'The game was played, the result is filed': Storm creates bumps for U Cup hockey
A snowstorm that hit New Brunswick earlier this week has caused problems for organizers of the University Cup national hockey championship, which began Thursday in Fredericton.
The storm delayed travel plans of both McGill University and Queen's University, causing organizers to push back Queens' Thursday night game against UNB by an hour to 8 p.m.
"There's no question it's less than ideal for Queen's and we recognize that," said University Sport delegate Dick White. "But really, fundamentally, we're looking at the show must go on."
The Queen's Gaels of Kingston, Ont., were stuck in Quebec about five hours by road from Fredericton until Thursday morning. The team arrived by bus Thursday afternoon.
Later that day, the University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds posted a 5-1 victory over the Gaels in the second quarter-final of the day.
'There were some challenges'
Andy Campbell, communications manager with UNB's Varsity Reds team, said Queen's had little extra time to get a skate in or a good night's sleep in a hotel.
"There were some challenges that Queen's had to face that were unforeseen really by anybody," Campbell said in an interview with Information Morning Fredericton.
"There are eight teams — some travelling from across the country — so as most people in this region know, March can be difficult when travelling," he said.
Following Thursday night's game, Campbell said he isn't sure if there's any chance of an appeal.
"The game was played, the result is filed," he said.
Campbell said Brett Gibson, Queens' head coach addressed the media following the game. On the surface, Campbell said Gibson seemed accepting of what happened.
"He was upset, his season was over," said Campbell. "Hockey wasn't the only reason there."
The Ontario team wasn't the only one disappointed on Thursday.
'Bit of a shocker'
The No. 1-ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears lost to eighth-ranked Acadia University Axemen 4-1 on Thursday.
"A little bit of a shocker when you look at number eight defeating number one but Acadia played pretty well," Campbell said.
At 1 p.m. on Friday, York University will play the University of Saskatchewan and at 7 p.m. St. Francis Xavier will take on McGill University.
The winners of those two games will play in the second semifinal on Saturday. UNB and Acadia University play the first semifinal at noon on Saturday.
The winners of those games advance to Sunday's gold medal game at 1 p.m. The losers will play for bronze at 9:30 a.m.
