One year ago this weekend, on February 28, 2020, Powell River Kings opened the BC Hockey League (BCHL) playoffs against Cowichan Valley Capitals with a 6-3 defeat in Duncan.
One year later, not only are the BCHL playoffs not underway, no regular season games have been played. A few teams faced off in exhibition games, months ago, before provincial COVID-19 restrictions put a halt to competition. The Kings were not one of those teams.
Powell River’s last home game, a 2-1 loss in the best-of-seven series, took place on March 4, 2020. Two days later their season came to an end with another 2-1 loss, and a three games to one series defeat.
Hockey is back at the highest level, with the NHL at least providing televised action to appease fans who miss being in an arena to watch in person. But there is nothing like having a home team to cheer for, and anyone who considers the Vancouver Canucks their home team, based on the way their season has started, they might be wishing the NHL was on the sidelines, too.
If and when the BCHL and provincial health authority work out a way for the league to have a shortened season, it will likely be without fans, but online viewing and game reports covering the local team will be far more interesting than the product our NHL “home team” is producing.
The most exciting hockey-related action locally of late has been the Kings’ 50/50 draw. The winner who took home the recent 40K-plus jackpot probably loves how the current season is unfolding.
If only there could be a draw every Saturday. How about it, Joe Mastrodonato?
