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NHL Postpones Nine Games In Canadian Cities After Pandemic Attendance Restrictions
The NHL has announced that it will be rescheduling nine games in Canadian cities due to Covid-19 attendance restrictions.
Montreal Canadiens’ home games against Washington, Toronto, Buffalo and Columbus in the first 10 days of January will be moved to yet-to-be-determined dates when it is hoped that restrictions are eased or lifted.
The Bruins-Canadiens game on January 12 is being moved to Boston, with a make-up home date in Montreal to be announced later on.
Two Winnipeg Jets’ home games — Jan. 8 v Seattle and Jan. 10 v Minnesota — will also be rescheduled, as will the New Year’s Eve games featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Ottawa Senators and the Jets’ trip to Calgary Flames.
The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jan. 3 home game against Carolina will also need to be rescheduled.
Meanwhile, two games between the Canadian and U.S. women’s hockey teams in Alberta have been canceled.
The Rivalry Series was scheduled to be concluded on Jan. 3 in Edmonton during the world junior men’s hockey championship and Jan. 6 in Red Deer.
Both games were called off because several Canadian players and staff were in Covid-19 protocol, said Hockey Canada in a statement on Tuesday.
“The risk associated with playing the final two Rivalry Series games with less than one month before our teams are set to compete in the 2022 Olympics is too high to finish our series with the United States,” said Gina Kingsbury, director of hockey operations with Hockey Canada.
“Changing our schedule and not being able to play the United States is always difficult, as our players and staff want to play against international competition and put on a great show for hockey fans.
“Unfortunately, we need to do what is right for our athletes from a health perspective and for our team preparation in order to ensure everyone remains healthy and eligible for Beijing.”
/Stewart Sports news editor
