A massive snowstorm that has shut down the city of Sault Ste. Marie has led the Ontario Hockey League to postpone Friday night's game between the Soo Greyhounds and North Bay Battalion.
The game was scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m. at the GFL Memorial Gardens.
"The City of Sault Ste. Marie is experiencing major snow fall today," stated Bryan Crawford, OHL commissioner in a league memo.
"As a result the city has asked all residents to stay off the roads, with most every business in the city closed including the arena.
"Soo and North Bay are scheduled for a two game set tonight and tomorrow. My understanding is that North Bay is currently in transit and scheduled to arrive by 2 p.m.
"At this point, this evenings game will need to be postponed, with tomorrow's game tentative," Crawford continued.
An official release from the OHL office issued shortly after 1:30 p.m. said "the regular season game between Sault Ste. Marie and visiting North Bay scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, November 30, remains tentative pending further notice."
Arenas, schools, businesses, and city bus transit reported to be shut down Friday morning as the area experienced the major snowstorm.
No word yet on whether the postponed game Friday night will be moved to Sunday to allow the teams to complete the two games in Sault Ste. Marie this weekend.
With the shutdown of the Sault's arenas, a number of hockey games and practices were postponed as a result.
The winter weather is expected to continue overnight with more snow in the forecast for Saturday as well before the skies begin to clear on Sunday.
-with files from Brad Coccimiglio