Wednesday note

One note today big news out of Speedy Creek, where it looks like the Broncos are going to get pushed out of their building in the first round next season, 2009-10.

The Credit Union i-Plex is being taken over by the Ford World Women's Curling Championships from March 20-29, 2010, and that should be right around the time of the first round of the WHL playoffs. Looking at a calendar, I'd bet the 09-10 season will see its playoffs start on Friday March 19th, and will want to be wrapped up by March 30 or 31, to start the 2nd round on Friday April 2nd. So since the curling ice needs to go in a few days before the event starts, basically there are no possible home playoff dates for the Broncos in that period. So the first round of the playoffs for the Broncos wouldn't just have to have a funky schedule, it would have to be held somewhere else. Period.

Of course, the Broncos need to MAKE the playoffs in 09-10 first before we really worry about this but it's a significant issue for them if it happens....I mean, it's playoffs and they're looking at losing home ice advantage by probably having to play their "home" games in a neutral site, possibly at the home rink of one of the Eastern division teams who do miss the playoffs. The last time I remember a team actually having to play at a neutral site in the playoffs was when Prince Albert had to play some home playoff games in Saskatoon in 1998-99 because the Air Canada Cup was in their building.

But, this is the price the Broncos have to pay for having wanted their facility upgraded. The city of Swift Current fixed up the rink and now they want to put some marquee events in it, things which will bring money into the city. Can't blame the city for wanting to do that. I guess the only question would be why the curling event can't be held one week earlier, which would allow the Broncos to just finish the regular season on the road and have their building back for the playoffs.