If this is the end for the latest attempt at minor professional hockey in the Eastern Illinois city of just under 30,000 located 93 miles (150 kilometers) from Indianapolis, the Bobcats went out in viral fashion. The only public announcement read: “The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on Sunday announced the Quad City at Vermilion County game scheduled for Sunday, February 5 has been declared a forfeit in favor of Quad City pursuant to Rule 73.3 of the SPHL Rule Book.” Multiple messages seeking details, clarification and comment on the situation Sunday and moving forward sent to the SPHL, the team and owner Ellen Tully were not returned. That would reduce the number of teams from 11 to 10 in the SPHL, which is a rung below the ECHL in the North American hockey hierarchy, after the NHL and American Hockey League. There are now concerns last-place Vermilion County, which has lost 77 of 86 games in its two years of existence, will fold midseason. “Certainly one of the most bizarre (things) I’ve seen.” “It was a very weird weekend,” Quad City president Brian Rothenberger said.
The visitors tried to give fans their money’s worth by inviting them onto the ice for what was supposed to be a postgame group skate before making the three-hour drive home. After a 2-minute delay of game penalty and 5-minute waiting period, the game was declared a forfeit. This bizarre scene unfolded over the weekend at what was supposed to be a Southern Professional Hockey League game in Danville, Illinois, between the visiting Quad City Storm and host Vermilion County Bobcats. One problem: The home team did not show up. The national anthem played, and officials were ready to drop the puck. Fans filed into the rink for a minor league hockey game, vendors sold concessions and the visiting team took the ice for warmups.
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