What an awesome class of players going into the HOF next week. Sakic-Legend, Bure-Rocket, Oates-Team Player, Sundin-Only decent Leaf #HOFGraham DeLaet

About to watch the greatest Leaf receive the greatest honor. #HHOF. Great player. Better person http://yfrog.com/h4nrdtpwjMatt Nichol

And while it was a night of accolades and praises, any hockey-related events are tough to overshadow the lockout.

Feel sorry the current hockey #HOF class is being overshadowed by the lockout mess. They deserve betterAndy Strickland

Breaking News: Gary Bettman asks class of 2012 to accept much smaller Hall of Fame plaques than the ones previously agreed to. #hofSid Seixeiro

Neither Bettman nor Fehr should show up at Hall of Fame festivities. They both should be too embarrassed.Damien Cox

And thanks to Twitter and Candice Cameron Bure (wife of Valeri Bure and, yes, DJ Tanner from the sitcom Full House), social media got a brief behind the scenes look at the Bure’s.

Happy to be in Toronto & even more excited to watch my brother in law be inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame tmrw! #HHOFBure #HallofFameCandace Cameron Bure

Bure Brothers. Crazy memories on & off the ice. Love you both #HHOF http://instagr.am/p/R8hiRbp8QH/Candace Cameron Bure

Hockey awesomeness!!! #HHOF http://instagr.am/p/R8dB-Kp8bc/Candace Cameron Bure

Family photo – including Val’s mom. #HHOF http://instagr.am/p/R8cRyKp8a7/Candace Cameron Bure

Pavel Bure was nasty. Went around lidstrom twice like he was a pylon. And that never happened. #HHOF #russianrocketJohn Mitchell

"Hockey is the greatest game in the world." – Pavel Bure opening his Induction speech. #HHOFNHL

Great job by Bure in his speech by showing equal respect to each team he played for. #HOFShaun Tomko

Watching this #HHOF induction ceremony and all of the hockey clips is making me miss hockey that much more. #Sundin #bure #sakic #oatesCara Longeway

No notes in front of Adam Oates during HOF induction speech. Impressive. #hofSid Seixeiro

Oates met his wife Donna late in his career. "I wish we met earlier," he said, "so I could show you I was a better player." Great line.Dan Rosen

And then the night turned a bit sour when Gary Bettman, the NHL commissioner (and the man largely blamed for the current lockout), came up to say a few words. Fans at home weren’t impressed.

Hey Gary, we are all watching and booing you and @NHL. Just so you know. #HHOF*JAY*

Ew. Get him off stage #HHOFPaula

I’m boo-ing at my TV. I feel like Bettman can hear me. #HHOFLacey Larissa

I’d turn my hatred for Bettman down 1 notch if he’d stop talking and leave the building #HHOFDeborah Burke

Six people clapped for Gary Bettman’s introduction to the podium. #HHOFPutting On The Foil

Gery Bettman get sarcastic claps at the #HHOF tonightRoger Robert Smith

I’m surprised everyone didn’t start booing Bettman #HHOFRiley Aisman

Sit down Gary Bettman, we’ve heard more than enough from you. And please don’t call it "our game."steve simmons

So that’s what Bettman’s voice sounds like. It’s usually drowned out by boos. #hhofHosea Cheung

From the sounds of the happenings across way at HHOF, several cream pies were confiscated from former players on way in. #bettmanGreg Brady

And when the night focused back on the hockey players, fans were happy again to see their old hockey heroes.

I tune in the HHOF ceremony when they are inducting Joe Sakic, the only part I care about. #SuperJoe what a player!Jake Murad

I’ve said this before, but I’d wager about one-third of today’s pro hockey players list Joe Sakic as their favorite player. #HHOFAaron Sims

Joe Sakic – "the reality of his accomplishments has far exceeded the hype" #hhof @tsnjamesduthieJeff Riddall

"I was supposed to be too small and too slow" – Joe Sakic. Never listen to the haters, prove them wrong. #HHOFCause We’re Canadian

And finally, it was time for the former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin to take the stage.

Greatest Leaf ever is up next! Number 13, Mats Sundin #HHOFSarkis PC

Mats Sundin is next! Toronto, stand up! #HHOFSteph L

A night that I will never forget! #Sundin #HHOF #GreatestCaptain #LeafsLegend @MapleLeafs http://pic.twitter.com/GD0DfMpKdante di francesco†

To the confusion of some, Sundin was introduced by Daniel Alfredsson. The two are both from Sweden, but Leafs fans remember “Alfie” better as the captain for their hated rivals, the Ottawa Senators.

Alfredsson introduces Sundin at the HHOF. Someone’s idea of a joke?scorpshockey

Wow. Leaf fans. How will you take this? Alfie introducing Mats. #HHOFSteve Lloyd

Even Mats thought that Alfie tribute was awkward. #HHOFKathy

I know I hate nhl now but this HHOF induction of Mats Sundin is awesome!!Lenito

Last but not least Leaf Great Matt Sundin enters the#HHOF Welcome to the Great Hall Welcome home 13 http://yfrog.com/kkxfypujCouncillor Grimes

Hall of Fame class of 2012 take escalator to officially sign the HHOF membership. Dope. #2012HHOF http://pic.twitter.com/gqe1XZ38Steven Hoffner

And now back to the bargaining table.