COCHRANE – Zones abruptly ended for high school soccer last week when an onslaught of grey wildfire smoke spilled into Cochrane, prompting game cancellations and a disappointing conclusion for Canmore’s team.
The Canmore Crusaders soccer boys ended up forfeiting at South Central Zones due to poor air quality after advancing to last Friday’s (May 31) semifinals.
That morning, organizers cancelled semis as heavy wildfire smoke polluted the area and caused safety risks for players and officials.
“Unfortunately, everything on Friday was called off due to dangerous smoke levels in Cochrane,” said Crusaders head coach Gary Anderson. “It was the first time I ever had to deal with anything like that.”
According to The Weather Network, Calgary, which is about 15 kilometres east of Cochrane, there was an air quality health index rating of 10+ on Friday, meaning at very high risk.
The thick wildfire smoke was pushed south to Cochrane from northern Alberta wildfire outbreaks, such as the Chuckegg Creek wildfire near High Level, where residents were evacuated on May 20.
Last season, the Crusaders won zones with a dominant victory over Brooks Composite.
This time, the sudden ending means a forfeit due to many players being away on a multi-day trip this week and they are unable to play in make-up games next week due to being too close to year-end exams.
“It’s not happening at this point,” said Anderson.
The Crusaders advanced to the semifinals and were scheduled to play Brook’s St. Joseph’s Collegiate after Thursday’s round-robin, where they won twice (one forfeit) and lost in a shootout.
In the other semifinal bracket were the Springbank Phoenix and the Cochrane Cobras. The winners would have played later on Friday.
The Crusaders were ready to go and defend their crown, but are “disappointed” with how things have played out, said Anderson.
