January 18 blizzard puts halt to hockey across region

Leagues across the province had to postpone their games Jan. 18, as a blizzard wrecked havoc with roads across Manitoba.

The first cancellation came at Providence College, as poor driving conditions earlier in the weekend prevented North Dakota’s Trinity Bible College from visiting for a scheduled double-header Jan. 16/17. The college did manage to host futsal at the on-campus gym in Otterburne, but matchups against Canadian Mennonite University had to be put on hold.

All games scheduled in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for the 18th were cancelled, including a high-profile showdown between the Steinbach Pistons and Portage Terriers at the Southeast Event Centre. Those two teams are in a battle for second in their division.

The Pistons/Terriers game was quickly re-scheduled for Feb. 7, with an 8 p.m. puck drop. Tickets from the 18th will honoured by the team.

The U18 AAA Selects had a game against Brandon cancelled on the 18th as well.

The Pembina Valley Twisters had both of their games over the weekend post-poned. In the Capital Junior Hockey League, St Malo and La Broquerie were set to play games on the 18th in St Jean and Beausejour respectively, but both were cancelled.

In the Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League, East St Paul was set to visit Niverville, but was cancelled.

The cancellations mean an even tougher time for leagues who are still playing make-up games from the mid-December storm.