Flyers, Huskies postpone games but Trackers game goes ahead

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Although other teams cancelled games, the U-18 North East BC Trackers held their Christmas game versus the Whitecourt Wolverines on December 19th at the North Peace Arena. (Ed Hitchins, Energeticcity.ca)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Hockey games involving Peace region teams have had recent problems with the weather, but one team’s games have gone ahead despite the constant snowfall.

The North Peace Hockey League (NPHL) Fort St. John Senior Flyers postponed both of their games this week due to road conditions, with the latest cancellation coming for Friday’s game against the Manning Comets in Alberta.

Flyers president Paul van Nostrand told Energeticcity.ca the game will be made up in January. This came after a game versus the Spirit River Rangers was postponed on December 18th.

“[General manager] Lee [Hartman] will have to go through and organize,” said Nostrand. “[He will] have to coordinate with the referees, the other teams and with the [Fort St. John] Huskies.”

The Flyers share the North Peace Arena with the Strike Group North West Junior Hockey League (NWJHL) team.

The Huskies scratched a weekend homestand last weekend against Beaverlodge and North Peace, and have also postponed December 19th’s contest against the Fairview Flyers.

However, one program in Fort St. John still playing games are the North East BC Trackers.

The U-15 program hosted the Grande Prairie Storm in Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) action on Sunday, December 14th, and the U-18 team hosted its annual Christmas game on Friday, December 19th at the North Peace Arena.

Trackers media representative Matt Crompton said School District 60 students bussed in from inside Fort St. John will number as many as 600 in the stands for the game against the Whitecourt Wolverines on Friday, December 19th.

“What it comes down to is the away team’s ability to make it into town,” said Crompton. “That goes both ways for our teams leaving town and away teams making it to town.

“Fortunately, the Whitecourt Wolverines were able to make it to town.”

The annual contest hosted by the Trackers is to give middle school and high school students a live event to watch on their last day before the Christmas holiday.

Crompton added while the U-18 Trackers haven’t had to cancel any AEHL contests or tournament appearances, the ability to continue its track record is “weather permitting.”

Currently, Friday’s forecast for Fort St. John calls for a high of -23 C with a wind chill of -28 C this afternoon and a risk of frostbite.