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A20 SPORTS
Friday 13 March 2020
On ice: NHL suspends season amid coronavirus pandemic

The NHL has not said any
player has tested positive
for COVID-19. The Washing-
ton Capitals, who used the
same visiting locker room as
the Jazz at Madison Square
Garden in New York after
them, said they "will con-
tinue to closely monitor the
health of players, coaches
and hockey operations
staff." The Tampa Bay Light-
ning, who followed the Jazz
into two arenas last week-
end and occupied the
same locker room while in
Boston, said deep cleaning
and sanitizing was done
before they arrived.
"We also understand that
with no actual contact with
an infected person, our risk
levels are low," the Light-
ning said in a statement.
"As we are at no more risk
than the general popula-
tion and nobody in hockey
operations has any symp-
toms, we are not subject to
being tested at this time."
Dallas Stars forward Alex-
The Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals NHL hockey club, sits empty Thursday, March 12, 2020, in Washington.
Associated Press ander Radulov has been
sick, but team President
By STEPHEN WHYNO and erywhere." Ottawa stands as the final think everybody is worried Brad Alberts said players
JOHN WAWROW The NHL is halting play with goal of the 2019-20 season. about their families, their had not yet been tested. A
AP Hockey Writers 189 games left in the sea- "Public health and safety loved ones, and the bigger message left for Radulov's
The NHL has placed its sea- son and uncertainty about are a priority at at a time picture in general, and all agent was not immediately
son on ice — for now. how many more — if any like this," Edmonton cap- that other stuff is second- returned. "If anybody in or-
NHL Commissioner Gary — could be played before tain Connor McDavid said. ary noise. It's something ganization gets virus, ob-
Bettman said Thursday the the playoffs, which typi- "As players, we support the we haven't seen in our life- viously we'll have to test,"
league will "pause" its sea- cally begin in early April. A NHL an NHLPA's decision to time and it's much bigger Alberts said. "No testing in
son, effective immediately, handful of European hock- suspend the season for the than sports." For most peo- place and I think we've got
because of the coronavi- ey leagues have already safety of the teams and ple, the new coronavirus a healthy group as of right
rus pandemic. The move called off the remainder of their fans. We look forward causes only mild or moder- now." Alberts added the
came one day after the their seasons. to the day we can get ate symptoms, such as fe- Stars would not be practic-
NBA suspended its season "We will continue to monitor back playing the game we ver and cough. For some, ing during the league's hia-
after a player tested posi- all the appropriate medi- love in front of full arenas." especially older adults and tus. Asked what the best-
tive for COVID-19. cal advice, and we will en- Following St. Louis' 4-2 win people with existing health case scenario is, Alberts
Bettman said the hope is to courage our players and at Anaheim, Blues coach problems, it can cause said: "I think what everyone
resume play later and still other members of the NHL Craig Berube was already more severe illness, includ- is hoping for is that we take
award the Stanley Cup. community to take all rea- wondering how to prepare ing pneumonia. The vast a short pause over the next
"Following last night's news sonable precautions — in- for the unscheduled and majority of people recover several weeks and in a
that an NBA player has cluding by self-quarantine, indefinite time off. from the new virus. month or so, we can kind
tested positive for corona- where appropriate," Bet- "You can practice as much The Stanley Cup has been of get the season back re-
virus — and given that our tman said. "Our goal is to as you want but without awarded every year since energized."
leagues share so many fa- resume play as soon as it is playing games it is difficult," 1893 with two exceptions: Other hockey competitions
cilities and locker rooms appropriate and prudent, said Berube, who played 1919, when the final was are also being called off:
and it now seems likely that so that we will be able to 17 seasons in the NHL. "It's a canceled after five games — The American Hockey
some member of the NHL complete the season and bigger issue than a hockey because of the Spanish flu League and ECHL, the top
community would test posi- award the Stanley Cup." game. We have to deal outbreak, and 2005, when two minor leagues in North
tive at some point — it is no The NHL preceded its deci- with what we have to. We the season was called off America, and the junior
longer appropriate to try to sion by having all 31 teams have to keep ourselves in because of a lockout. Canadian Hockey League
continue to play games at cancel practices and pre- shape and as sharp as we "It's become apparent that suspended play.
this time," Bettman said. game skates. can if we start up again." the situation is much larger — The NWHL postponed its
The NHL Players' Associa- It was difficult to determine Former Sabres captain Bri- than sports," Boston center Isobel Cup final scheduled
tion backed the decision, what steps teams or play- an Gionta was supposed to Patrice Bergeron said. "In a for Friday night in Boston
calling it "an appropriate ers can take in regards to be among the players hon- time like, this it is important against Minnesota.
course of action at this time" practicing or even working ored on Friday night as part we continue to listen to ex- — The NCAA Frozen Four
and adding: "The players out during the hiatus. For of Buffalo's 50th anniversary perts whose job it is to main- was canceled along with
are looking forward to the now, Martin Frk scoring with celebrations. tain the safety and well-be- the rest of the winter and
opportunity to resume play 4:41 remaining in the Los "I think that's the least of ing of the population until spring championships
in front of hockey fans ev- Angeles Kings' 3-2 win over the worries," Gionta said. "I the issue stabilizes." across U.S. college sports.q