The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Ice Breakers vow to be back in Mentor
The FPHL season was suspended after games of March 12, meaning the season is likely over for the Ice Breakers. But the franchise vows to be back in Mentor for 2020-21.
The Federal Prospects Hockey League, following the leads of virtually every other league on all levels in the United States, has suspended playing games as of March 13 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Elmira Enforcers and Watertown Wolves played a game in front of no fans on March 12. That will be the final FPHL game of the season until further notice.
“The FPHL, its member teams, its Board of Governors and everyone involved takes the health and safety of our fans, officials and players extremely seriously,” Commissioner Don Kirnan said in a statement. “This is done out of a concern for safety and following suit with the NHL and the recommendations they and many other professional leagues have gotten, it is in our best interest to also go into a suspended state.”
If the season does not resume, the Ice Breakers can say they won their last game. They beat the Thunder, 6-5, on March 8 at Mentor Civic Ice Arena to snap a 16-game losing streak.
“To me, it’s a very sad day because our fan base is so strong,” Ice Breakers Director of Hockey Operations Nick Russo said in a phone interview. “Every team’s fan base is strong, but the people of Mentor are awesome. I’m not from here. But to see the passion they have, I’m sad for them. I’m sad for our players because they were starting to jell.
“I just got off the phone with our ownership. I just want everybody to know we’re committed to being here. This (suspending games) is not a Mentor thing. It’s a worldwide thing. We’re going to be back next year, and I’d love to have the same roster. They really felt like we could make a playoff run.”
The Ice Breakers were scheduled to play back-toback-to-back games against the Thunder in Delaware March 13, 14 and 15. They would have been critical games for both teams in the FPHL East. The Ice Breakers, 15-30-0-3, are fourth in the division and have a nine point lead (48-39) in the standings on the 12-311-1 Thunder. The top four teams in each five-team division qualify for the playoffs – if there are any playoffs. The FPHL will have played 232 of 286 regular season games when the Elmira-Watertown game concludes. Kirman is hopeful the season can resume quickly.
“While highly unlikely, it’s possible we can resume play next week if the situation drastically improves, but in the more likely case this pandemic will continue as the weeks go on, discussions will have to be had internally within the league about where to go from here,” Kirnan said.
Russo does not expect the season to resume. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced games in the league he runs will be suspended at least 30 days.
“There’s no way,” Russo said. “This is the Federal League. Maybe the NHL, the NBA and baseball can withstand this financially when you suspend a league indefinitely, but we can’t. We have to pay our guys based on attendance and sponsorship.”
Ten games remain on the Ice Breakers’ regular season schedule, including the three in Delaware. They are scheduled to play in Danbury on March 20 and 21. They were to host Watertown March 27, 28 and 29 and play in Elmira April 3 and 4.