Predators advance to PGLL final after Moose Jaw Mustangs forfeit semifinal

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He said he contacted Moose Jaw a day later to ask whether the new date worked.

"There’s a lot of carnage that has been left behind.”

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“Both teams had agreed to play on Thursday, July 2 at 8 p.m. We didn’t force anybody; it was agreed upon by both teams. Then, on June 29, I got a phone call stating that only four players were willing to make the trip to P.A. for the playoffs.”

The forfeit is the second time this season an opponent has cancelled games against Prince Albert. Weyburn also forfeited a scheduled doubleheader in Prince Albert at the end of May, citing player availability while declining to reschedule.

The Predators, who are chasing a fourth straight provincial championship and are back-to-back defending Western Canadian champions, are the only team in the league to have opponents forfeit games this season.

Wells said his frustration stems from Moose Jaw agreeing to the date change before later withdrawing.

“It’s unfair to the players that have to play on a Thursday. I agree. But if you knew that was the situation, you should not have agreed to move the game. We were fine playing Friday. I also know that no matter what day that game was played, Moose Jaw was not going to have enough players.”

Wells also alleged comments made by Mustangs parents during a livestream following the teams’ June 20 game in Moose Jaw suggested the club was already considering not making the trip to Prince Albert. The Mustangs did not respond to a request for comment from paNOW before publication.

When asked whether the league should impose tougher penalties for forfeits, Wells said it’s a difficult issue.

“Harsher fines, yes, but I think they’re in a very difficult situation as to what else they can do,” he explained. “You can force a team to come down, but if they show up with three guys, what are we doing? It’s a waste of time.”

He suggested another option would be requiring teams that forfeit to play all games on the road the following season. Under that scenario, for example, Moose Jaw would travel to Prince Albert for every matchup in 2027.

Instead of Thursday’s semifinal, the Predators will host an alumni game at Kinsmen Arena tonight. The event will include beer gardens and a 50-50 draw, with admission set at $5 or a non-perishable food donation for the Prince Albert Food Bank.

“We’re trying to make the best of the situation and help the community as best as we can,” Wells said.

Prince Albert now advances directly to the PGLL championship, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between the Swift Current Wolverines and Winnipeg Blizzard.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com