Fayetteville Force Leaving Crown Coliseum

Fayetteville hockey fans could be in for a slapshot — in the face, as it appears the Force will not be back next season.

The majority owner of the team has laid off employees, packed up and left the Crown Coliseum. Owner Lynn Nathan is trying to move the team from the

Central Hockey League

to the

East Coast Hockey League

. CHL officials have refused to let that happen.

Now members of the Civic Center Commission have called an emergency meeting for Tuesday to vote on the Force's lease.

"I think the Civic Center Commission will take strong action and then aggressively pursue a new owner whose word and signature really means something," says George Breece, civic center commissioner.

The East Coast Hockey League is an attractive choice for Force owners because it is closely affiliated with NHL teams. It is also a regional league that could save the team money in travel expenses.