The NHL has postponed any cross-border video games by means of the Dec. 23 begin of the vacation break, amid the crush of COVID-19 instances within the league.
And the possibility of the NHL’s presence on the Beijing Olympics seems to be dwindling.
The cross-border determination, made collectively by the NHL and the Nationwide Hockey League Gamers’ Affiliation, was “because of the concern about cross-border journey and, given the fluid nature of federal journey restrictions,” the league stated in launch Sunday. It goes into impact Monday.
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Sunday’s assertion additionally stated that, given the disruption the pandemic has already created within the regular-season schedule, with 27 video games postponed as of Saturday, and no less than 12 extra by means of Dec. 23, there may be concern in regards to the Olympics.
“(With) the continued uncertainty attributable to the continuing COVID pandemic, the NHL and NHLPA are actively discussing the matter of NHL Participant participation within the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, and count on to be ready to announce a closing dedication within the coming days,” the assertion stated.
The Winnipeg Jets had been the one Canadian crew taking part in on Sunday — towards visiting St. Louis — after three video games involving Canadian groups had already been postponed in a schedule ravaged by the swift rise of instances.
Ottawa was scheduled to host Boston on Sunday, whereas the Toronto Maple Leafs had been set to play in Seattle, and Vancouver was at residence to Arizona.
Extra video games which have been postponed are a pair of matchups Monday that had Montreal on the highway towards the New York Islanders, and Edmonton internet hosting Anaheim.
Ottawa’s residence recreation towards St. Louis, and Vancouver’s recreation at San Jose on Tuesday have been pushed again.
Wednesday’s Canadiens recreation on the New York Rangers, Winnipeg’s recreation at Dallas and the Edmonton Oilers’ highway recreation at L.A. have been postponed.
4 video games on Thursday have been scrubbed: Toronto’s residence recreation towards St. Louis, Ottawa’s recreation towards visiting Carolina, Montreal’s journey to New Jersey, and the Canucks’ recreation towards visiting Anaheim.
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The league and gamers’ affiliation agreed to proceed the regular-season schedule after the break.
“Though there was a current improve in constructive COVID check outcomes amongst gamers, coaches and hockey workers, there have been a low variety of constructive instances which have resulted in regarding signs or severe sickness,” the assertion stated.
“Due to this fact . . . medical specialists have decided that, with nearly all gamers and membership hockey workers totally vaccinated, the necessity to quickly shut down particular person groups ought to proceed to be made on a case-by-case foundation.”
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