Here’s the scoop!
- The Vermilion County Bobcats, a minor professional ice hockey team in Illinois, failed to show up for a game and later announced they had “ceased operations.”
- The Quad City Storm, their opponents, declared the game a forfeit and invited fans onto the ice for some entertainment.
- The Bobcats had a poor record and were struggling financially before ceasing operations, leaving the Southern Professional Hockey League with 10 teams.
Ice hockey fans in Danville, Illinois were left disappointed when the Vermilion County Bobcats failed to show up for their game against the Quad City Storm. Videos on social media showed the Quad’s team ready to play on one side of the rink, while the other side remained empty. After a delay, the game was declared a forfeit, and the visiting team invited fans to skate on the ice to salvage their experience.
The Bobcats’ absence was not entirely surprising, given their struggling financial and performance records. The team had lost 77 out of 86 games in its two-year existence, and the Southern Professional Hockey League confirmed that the team had “ceased operations” following the no-show incident.
The Quad City Storm of the SPHL had a game vs the Vermilion County Bobcats. One problem, the Bobcats never showed up.
— Hockey Of Tomorrow (@HockeyTomorrow) February 8, 2023
It appears the Bobcats owner wasn't been getting them their checks on time.
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“That is really what minor pro sports is all about. 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”. Despite the disappointment, Quad City president Brian Rothenberger emphasized that such moments highlight the spirit of minor professional sports.
Source: news.sky.com
I’m sure the kids on the no-show team were just as disappointed not getting to play a slated game. Living in a state that taxes parents and businesses beyond belief surely had nothing to do with their financial short fall. Just let them know the true reason is parents keep electing fiscally irresponsible democrats.