The Borderland Thunder were in a mood to teach the host Dryden Ice Dogs a lesson Wednesday night, but Mother Nature decided to get cranky and sidetrack their plans.
The Thunder’s game against the defending SIJHL champions, who swept Borderland 4-0 in last season’s league final, was postponed because Highway 502 was closed Wednesday morning due to the weather.
SIJHL president Jerry Blazino said Thursday morning the game will be rescheduled once the Thunder and Ice Dogs agree on a make-up date.
The previous evening’s snowfall, mixed with yesterday’s bout of freezing rain, rendered the highway unsafe for driving, Fort Frances OPP Cst. Dereck McLean said.
The highway reopened at 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, but Cst. McLean warned motorists not to breathe too easy behind the wheel.
“Everybody should still be using caution,” he stressed. “If we get more rain and then the temperature drops suddenly, it could freeze very quickly, especially on bridges . . . and anywhere else where it’s more sheltered.”
Poor road conditions, combined with a serious accident on Highway 11, forced the postponement of a Thunder game in Thunder Bay last season.
Hockey wasn’t the only sport dealt a knockout punch by Wednesday’s weather.
The Emo Figure Skating Club’s planned Christmas skate with Santa was postponed until this coming Monday, running from 3:45-4:15 p.m. at the Emo Arena.
