Flu cancels Moncton Wildcats game

The Moncton Wildcats took the unusual step of cancelling their home game against the Montreal Juniors on Sunday afternoon because too many players were sick.

About seven of the Moncton players had a fever, but general manager Bill Schurman doesn't believe it's swine flu.

"We have results back from the ones that were tested and we've had no confirmed cases," he said.

'We've played in snowstorms, in power shortages, in floods and hurricanes, and everything else almost, so it's very, very rare.' —Bill Schurman, Moncton Wildcats

All members of the team have also been vaccinated, Schurman said.

"It's not uncommon for a flu bug to go through an entire team," he stressed.

"It's not uncommon for, when one player gets ill, especially when we're on the bus, and in the dressing room, and in showers together, that you're going to pass on whatever virus is going around."

Not enough players

Between illness and injuries, Moncton was down to 11 players, said Schurman. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League rules state that a team must have at least 16 to play.

Cancellations don't happen often, he said.

"We've played in snowstorms, in power shortages, in floods and hurricanes, and everything else almost, so it's very, very rare. But the doctors of both the league and the Wildcats conferred.

"It was decided that in the best interest of both teams, game cancellation was the best alternative at this time," he said.

"So the health and safety won over, as it should."

The game will be rescheduled at a later date. People who purchased tickets can either keep them for future use or get a refund.