Bizarre Scene Unfolds As Minor League Hockey Team Wins When Home Teams Fails To Show Up

The Quad City Storm of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) picked up one of the weirdest wins you will ever see in pro sports over the weekend.

They Storm made the trip on Sunday to Danville, Illinois to play the Vermilion County Bobcats at the David S. Palmer Arena. That’s when things got weird.

Dave Eminian of the Peoria Journal Star tweeted, “SPHL drama in Danville, where host Vermilion County never showed up for game vs Quad City. It’s a forfeit win for QC. Most bizarre thing I’ve seen in 40 years covering pro hockey. QC bused in, skated warmups, lined up national anthem/faceoff, skated a lap, then saluted ‘crowd.'”

Check out the game recap on the SPHL website. The only people involved in the game that actually did anything were the officials who called two penalties.

So far, no reason has been given for the Vermilion County Bobcats not showing up for a game at their home arena.

The SPHL has issued just one statement.

“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.”

The Bobcats were originally scheduled to play the Peoria Rivermen on Sunday, February 5, but for some reason the league changed the schedule earlier in the week.

The Danville Commercial-News reported “there is no indication from the SPHL and the Bobcats that the team is folding.”

On the plus side, the few minor league hockey fans that also showed up for the game that never was got to go on the ice and hang with some of the Quad City Storm players.

The Vermilion County Bobcats currently sit in last place in the SPHL with a 4-24-2 record. Maybe they were just tired of losing and needed a break.