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Post by bpfox on Mar 11, 2020 18:52:51 GMT -5
Sports is changing right before our eyes because of the outbreak. New restrictions, playing games with no fans in attendance. As a result of all of what's going how does everyone feel about attending games? What's the risk? Is it worth it? How many of you have decided to stay home and watch the games on TV instead of in person? Too much is still unfolding for my liking. For the first time since the Spirit came to town I will not be in attendance at this weekend's games. Now I have missed other games over the years, but that was just because of prior engagements. This time is different. What are your thoughts about what is going on right now in the sports world?
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Post by stevek on Mar 11, 2020 19:01:16 GMT -5
I’m seriously unsure how to proceed. I have tickets for (and as of this moment) plans to attend the Windsor game, tomorrow. Honestly, at this point I’m just as (or more) worried about issues crossing the boarder than I am about getting sick. My guess is at some point soon the league is going to restrict attendance to players & personnel, lest governments step in and do it for them.
Strange times.
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Post by bpfox on Mar 11, 2020 19:06:20 GMT -5
I turn 66 on Sunday. My brain never got past 18 so I don't always seem like I act my age. I don't know at what point, if ever, that I will consider my self "elderly", but I do know I am closer to the end than I am to the beginning. In this case I have decided to error on the side of my health.
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Post by kingpin794 on Mar 11, 2020 19:37:22 GMT -5
Whitmer is already calling for large gatherings like sporting events to be fan free.
Seattle thunderbirds of the WHL are now going fanless.
Toledo Walleye are too.
NCAA basketball and hockey tourneys
NHL and NBA are meeting to see if they are too (most likely will)
At a Griffins game right now but I would be shocked if Friday and Saturday's games have fans. I expect by the end of the week, Saginaw, Flint, GR, etc will all announce now fans the rest of the year.
And I'm good with that. If have to miss some games so that another fan can be around to watch in the future, then keep me home.
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Post by aj0512 on Mar 11, 2020 20:46:38 GMT -5
The NBA just announced they are going on hiatus following a player from the Utah Jazz testing positive.
Truly a surreal day. Everything has come crashing down in a hurry. Whatever decision everyone makes, take good care of yourself.
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Post by spiritfan8 on Mar 12, 2020 2:22:17 GMT -5
I got in a fight with my son to defend my honor age-wise, but the truth of the matter is that 70 is elderly, much to my disgust. I am leaning toward being home this weekend, even though the rebellious adolescent part of my brain is telling me I’m a punk for not going.
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Post by donjohnson on Mar 12, 2020 8:20:08 GMT -5
I think that if I was north of 60 or had some underlying health issue that I'd be avoiding people left and right so I don't think that bpfox and sf8 and any others on here are crazy for avoiding the Spirit games.
That said, while I'm no spring chicken, I'm definitely not in the at-risk demo so I'm dreading the possibility of not being able to go to the games or god forbid, cancelling the season. Even though our goaltending isn't as strong as last year, I think we have a better chance to get to the finals because the majority of our players have the experience of getting right to the edge and I think they really want it this year. I would hate to have a "what if" season because we've seen over our history that they don't come along very often. I'd rather have no fans than no season but maybe a few weeks off now will allow us to go to the games later in the playoffs or something.
It will be really interesting to see how everything plays out...the biggest fear is the border...if we can't cross the border the season is over unless they shift things around and we play a series against Flint and hope that the border opens back up. To be a fly on the wall in some of these meetings that are probably happening.
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Post by aj0512 on Mar 12, 2020 9:08:55 GMT -5
Not sure if speculating is a good thing to or not, but I'll wager a guess that the games will continue with no fans in attendance. Seems to be what colleges and the MHSAA are doing now. Not sure if it would be different in Ontario, though. I guess we'll see.
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Post by donjohnson on Mar 12, 2020 9:35:07 GMT -5
I doubt they'll be able to do it but it would be nice if they're not going to allow fans to get some good cameras in there so we can watch games instead of the crummy internet streaming or somehow have access to the canadian tv stations.
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Post by eric8199 on Mar 12, 2020 11:36:47 GMT -5
I'd be quite surprised if games are held if fans will be allowed. Based on additional developments in other leagues at this point, I'd be willing to bet they'll be canceling games starting later today. If they do hold games, and I'm allowed to be, I'll be there to cover them for the Spirit. But we will see.
So much for #finishwhatwestarted if they cancel the season, eh?
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Post by donjohnson on Mar 12, 2020 12:04:51 GMT -5
I wonder if they would do something out of the box in order to keep the season alive. It's pretty clear in both conferences who the top 4 teams are...the league could cancel the remainder of the regular season, give this a 3+ week delay to slow the spread and then start the playoffs essentially in Round 2 with the top 4 teams in each conference competing.
If the entire season gets cancelled I say that we go Central Florida style and just claim the title and raise the banner, give out rings and raise a banner next season.
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Post by aj0512 on Mar 12, 2020 12:08:01 GMT -5
Just about every NCAA hockey conference tournament has been canceled and the USHL is suspending the season. Might get a similar ruling with the Canadian Hockey League now.
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Post by ricardo on Mar 12, 2020 13:13:34 GMT -5
I think that if I was north of 60 or had some underlying health issue that I'd be avoiding people left and right so I don't think that bpfox and sf8 and any others on here are crazy for avoiding the Spirit games. That said, while I'm no spring chicken, I'm definitely not in the at-risk demo so I'm dreading the possibility of not being able to go to the games or god forbid, cancelling the season. Even though our goaltending isn't as strong as last year, I think we have a better chance to get to the finals because the majority of our players have the experience of getting right to the edge and I think they really want it this year. I would hate to have a "what if" season because we've seen over our history that they don't come along very often. I'd rather have no fans than no season but maybe a few weeks off now will allow us to go to the games later in the playoffs or something. It will be really interesting to see how everything plays out...the biggest fear is the border...if we can't cross the border the season is over unless they shift things around and we play a series against Flint and hope that the border opens back up. To be a fly on the wall in some of these meetings that are probably happening. It'd be too bad if the season isn't completed because along with team achievements, Damien Giroux is close to breaking the team record for goals in a season. With so many leagues suspending their seasons or canceling tournaments, I'd be surprised if the OHL continues their season. |
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Post by aj0512 on Mar 12, 2020 15:05:18 GMT -5
The Canadian Hockey League has paused the season and players are being allowed to return home.
Also maybe worth mentioning that Ontario elementary and secondary schools are closed until April 6.
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Post by MidlandSpiritFan on Mar 12, 2020 15:21:24 GMT -5
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