The Deeside Ducks game away at Laidler Division leaders Sutton Sting on Saturday was postponed after Ducks officials decided not to travel amid concerns about worsening weather conditions.
With the game not scheduled to face
off until 7pm, extreme weather warnings in place from the Met Office and
widespread snow forecast, it was felt that a late night drive home from Sheffield
across the Pennines would represent potential safety risks to the travelling
players.
Speaking of the decision, Ducks Head
Coach Gary Shaw said:
“The Ducks game against Sutton was
called off by the Ducks management for safety reasons, with the players driving
themselves to the game and with a lot of our players inexperienced drivers in
bad weather.”
“The forecast for heavy snow on the
high ground and the late finish of the game, we decided that, with the risk of
the players safety driving in these conditions, it was more important than
fulfilling the game.”
“As a person that has driven for a
living, it was an easy decision to make for the protection of the players. I
understand the frustration from Sutton as it is a nightmare trying to rearrange
a game at the Sheffield Rink due to the amount of teams playing there but the
decision was not made lightly.”
“Looking after our players is paramount
and, if the decision was reversed, I would support and respect it.”
Attempts will now be made to try and reschedule
the game for another date – although that might be difficult with the amount of teams
that use the ice at the iceSheffield venue.
If that is not possible and the game can’t
be fitted in before the end of the season, the sport’s governing body – England
Ice Hockey – will have to decide whether to award it as a forfeit win or a non-fault draw
in the league standings.
