COVID hits Canucks hard
Multiple outlets reported Sunday that more than half the players on the Canucks have tested positive for COVID-19 and that additional players are expected to be added to the team’s COVID-19 protocol list besides the 14 who appeared on it Saturday.
Some players are symptomatic, and one told ESPN he had heard of teammates receiving IV treatments for severe dehydration. A source told ESPN at least three Canucks coaches have tested positive for the virus, too.
‘‘Fatigue, dehydration, the symptoms are intense,’’ the agent of one player told ESPN. ‘‘It’s knocked a lot of guys out. Some can’t even get out of bed.’’
A source confirmed to ESPN that the more infectious P.1 variant of COVID-19, which first was found in Brazil, has been found among several of the cases affecting the Canucks. They are the first known cases of the new variant among NHL teams.
The NHL is hopeful the Canucks will be able to resume play this season. Decisions about scheduling will be made in the next few days.
† Stars coach Rick Bowness was pulled from behind the bench after two periods of the team’s game against the Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, because of COVID protocols. General manager Jim Nill said that Bowness is fully vaccinated and that the team thinks it was a false-positive test result.
† Thomas Greiss made 27 saves, and the Red Wings earned their first road victory against the Lightning since Feb. 17, 2011, with a 5-1 triumph. The Lightning had won 17 consecutive home games against the Red Wings since then.