The Ice Pirates nearly joined the ranks of the WPHL's more recent failures. The WPHL lost Abilene and Waco in December last season, then lost Arkansas and Alexandria after the 1999-2000 season and waited until the first day of the season to announce that expansion Tucson wouldn't join the league this season. The league is notorious for selling to suspect owners, or people who don't have the means and know how to run a sports franchise. Pirtle, who has a lawsuit pending against Westfall, said he couldn't pull the rug out from under the city for something he holds Westfall accountable. Since then the team has been living on life support.
Attendance is down.
Despite that, owners want to keep hockey in Lake Charles and are confident that if run correctly, will continue to be a viable source of entertainment. The league says it wants hockey in Lake Charles. Lake Charles is a small market, but the WPHL would be wise to cooperate and work to keep the Ice Pirates alive for another season. The league has its eyes set on getting into Beaumont, Texas. But so does the East Coast Hockey League.