Victoria Grizzlies were supposed to head to Powell River today to face the Kings tonight, but instead the players will be home isolating as Tuesday night the Grizzlies became the fifth BC Hockey League (BCHL) team forced to pause all activities for five days due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
The Grizzlies join Cowichan Valley Capitals, Langley Rivermen, Penticton Vees and Trail Smoke Eaters as teams currently inactive, meaning no games or practices.
The Grizzlies have postponed tonight’s game in Powell River against the Kings and Saturday’s game in Coquitlam against the Express. The Grizzlies’ game Sunday in Langley had already been postponed due to the Rivermen undergoing a five-day protocol break announced Monday.
All games and practices involving Cowichan Valley, Langley and Penticton will be postponed through Sunday. The Grizzlies and Smoke Eaters will be out commission until Monday. Trail will have three games postponed.
“Nobody on our team is feeling sick,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon. “We have no illnesses but it’s safety first.”
Didmon said the Grizzlies situation involves three players.
It’s simply something that must be factored into the current health situation, he added.
“We’ll stay separate and move on next Monday.”
The Capitals have their home games Thursday against the Rivermen and Friday against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs postponed. The Nanaimo Clippers have had their home game Friday against Langley postponed.
The Grizzlies’ next scheduled game is January 12 when they travel to Nanaimo to take on the Clippers.
Kings are scheduled to host Surrey Eagles for a pair of games at Hap Parker Arena this weekend. Game times are 7 pm Saturday, January 8, and 1:30 pm Sunday, January 9.
