It’s bad news for those who were looking forward to the BCHL playoff action between rivals Penticton Vees and Vernon Vipers.
The Canadian Junior Hockey League has cancelled all games and “hockey-related activity” across the country, which includes the BCHL playoffs, due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Thursday afternoon, the CJHL posted to their website that all of its 10 member league’s playoffs, its four regional championships, and the Centennial Cup Canadian National Junior A Championship scheduled to take place in May in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba have all been cancelled, until further notice.
“Following in-depth deliberations with our executive board and each of the commissioners/presidents, along with consultations with medical experts, as well as Hockey Canada, the decision has been made to put a hold on the season for the time being,” said CJHL president Brent Ladds.
“We will continue to stay abreast of the situation as it evolves and we will provide further updates as they become available.”
The announcement means the first game of the second-round playoff series between the Penticton Vees and the Vernon Vipers on Friday has been cancelled.
ORIGINAL: 12:55 p.m.
The continuation of the BCHL playoffs may be in jeopardy as Hockey Canada meets with leagues across the country Thursday to discuss a response to the COVID-19 threat.
It was practice as usual Thursday morning at South Okanagan Events Centre, but the potential loss of a playoff run is looming over the Penticton Vees.
They are preparing for their BCHL second round series against arch-rival Vernon Friday in Penticton. But as major sports leagues around North America including the NHL announce the suspension of their games, Vees head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson said he expects a meeting with Hockey Canada Thursday afternoon will discuss the future of the season.
“We’re seeing all over the world right now what’s going on. It’s something we can’t control right now. Obviously we try to educate our players on what’s happening and take whatever precautions you can,” Harbinson said prior to the team’s 10:30 a.m. workout.
“As far as having big groups of people and that sort of thing, I guess we’ll find out soon enough if we’ll be allowed to play, and if the government steps in. It’s tough, because there’s a lot of things in the game you can control as a player and as a coach. This is one of those ones that you can’t.”
At this point, his plan is keeping an open mind.
“There’s a lot of things that could go on. We could move on as normal and nothing changes. Maybe today they make a decision at a league level that they’re going to shorten the series to a best of five. Or they could say we’re shutting it down for good, or just suspending it and buying some time,” Harbinson explained.
“There’s a lot of different options that go in. And of course, there’s repercussions that come out of all of it. First and foremost is the health of the community.”
In the meantime, it’s business as usual for the team.
“We’re going to have a good practice today and prepare as if we’re playing tomorrow night and that the series is going to go on,” summarized Harbinson.
If the league goes ahead with its playoff schedule, the Vees will face the Vipers in Game 1 Friday at 7 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
