2021-2022 Season and Covid Protocols.

[aj0512]

I think the QMJHL is shut down until January 17. We were one of the few teams who played over the weekend so I'm kind of expecting it at this point.

[donjohnson]

I just don't understand what the point is of shutting down the season. I can see removing fans from the game but what's the point of shutting down a league of low-risk 16-20 year olds who have been mandated to get the vaccine from the league? These kids have spent their whole lives waking up early and driving long distances to try to make hockey their career. They've taken a chance and moved away from home at 16 years old to work to get a coveted spot in the NHL. They sat out more than a full year, they've done everything that's been asked of them this year and still, it's not enough. These kids deserve to play and if Ontario takes that away from them, it will be an absolute shame.

[FreelandSpirit]

Jan 3, 2022 10:42:05 GMT -5 donjohnson said:

I just don't understand what the point is of shutting down the season. I can see removing fans from the game but what's the point of shutting down a league of low-risk 16-20 year olds who have been mandated to get the vaccine from the league? These kids have spent their whole lives waking up early and driving long distances to try to make hockey their career. They've taken a chance and moved away from home at 16 years old to work to get a coveted spot in the NHL. They sat out more than a full year, they've done everything that's been asked of them this year and still, it's not enough. These kids deserve to play and if Ontario takes that away from them, it will be an absolute shame.

Money. Plan and simple. Alot of the Canadian teams would rather shut down than play with no fans because gate revenue is what funds the operation. Unless there is a serious government financial payout the small markets would be broke way sooner than most people think

[eric8199]

Everything I'm hearing at this point says stay the OHL will stay the course. The experts seem to think this new spike in cases will be short lived because Omicron spreads quicker and goes away quicker, along with being less severe. So a few weeks of no fans may be enough to get through the wave. We'll see what happens. Obviously things can change quickly but I'm not hearing anything about a league-wide shutdown at this point.

[donjohnson]

Jan 3, 2022 13:32:58 GMT -5 FreelandSpirit said:

Jan 3, 2022 10:42:05 GMT -5 donjohnson said:

I just don't understand what the point is of shutting down the season. I can see removing fans from the game but what's the point of shutting down a league of low-risk 16-20 year olds who have been mandated to get the vaccine from the league? These kids have spent their whole lives waking up early and driving long distances to try to make hockey their career. They've taken a chance and moved away from home at 16 years old to work to get a coveted spot in the NHL. They sat out more than a full year, they've done everything that's been asked of them this year and still, it's not enough. These kids deserve to play and if Ontario takes that away from them, it will be an absolute shame.

Money. Plan and simple. Alot of the Canadian teams would rather shut down than play with no fans because gate revenue is what funds the operation. Unless there is a serious government financial payout the small markets would be broke way sooner than most people think

As veteran TV executive Don Ohlmeyer always said "The answer to all of your questions is money". I knew that and should have pre-answered my own question.

The Canadian teams did get some sort of bailout at one point and I'm guessing the 3 American teams didn't get a sniff of that so having fans in the buildings in Flint, Saginaw and Erie may start to even out a little bit but it still won't make up for an entirely canceled season for our team.

[hatethewhalers]

The other question to consider is whether or not the OHL will allow Canadian based teams to cross the border and play in front of fans in the US. This could very well explain why the Jan 5 opponenet was switched from Windsor to Flint. It makes no sense to switch opponenets that were already scheduled to play each other besides that reason. Why not pick an open weeknight and fill it with the Flint game instead?

[thepuckman]

Jan 4, 2022 15:44:38 GMT -5 hatethewhalers said:

The other question to consider is whether or not the OHL will allow Canadian based teams to cross the border and play in front of fans in the US. This could very well explain why the Jan 5 opponenet was switched from Windsor to Flint. It makes no sense to switch opponenets that were already scheduled to play each other besides that reason. Why not pick an open weeknight and fill it with the Flint game instead?

I thought about this too. But I think the reason for the change is the potential that both Windsor and Guelph could have Covid issues. Given how many games have been postponed and the logistics of re-schedulong them, the League probably sees it as easier to reschedule 1 game, if needed, instead of 2.

[aj0512]

Now that no fans are being allowed in Ontario buildings the owners will have a call on Wednesday morning to discuss their next move. The league is hoping to avoid postponing any games, per TSN.

[Bthumme]

Just mash the 3 US teams together, call them the Saginaw FireOtters, and send them as our representative to the memorial cup.

