Organization announced game cancelation due to odd reasons: Fans are in doubt

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins had an unusual preseason problem Friday, and this one had nothing to do with the lineup.

The Penguins canceled their scheduled game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms because of a mechanical issue at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza.

That's the kind of announcement nobody expects on game day. Instead of a final tune-up on the ice, both teams suddenly had their plans changed by an arena problem.

The Penguins didn't provide further details on the exact nature of the mechanical issue in their announcement. They said more information regarding tickets would be released shortly.

For players trying to earn jobs or establish roles, losing a preseason game isn't ideal. Every exhibition date offers another chance for coaches to evaluate combinations, special teams and individual performances.

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But the timing could have been much worse.

An arena problem forcing a cancellation during the regular season would create a much bigger headache involving the schedule, standings and ticket holders.

"Bush league to not have your barn ready to go for the preseason opener."

An unusual preseason cancellation in Wilkes-Barre

That's why discovering the issue now carries at least one silver lining. Preseason exists for teams to work through problems before the games count, and apparently that can extend beyond the bench and locker room.

There was no opponent withdrawal or last-minute roster issue behind the cancellation. The Penguins specifically pointed to the mechanical problem at the arena.

It still makes for a strange scene. Players prepare all day for puck drop, fans make their plans, and then an issue with the building wipes the game off the schedule.

The immediate concern now shifts to getting the arena ready for its next event and determining what comes next for affected ticket holders.

For the Penguins and Phantoms, the hockey consequence is straightforward: one fewer preseason game to evaluate players before roster decisions arrive.

Nobody wants to lose an exhibition date this way. But if an arena issue is going to surface, September is a far better time to deal with it than when regular-season points are on the line.

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