When an event such as the World Junior Championship is shut down, you know things are serious.
Last month, the Maritime Junior Hockey League went into pause mode, shutting things off from December 18th through January 5th.
The hope was to calm things down and provide some separation to share in the attempt to contain the Omicron variant. The intention was sound.
As it turns out, omicron has a life of its own and will run its course at an undetermined rate.
Last week the MHL responded to the spread by postponing games in the League schedule from January 5th through to January 16th.
In all, thirty games will be affected. January 20th is considered a possible startup date.
This is a very fluid situation depending on so many factors; however, the MHL will leave no stone unturned in an attempt to come up with a plan to bring hockey back to the twelve franchises, players and fans.
This is not their first rodeo. No other group in the junior hockey fraternity did a better job to do just that than the MHL last year.
Experience is a great teacher. The MHL has lots of that as it moves forward.
Everything has to be revisited and everything is on the table. For sure, there are obstacles.
Baseball player, Andy Van Slyke, was credited with saying that every season has highs and lows, but what you have to eliminate is the GRAND Canyon. Perhaps we’re there.
All MHL players started the Christmas Break early and all expected to be back relaxed and ready to play by now.
Well, that’s not the case. When they get back to their respective dressing rooms is uncertain. There is a target date, and here’s hoping its’ hit.
There’s plenty of work to be done and the process is underway. For those of us on the outside looking in, we can only wait.
Need some good news.