The biggest challenge facing the Battlefords North Stars this season seems to be just being able to get the club on the ice to play a game.
It now looks unlikely they will host the Flin Flon Bombers on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Civic Centre. Now comes the latest word from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League that games scheduled for this weekend versus the Melfort Mustangs have definitely been postponed, due to a COVID-19 exposure involving a player who is not identified.
Those games were scheduled for Nov. 27 in Melfort and Nov. 28 in the Battlefords. The Mustangs had previous postponed a game on Nov. 21 versus La Longe.
These are the fourth and fifth North Stars regular season games to be postponed this season. Previously, a game on opening weekend versus Kindersley was cancelled due to bad weather and two home games scheduled against the Flin Flon Bombers this past weekend were also postponed.
The Bombers had been seeking government approval to move all its games to Saskatchewan, given the Code Red lockdown situation in Manitoba. According to a Nov. 19 story in the Flin Flon Reminder, the club submitted a plan to Saskatchewan Health to billet all players in Saskatchewan, play all games on the road, and practice at the Creighton Sportex on the Saskatchewan side of the border.
There had been hopes the situation would be resolved in time for the Bombers to make up the two games with the North Stars on Tuesday and Wednesday night this week at the Civic Centre.
But as of Monday approval had still not been granted to the Bombers. The following is the statement from the North Stars, posted at their website Monday:
“Late last week we had informed our fans of the games scheduled for this past weekend vs Flin Flon would be postponed. Our hope was that if Flin Flon was granted approval, these games will be played Tue/Wed of this week. Unfortunately, that approval has not been granted at this time. Our next scheduled home game is this Saturday, Nov 28th. Due to COVID-19, things change quickly and at a moments notice. We will keep our fans and supporters posted should there be any changes and once changes are confirmed. We ask for your patience and understanding at this time.”
