Fans were filled with anticipation for a minor league hockey game and everything was set to go when the visiting team kicked off with some warmups on the ice. The national anthem could be heard on the speakers and officials were ready to launch the game just when they had a major realization — the home team failed to show up for the game.
It was an unusual sight at a Southern Professional Hockey League game in Danville, Illinois, between the visiting Quad City Storm and home team Vermilion County Bobcats. After a two-minute delay of game penalty and a five-minute waiting period, the game was announced as a forfeit.
Vermilion County’s coach did not show up and there was no athletic trainer on site. The only person present was captain Adam Eby who was able to play the game.
Fans paid $7 to $13 per ticket for a game that never took place. The visiting team tried to make the best of the situation by inviting fans onto the ice for a group skate. After some time, they hit the road for their three-hour drive back home.
“It was a very weird weekend,” Quad City president Brian Rothenberger said. “Certainly one of the most bizarre (things) I’ve seen.”
Rothenberger joined players and coaches on this trip because he had a feeling the situation might take a turn for the worse. “It hurt me so bad to watch the arena, which was not their fault, keep selling tickets to a game that they had a gut feeling and knowing darn well it wasn’t going to happen,” he said. “It’s sad.”
The visiting team stopped by McDonald’s for some beverages on the way back and called it day. They still showed up despite a poor display of sportsmanship on the other team.
“That is really what minor pro sports is all about,” Rothenberger said. “They were excited to be able to do it. I think it meant a lot to the fans that were there, especially some of the younger kids looking forward to that skate.
“They still got to do it and hope that can kind of keep that hockey interest up and see if they can move forward getting things, a little more stability, I guess, there in Vermilion County moving forward.”
Source: https://twitter.com/icetimecleve/status/1622361636303519746