Vancouver Canucks postpones weekend games
Posted December 18, 2021 11:10 am.
Last Updated December 18, 2021 2:52 pm.
The NHL has postponed the next two games for the Vancouver Canucks.
The local team was meant to play against Toronto Maple Leafs’ game Saturday and the Arizona Coyotes Sunday.
Five Canucks players have been placed into the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, including defenceman Tyler Myers just today. Vancouver is in the midst of a six-game winning streak.
The next two games have also been postponed for the Toronto Maple Leafs who are also experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak.
Toronto added captain John Tavares, Alexander Kerfoot, Wayne Simmonds and Jason Spezza to the protocol list.
After the Maple Leafs learned of the status of Tavares and Kerfoot, the team cancelled its practice at the University of British Columbia as a precaution.
“Since we came out west to Edmonton, I haven’t left my hotel except for going for walks,” Maple Leafs’ coach Sheldon Keefe said this week. “Frankly, my priority right now is to get back to Toronto in time for Christmas healthy and safe. Get back to my family. I think everybody is like that.
“It’s even extra challenging being on the road right now, because I don’t want to be stuck here through Christmas. So, there are lots of reasons to be smart right now.”
On Friday the NHL postponed Saturday’s game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston along with all Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche games through Christmas because of COVID-19 concerns.
Western Hockey League in full force unlike NHL
With a game Saturday, and a strict COVID-19 protocol, the Vancouver Giants do not plan on postponing any games.
Giants broadcaster, Dan O’Conner, says regular COVID testing has helped to keep players in good health.
“We don’t have any sickness on our team.. we have our own protocols through the Western Hockey League that we’ve been following closely since the start of the season. We have been given the full go ahead to drop the puck tonight,” he explains.
Many fans planning on attending Saturday’s Canucks game are out of luck, but O’Conner says the same fans are welcome to Giants games.
“We are we are fully capable of providing our fans with a safe, enjoyable hockey experience tonight as we have for the entire season to this point.”
– With files from Katarina Szulc
