The Cox Center in Oklahoma City was supposed to be abuzz Friday night with Game 4 of the AHL Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Barons and Grand Rapid Griffins.
But a tornadoes that again touched down near the city on Friday postponed the game until Saturday, the Yahoo.com blog Puck Daddy reported. The storms from the tornadoes flooded the inside of the arena.
Barons forward Josh Green tweeted a photo of the water that permeated the dressing room.
The AHL sent out a news release, citing the reason behind the postponement:
"With the Oklahoma City metro area under a tornado emergency, the arena was evacuated and all occupants were moved to safety in the parking garage beneath the Cox Convention Center at approximately 6:45 p.m. local time. After nearly 90 minutes, everyone was permitted to return to the building but it was determined that in the best interests of fans, players, officials and staff, the game would not be played as scheduled."
The Oklahoman reported that the east side of the arena, east concourse and parts of the east section suffered flood damage along with the Barons locker room.
Game 5 will take place Sunday.
"At this point we have a facility that is practically flooded," said Prodigal CEO Bob Funk Jr., who runs the Barons for the Edmonton Oilers. "We have to not only take the players' safety into consideration but the overall status of the building.
"This building is not in shape to go play a game. We had to make a call tonight, and we decided it was in the best interest of the players, spectators and workers' safety that we postpone the game and play it on Sunday."
Members of the Barons team tried to keep their sense of humor during the situation.
"This is my first rainout in professional hockey," Barons coach Todd Nelson told the Oklahoman.
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