Fans Outraged By OHA Decision, Could Cost Blenheim Blades
In a decision that has left many fans, and those in the hockey world scratching the head, the Ontario Hockey Association wiped out a game, which saw the Blenheim Blades leading 5-4 with 4:51 remaining last Friday.
The game was stopped due to a power outage, and the OHA decided that instead of finishing the game at another date, they would wipe the game from record, and replay game three Sunday, which the Blades then lost 3-2.
The decision has flipped a series that the Blades were on the verge of leading by a stranglehold 3-0 margin, to now, a tight 2-1 gap.
The OHA decision stated:
It is the decision of the Chairman that option 3 is to be used under our regulations. The situation is governed by OHA regulation D9 c and d.
The original Game 3 game sheet and all stats will be struck from the record.
The series is now Blenheim 2 – Belle River 0 with the Game 3 being played tonight in Blenheim.
However, “Option 3,” based on its definition, shouldn’t have been an option, as the OHA’s “Option 3” was defined as,
Replay the entire game 3 in Belle River. Monday March 3, 7:30pm – this option would only be exercised if the series was tied at 3-3 in games.
The decision outraged fans who took to the Blenheim Blades’ Facebook page as an outlet, and to voice their disapproval of a decision many deemed unfair and illogical.
“The league messed this one up. There needs to be a grey area for situations like this. What about the money Belle River took in at this non-game?” wrote one fan.
“I took my family and paid $50 to watch a play-off game that doesn’t count,” another fan wrote, about the game which was attended by several hundred fans.
Of the financial implications, the Blades do stand to be reimbursed for their travel, however, as another fan writes, many questions are still left unanswered to the public, including a check from behind delivered by a Belle River player,
“This is a travesty. The OHA continuously talks about “Fair Play” and this is their idea of fair?” wrote the fan. “How much money changed hands to get this ruling and why were the other “2 options” not released and the reasoning as to why they were not chosen? Fans of Jr. C Hockey support these teams and now do they get their money back? Do the referee’s from that game now travel to Blenheim to officiate the game at no additional cost since they have been paid a game fee already? What about the Check From Behind Penalty and what ifthe Blades player had suffered irreversible damage due to injury? Would the OHA say that never happened either? Never have I heard of such an idiotic decision regarding sport.”
For fans wondering, the other two options available read:
Option 1
Complete remaining portion of the game in Blenheim this evening Sunday Feb. 23 after game 4 should Blenheim win tonight.Option 2
Complete remaining portion of game 3 in Belle River prior to Game 5 Tuesday Feb. 25 should Belle River win tonight in Blenheim.
The Blenheim Blades are trying to win only their second playoff series since 1994-1995, which was before many players on the team were born. The Blades defeated Mooretown in six games in the opening round of playoffs, their first win in that span.
The Blenheim Blades will attempt to regain their two game lead Thursday, February 25 when they travel back to Belle River for a 7:30pm puck drop.
Yea thats all well and good, but what actually happened??
Not sure what you mean Greg. They chose option 3, game was replayed, Blenheim lost the rematch. Fans are being offered free admission to the next Belle River home game if they kept their ticket stub from the last game.