NEWS PHOTO Fans await the start of Thursday's midget AA Hounds hockey game at the Kinplex. The sports scene in Medicine Hat, and around the world, has ground to a halt due to COVID-19 concerns.
Bob Ridley has seen a lot of things in his 3,998 games doing play-by-play for the Medicine Hat Tigers.
But nothing like this.
The 75-year-old will have to wait to call No. 4,000, the WHL season postponed along with the rest of North American sports for the time being.
“Totally blown away, I’ll tell you that,” said Ridley, who was to travel with the Tigers to Swift Current today, then return for the milestone game Saturday at Canalta Centre. “I was kind of looking forward to the weekend to get it over with, get on with the playoffs and enjoy the rest of the year, you know?
“To be safe, this is what we’ve got to do. We’ve just got to hope we get rid of this stupid thing.”
The Tigers had no choice but to abide by the Canadian Hockey League’s decision to cease all hockey activities due to the global pandemic. The CHL made its announcement prior to the Alberta government recommending no gatherings of more than 250 people later Thursday.
“The Medicine Hat Tigers are fully supportive of the decision made today collectively by the WHL and CHL to pause this season until further notice,” read the team’s press release. “The health and safety of our fans, players, staff, and community, is of vital importance. We will continue to monitor information and developments provided by AHS, as well as other authorities across our country.
“Our organization will have more information for Season Ticket Holders, ticket buyers, and partners in the near future. We appreciate your understanding during these extraordinary circumstances.”
The team was preparing for its biggest crowd of the season Saturday in anticipation of Ridley’s big night, but when it might happen is now up in the air.
“Hopefully I’ll get that 4,000 done sometime down the road,” said Ridley.
It was one of many sporting events involving Hat teams put on hold, though one put its chin up at the whole thing.
Hours after the government recommendations, Hockey Canada announced the cancellation of all its activities beginning Friday. The midget AA Hounds hockey team went ahead with its playoff game against Red Deer at the Kinplex anyhow.
An estimated 450 fans half-filled the stands at the Kinplex, while beer was sold and a fog-and-light show entrance was given to the home team.
“Thanks to everybody (coming out) tonight in spite of the coronavirus,” said the public address announcer.
No score of the game was available by press time.
The junior B Cubs hockey team was set to resume practising at the Kinplex next week after being eliminated from league playoffs, but still with provincials to host April 4-6.
Hockey Canada ended any hopes of that in its evening statement.
Cubs general manager Dave Kowalchuk said it didn’t come as a surprise, but certainly wasn’t the way he envisioned the season ending.
“It is what it is, nothing we can do about it,” said Kowalchuk. “We had a good year, unfortunately it ended this way.
“We were excited to host provincials, we had a team that’s built for a provincial championship.”
At Medicine Hat College, the Rattlers futsal teams were gearing up to head to conference finals in Lloydminster.
Instead, Alberta Soccer’s decision to postpone its indoor championships caused a domino effect that hit the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference.
“It came down to it that they weren’t going to permit their officials to be part of any championship, so it was an easy decision,” said Medicine Hat College sport and wellness director Terry Ballard. “The biggest disappointment in this is this is their time. They’ve been practising all semester for this, and then day of departure, they get the news they can’t go.”
Over at Monsignor McCoy High School, the South Zone 3A basketball championships didn’t take place, with the Alberta Schools Athletic Association postponing provincials indefinitely following an emergency meeting.
The edict from the ASAA left some wiggle room for zones, but Lethbridge had already stopped its 1A, 2A and 4A zone tournaments earlier in the day. Both of Hat High’s basketball teams were scheduled to compete there Friday. There was no word on remaining provincials, of which badminton is scheduled to be played in Medicine Hat May 1 and 2.
Curling Alberta cancelled the under-15 qualifier set for the Medicine Hat Curling Club this weekend, while local Special Olympics and the Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation groups were among those to cancel all of their upcoming events.
All anyone seemed sure of was a lot of uncertainty moving forward.
“It’s pretty scary, I’ll tell you that,” said Ridley. “I’m just praying people here can keep a level head, you know, and keep washing your hands a lot, stay as clean as you can, help one another and find a way to get over it.
“Just help one another. We’ve got to be supportive, that’s all.”
