The Avon River Rats attempted to open the 2017 portion of their regular season schedule in the Nova Scotia Regional Junior Hockey League but had both games postponed due to poor conditions.
They were scheduled to take their first place 16-4-1 record into Halifax on Jan. 6 for a road game with the second place Metro Jaguars but for safety's sake, the match was postponed.
The Jan. 8 game, which was to be played in Windsor against the Spryfield Attack, was also postponed as people were still digging out after the winter storm.
The Jaguars are still slated to be the first opponent of 2017 for the River Rats. They are scheduled to come to Windsor Jan. 14 at 7 p.m.
The Attack will then be in town on Jan. 15, also for a 7 p.m. game.
The Jaguars game remains an important one for the River Rats. Despite Avon's nine point advantage over Metro, the Jaguars still hold five games in hand on the River Rats.
The Jaguars are scheduled to be back in Windsor on Jan. 22 for another 7 p.m. game.
Along with their two contests with the River Rats, the Jaguars are also scheduled to play six other games during the month of January. The River Rats will certainly be hoping for some help from the other league teams to ensure a first place finish in the Nova Scotia Regional Junior Hockey League.
The River Rats have their sights set on winning two playoff series, then the league championship trophy, and moving on to the Maritime North Junior C Hockey Championship in Springhill in April. The championship tournament will involve the Maritime provincial winners, a host team and the championship team from Canada's three territories.