NORTH BATTLEFORD - Hockey fans in most of the Access Now TV area were glued to their sets to watch their live coverage of Game Seven of the WHL series between the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades Monday.
It was a highly anticipated matchup and the talk of the province, with the favored Blades trying to end the season of Pats phenom Connor Bedard in front of almost 15,000 fans at SaskTel Centre.
But one notable viewing area missed out on the dramatic game: the Battlefords.
Blame North Battleford City Hall. Instead of Pats-Blades, it was preempted on Access Now TV so local viewers could receive regular Monday coverage of the North Battleford city council meeting from Don Ross Centre.
Access Now TV broke the bad news to Battlefords hockey fans on their Twitter feed Monday:
“Due to North Battleford City Council the towns of North Battleford, Battleford, Hafford, & Cochin will not be airing Regina Pats vs Saskatoon Blades Game 7. If you are a NexTV subscriber you can watch the game on AccessNow TV Regina & Area (Channel 20). You can also watch on the AccessNow TV App if you are connected to an Access internet connection.”
For non-Access customers, subscribers to the regular WHL Live service online offered by the league were also able to view the game. Fans could sign up for a 24-hour all-access pass which would have cost $6.99.
The reaction from local hockey fans was predictable on Twitter.
“Cancel the meeting!!!!!” was the reaction from Monday Nooner. Another posted “Boooo North Battleford City Council! The destroyer of fun.”
“North Battleford city council not big Bedard guys,” was another reaction.
For those who didn’t tune in and are wondering about the final score, Saskatoon ended up beating Regina 4-1 in Game Seven to advance to take on the Red Deer Rebels.
