WCMHA returns to the game Jan. 31

WEST CARLETON – West Carleton Minor Hockey Association (WCMHA) will be back on the ice at the end of the month.

Both Crusaders and Warriors clubs will be able to play starting Monday, Jan. 31.

“We are very excited to announce on Jan. 31 we will be returning to the ice,” the WCMHA executive released in a statement today (Jan. 28).

Both clubs will start on the same day but there will be slightly different COVID-19 rules in place.

The Warriors club will follow the Lanark County Minor Hockey League COVID-19 league guidance. Existing regular season games will be played as scheduled. Additional games will be added between Feb. 14 and March 31.

“The remainder of the season will be devoted to completing the regular season game schedule,” the WCMHA said.

The Crusaders club will follow the Ottawa B Minor Hockey League COVID-19 league guidance.

A full 30-game schedule will be completed my March 6 – extending the season by a month.

“If we can get to that goal, then the playoff format will only be the top eight teams with three games played to become league champion,” the WCMHA said. “If we run in to weather delays, COVID outbreaks, the fall back plan will be to play games in those two weeks and at the end of the season, whoever is in first overall will be crowned as the league champions.”

Both clubs will take the traditional March break.

“Continue to watch your master schedule as changes will be happening frequently over the coming weeks as we try to execute on all scheduling tasks,” the WCMHA said.