Wild scene in SPHL as team no-shows for its own home game!

If you showed up to watch a hockey game at David S. Palmer Arena in Danville, Illinois this past weekend you were in for a disappointment. However, at least you got to witness a bizarre little moment in history.

That's because the home team Vermillion County Bobcats of the Souther Professional Hockey League (SPHL) failed to show up for their scheduled game against the Quad City Storm. That's right... the home team didn't show up.

The Storm bused in from nearly 200 miles away, skated in warmups, lined up for the National Anthem, took the opening faceoff against no opponent, skated a lap around the ice and then saluted the few dozen members of the "crowd" before earning themselves a forfeit victory.

“SPHL drama in Danville, where host Vermilion County never showed up for game vs Quad City. It’s a forfeit win for QC. Most bizarre thing I’ve seen in 40 years covering pro hockey.” Dave Eminian of the Journal Star tweeted, along with a video from the crowd.

By all accounts while there were operations and concessions staff on hand at the arena there were no signs of life from the team's coaching staff and roster. The team simply didn't show up to its own home game and now there's plenty of speculation that the team has folded due to bankruptcy. Which, if you follow semi-professional hockey is a tale as old as the sport itself.

The thing is... if you're gonna fold due to insolvency at least have the decency to inform the league and your fans. There are rumors online that Bobcats owner Ellen Tully, an accomplished hockey photographer with an impressive resume, has been avoiding communication with the league for over a week. 

The team's former Vice President of public relations and marketing Chuck Sergent all but confirmed to Danforth's WCIA News that money is at the root of the team's problems. 

“There’s been some conflicts about money owed to presidents, to players,” Sergent said. “So, you got some financial issues that probably is a part of it.”

Yeah... I'd imagine that's part of it too, Chuck...

The thing with the Bobcats is that they've been plagued by issues since the moment they entered existence last season. They've been averaging just 300-400 people in attendance per game, much lower than the 1,200 that the league averages in most markets. Call me crazy but it might have something to do with the team's wretched 9-70-7 record in the past year and a half. And the fact that they've gone through 10 coaches in that same span... just unfathomable. Truly crazy stuff that you'll only see in the depths of American semi-pro hockey.

Scott Mitchell, a season ticket holder and longtime Danville hockey supporter tells WCIA News that he's frustrated because he hasn't been told anything by the team.

“It is very frustrating,” Mitchell said. “We’ve tried calling the phone number, can’t get any response. We tried their Facebook, they deactivated it. So, we’re not sure what’s going on yet.”

Mitchell said he hopes this isn’t a sign of more bad news.

“I mean I’d hate to not be a fan and I’d hate to see any organization go under. But at the end of the day, it is business,” Mitchell said.

Personally, I don't have faith that Mitchell and the team's other season ticket holders will be seeing a refund anytime soon.