Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Canucks will resume play Sunday after outbreak

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Friday, 16 April 2021 14:15

The Vancouver Canucks will now resume their season on Sunday and will play their remaining 19 games in 32 days, the NHL announced on Friday.

The amended schedule has the North Division finishing its season on May 19 -- the last possible buffer day the NHL built into the schedule so it can hand out the Stanley Cup by mid-July. The league has said there is a chance that the Stanley Cup playoffs will begin for the three U.S.-based divisions while the Canadian teams wrap up their schedules.

The Canucks had been ravaged by a COVID-19 outbreak and were supposed to return to play on Friday in a game against the Edmonton Oilers. However, the league gave Vancouver two extra days to prepare after veteran forward J.T. Miller delivered passionate remarks saying his team was being rushed back, adding that it is "dangerous to a lot of players."

"What we're being asked to do is not going to be too safe, if you're asking me," Miller told reporters.

"J.T.'s comments were what were needed," Canucks captain Bo Horvat said Friday. "He had his full teammates' support, and all of us were thinking the same thing."

General manager Jim Benning also backed Miller's message.

"We're dealing with a different kind of COVID; the P1 variant is different. We didn't know what to expect," Benning said Friday. "As our players started coming back and working out, then the constant communication -- they were having some symptoms that were different than regular COVID, and it took them a little longer to get up and going. I think that was relayed in J.T.'s message."

The NHLPA held a videoconference with Canucks players on Wednesday night to discuss their concerns, a source told ESPN. Some players reported to the Canucks' facility on Thursday and underwent medical examinations and cardiology screenings. The NHL, NHLPA and Canucks' medical teams determined the course of action after that.

All players who contracted COVID-19 must be cleared by a team doctor and cardiologist before returning to the ice.

The NHL originally had the Canucks playing in a back-to-back Friday and Saturday upon their return. The new schedule has Vancouver playing Sunday then Tuesday, with both games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. There are still five sets of back-to-backs in the Canucks' remaining schedule.

"If guys weren't healthy enough to play, they weren't going to play," Horvat said of the original plan to play Friday. "We needed to get evaluated by medical teams. A lot of guys didn't clear. We need enough guys to fill the roster, and guys just were not healthy enough to play. Now guys are starting to get better, and a lot more guys will be ready to play on Sunday."

Benning said there are still three players who are not well enough to begin practicing or working out.

"I think we will have a majority of our guys available [Sunday], minus three or four guys," Benning said.

Miller was one of the few players on the team who did not contract the virus in the past few weeks. More than 20 players had tested positive, as well as some family members. Members of the coaching staff were also affected.

Head coach Travis Green was among those who contracted the virus. Benning said Green hasn't been on the ice yet but hopes to run practice on Saturday and be behind the bench on Sunday.

"My wife tested positive as well," Horvat said. "It hit her a little harder than it hit me, and it's going to take some time. She's starting to get through it now, and that's the last thing I was worried about at that point was getting on the ice and playing hockey."

Many of those infected were symptomatic -- experiencing body aches, chills, dehydration -- including one player who required an IV, a source told ESPN. One player told ESPN on Tuesday that he was still experiencing brain fog, though doctors told him he was no longer contagious.

"I hope people don't take this the wrong way; I'm a super-competitive guy," said Miller, a nine-year NHL veteran. "But this isn't about hockey for our team. This is about the health and safety of our players, their family and their children. This isn't about making the playoffs."

The Canucks are 10 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the fourth playoff spot in the North Division.

Read 255 times

Soccer

Alves reports for weekly Barcelona court visit

Alves reports for weekly Barcelona court visit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Brazil footballer Dani Alves on Thursday checked in at a Bar...

Fulham stadium plans include rooftop pool

Fulham stadium plans include rooftop pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFulham have unveiled lavish plans for their redeveloped Riverside S...

Liverpool, Utd campaign to combat tragedy abuse

Liverpool, Utd campaign to combat tragedy abuse

EmailPrintLiverpool and Manchester United have jointly launched an education programme through their...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

Basketball

MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

MPJ defends brother amid betting investigation

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. said Wednesday night that...

Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

Rockets, with play-in in sight, win 10th straight

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOKLAHOMA CITY -- Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, front offic...

Baseball

'He looks happy': Has Juan Soto finally found a home with the Yankees?

'He looks happy': Has Juan Soto finally found a home with the Yankees?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWHEN JUAN SOTO began to initiate himself with the New York Yankees,...

Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

Athletics' Andújar has surgery, could miss month

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOAKLAND, Calif. -- Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar had surgery...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated