As virus cases surge, NHL halts two teams
Two more NHL teams have been shut down amid worsening COVID-19 tests results and a desire not to put the entire league on pause as coronavirus variants spread across North America.
All games for the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers have been postponed through at least Christmas weekend, and the hard-hit Calgary Flames had their shutdown extended through the holiday break.
The training facilities for all three teams have been closed with the league citing “concern with the number of positive cases within the last two days as well concern for continued COVID spread in the coming days.”
The latest adjustments brought the total of NHL games postponed this season to 20. More than 60 players are now in NHL COVID protocol including 19 with Calgary.
Winnipeg coach Maurice resigns: Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice has resigned, saying his longtime team needs to hear a “new voice.”
Dave Lowry, an assistant under Maurice, agreed to serve as the interim coach for the rest of the season, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
COVID prompts schedule changes
No. 21 Kentucky will now face North Carolina on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas after each of their opponents had to drop out due to COVID-19 issues, while No. 16 Seton Hall’s second cancellation in as many days will lead to a forfeit in the Big East Conference standings.
The worsening coronavirus situation forced another schedule scramble Friday. The new matchup was announced after fourthranked UCLA canceled its game against the Tar Heels.
At least 20 men’s basketball games and 36 women’s basketball games have been canceled or postponed this season due to COVID-19 protocols as of Friday afternoon.
Creighton knocks off No. 9 Villanova: Ryan Hawkins scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures, and Creighton closed with a flurry in a 79-59 victory over No. 9 Villanova at Omaha, Neb.
No. 4 Arizona overwhelms Northern Arizona: Aaronette Vonleh scored 17 points, Madison Conner added 12 and the fourth-ranked Arizona women overwhelmed Northern Arizona 82-55 at Flagstaff, Ariz.
USC’s Enfield gets extension: After winning Pac-12 coach-of-the-year honors and guiding USC on an unexpected run to the Elite Eight in his eighth season, Andy Enfield won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
USC locked up its coach with a three-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season.
SOCCER
Dash add Ashley from Louisville
The Dash acquired defender Julia Ashley ina trade with Racing Louisville FC for the No. 26 overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.
Houston acquired the pick and $125,000 in allocation money from Angel City FC on Thursday evening following a trade for the no. 6 overall pick.
TENNIS
Nadal back after 4-month layoff
A rusty Rafael Nadal played his first match in more than four months on Friday, losing in straight sets to Andy Murray at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.