Tonight's game still on after no other Canucks test positive for COVID-19

Mar 31 2021, 6:59 pm

The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames are preparing to play a hockey game tonight at Rogers Arena, one day after a positive COVID-19 test put that in doubt.

Adam Gaudette left the ice mid-practice yesterday, after it was discovered that he tested positive for the virus.

The good news is nobody else associated with the Canucks has tested positive. Gaudette, meanwhile, has been isolated and is following the NHL’s COVID protocols.

“Adam Gaudette has been confirmed to be in COVID protocol,” said Green. “As far as our team, it’s been limited to one person. We’ve been following NHL protocol and we’re getting ready to play a game tonight.”

NHL health and safety protocols require any player that tests positive to be isolated immediately, while the lab conducts a “second run” confirmatory test on the same respiratory sample. Contact tracing is also conducted. Gaudette would be considered a “confirmed positive” after returning a second positive test.

Players and staff are tested daily, with the results typically returned about 24 hours later, according to Green.

After missing practice yesterday because he wasn’t feeling well, Jake Virtanen returned to the ice on Wednesday. The Canucks had a full practice, with Green saying they received an indication last night that they would be good to go today.

Here’s how they lined up, according to The Athletic’s Thomas Drance:

“Yesterday when you get the news, you’re always wondering about it,” Green added. “Last night we had a pretty good idea that we were good to go this morning. We’ve had six days off prepping for a game here, we’ve tried to just stay focused on that task and let the people in charge that advise us on the protocols let us know if there’s anything else changing.”

COVID variants were a concern when two Montreal Canadiens players entered league protocol, causing the NHL to reschedule four of their games. Green didn’t say if Gaudette tested positive for a variant, though given no games are being rescheduled, it would seem that the league is viewing this incident differently.

“We’re preparing to play, we haven’t been told otherwise,” said Green. “If something changes, the players will be the first to know and the media will be next to know.”

Puck drop tonight is set for just after 7:30 pm PT.

Rob WilliamsRob Williams

+ Offside
+ Hockey
+ Canucks
ADVERTISEMENT