Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire ” proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community……
The hockey dominos fell in sequence this week.
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, what used to be known as Junior B Hockey, formally cancelled their season.
A day later, the Ontario Junior Hockey League, a 22 team operation which includes the Collingwood Blues, officially cancelled any plans to play.
And then the Canadian Hockey League announced that for a 2nd straight year there would be no Memorial Cup Tournament this year.
While there have been fits and starts to junior hockey at various levels in Ontario, save the Ontario Hockey League, these confirmations were not unexpected.
COVID-19 arrived 14 months ago and essentially has come at the province in 3 waves, with medical officials anticipating that case numbers could actually rise and the degree of severity get worse.
Many will criticize the Provincial Government and many others will suggest the OHL, among other leagues, could have conducted their business or should have found a way to operate.
I’m sorry, but I beg to differ.
I find no fault with the OHL’s cautious approach. Trust me, they want to operate as much any player wants to play or as much as any fan wants to see the game.
Nor am I critical of the ongoing effort to contain the virus by our government and health professionals.
Could it be better ? Sure…..but the evidence day after day for months paints a very clear picture of how dangerous and deadly the coronavirus is.
Would I like to see a Junior Hockey game ? Of course. But the beauty of Junior Hockey, and sports in general is that one game gets you excited for the next game and currently, I’m not excited about going to any event that has a crowded venue.
For Pete’s Auto Body I’m Fred Wallace