On a serious note, I wonder if we're going to have schedule adjustments to play Erie and Flint (even) more. I'd imagine the Canadian teams will get some help/ask for help if the OHL is serious about continuing to play, and wonder if there will be a renewed focus on no crossing the borders for the next couple weeks.

[Bthumme]

Several postponements and reschedules, none of which affect Saginaw. Wonder what will happen for the Windsor matchup that was supposed to be tonight?

ontariohockeyleague.com/article/ohl-announces-postponements-and-rescheduled-games-010521

Due to Covid-19 protocol, the following games have been postponed:
Wednesday, January 5 – Windsor Spitfires at Guelph Storm
Thursday, January 6 – Hamilton Bulldogs at Peterborough Petes
Friday, January 7 – Niagara IceDogs at Hamilton Bulldogs
Friday, January 7 – Ottawa 67’s at Oshawa Generals
Friday, January 7 – Owen Sound Attack at Guelph Storm
Saturday, January 8 – Guelph Storm at Owen Sound Attack
Saturday, January 8 – Ottawa 67’s at Hamilton Bulldogs

The following games have been rescheduled:
Saturday, January 8 – North Bay Battalion at Barrie Colts, 7:30pm***
Sunday, January 9 – Barrie Colts at Owen Sound Attack, 2:00pm (from Dec. 28)
Sunday, January 9 – Kingston Frontenacs at Mississauga Steelheads, 2:00pm (from Jan. 2)
Tuesday, January 11 – Kingston Frontenacs at Oshawa Generals, 7:05pm (from Dec. 19)
Tuesday, January 11 – Niagara IceDogs at Hamilton Bulldogs, 7:00pm (from Jan. 2)
Tuesday, January 18 – Peterborough Petes at Niagara IceDogs, 7:00pm (from Dec. 31)
Wednesday, January 19 – Flint Firebirds at Sarnia Sting, 7:05pm (from Dec. 17)
Tuesday, January 25 – North Bay Battalion at Niagara IceDogs, 7:00pm (from Dec. 18)
Tuesday, January 25 – Mississauga Steelheads at Peterborough Petes, 7:05pm (from Dec. 4)
Monday, February 14 – Barrie Colts at Kingston Frontenacs, 7:00pm (from Dec. 17)
Wednesday, February 16 – Kitchener Rangers at Owen Sound Attack, 7:00pm (from Dec. 15)
Sunday, February 20 – Kitchener Rangers at Owen Sound Attack, 2:00pm (from Jan. 1)
Tuesday, March 1 – Ottawa 67’s at Oshawa Generals, 7:05pm (from Dec. 28)
Tuesday, March 8 – Oshawa Generals at North Bay Battalion, 7:00pm (from Dec. 31)
Sunday, March 13 – Erie Otters at Guelph Storm, 7:00pm (from Dec. 17)
Tuesday, March 15 – North Bay Battalion at Oshawa Generals, 7:05pm (from Jan. 1)
Tuesday, March 22 – Sudbury Wolves at Barrie Colts, 7:30pm (from Dec. 16)
Tuesday, March 22 – Sarnia Sting at Owen Sound Attack, 7:00pm (from Dec. 18)
Wednesday, March 30 – Niagara IceDogs at Sudbury Wolves, 7:05pm (from Dec. 17)
Wednesday, March 30 – Barrie Colts at Owen Sound Attack, 7:00pm (from Jan. 5)
Sunday, April 3 – Kitchener Rangers at Erie Otters, 2:00pm (from Dec. 18)

[donjohnson]

And now the covid bug has hit us...just got an email from the team that says we are in covid protocols and the games this weekend are postponed.

[farmgirl62]

Jan 7, 2022 10:43:30 GMT -5 donjohnson said:

And now the covid bug has hit us...just got an email from the team that says we are in covid protocols and the games this weekend are postponed.

And not one of the boys is sick- All asymptomatic.

[donjohnson]

Jan 8, 2022 8:07:33 GMT -5 farmgirl62 said:

Jan 7, 2022 10:43:30 GMT -5 donjohnson said:

And now the covid bug has hit us...just got an email from the team that says we are in covid protocols and the games this weekend are postponed.

And not one of the boys is sick- All asymptomatic.

Nothing like someone on a message board stating facts that aren't true. Gensfan this is probably a message that should be deleted because someone will pick it up from here and post it in that Facebook group which seems to be a total free for all