Silvertips game postponed

The Western Hockey League announced Wednesday afternoon that the contest between the Everett Silvertips and Red Deer Rebels, scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Wednesday at Angel of the Winds Arena, has been postponed until Thursday.

“Weather conditions causing road closures in the Pacific Northwest resulted in the decision to postpone Wednesday’s game,” the league said in a press release.

With all mountain passes — Snoqualmie, Stevens and White Pass — closed following the Rebels’ Tuesday game in Spokane, Red Deer traveled down Interstate 84 with the intention of traversing through the Columbia River Gorge and up through Portland.

But the interstate was eventually closed overnight between exits 64 and 44 due to vehicles in stuck in the poor weather conditions, and the Rebels were stranded at a McDonald’s in Hood River, Ore.

I-84, from Hood River to Cascade Locks, Closed, I-84 WB is closed from exit 64 in Hood River to Cascade Locks exit 44. Use alternate routes. … https://t.co/KV7VBsKH9Z

— TripCheck – I-84 (@TripCheckI_84A) February 13, 2019

“We are in Hood River, OR. It’s really nice this time of year. The local McDonald’s has been very accommodating. Highways closed, sure would like to get to Everett for our date with @WHLsilvertips #RDR,” Red Deer wrote on its team Twitter account.

We are in Hood River, OR. It’s really nice this time of year. The local McDonald’s has been very accommodating. Highways closed, sure would like to get to Everett for our date with @WHLsilvertips #RDR pic.twitter.com/p0JEEDIvkL

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) February 13, 2019

Yes, the I-90 is the most direct way, but it was closed. All the mountain passes were closed. This was only route that was open, until about 3AM, then it closed too, and thus we are #stuckinhoodriver https://t.co/jU7oYOyNVU

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) February 13, 2019

The highway didn’t open up until about 3 p.m. Wednesday. Accounting for traffic on the Interstate 5 corridor, there was a slim chance the Rebels would have been able to travel from Hood River to Everett for a reasonable start time.

Thanks Hood River…..it’s been fun. We expect to be on our way soon, no longer #stuckinhoodriver pic.twitter.com/cVW0ZaaImP

— Red Deer Rebels (@Rebelshockey) February 13, 2019

The postponement will intensify an already difficult upcoming stretch for Everett. The Silvertips will now play five games in six days, with their only off day on Sunday designated for the 10-to-11-hour trek to Prince George, British Columbia, for a 2 p.m. game against the Cougars on Monday.