NHL delays Canucks’ return after COVID-19 outbreak
The NHL delayed the Canucks’ return to competition.
The Canucks, who have not played a game since March 24 due to a COVID-19 outbreak, had been scheduled to host the Oilers on Friday night. The league announced they would not play the game and did not immediately set a new date for Vancouver’s return.
The decision was made with input from the NHL Players’ Association and medical staff from teams, the NHL said.
Before the league made the announcement, Vancouver forward J.T. Miller said it would be “very challenging and not very safe” to play Friday night because the pandemic-hit team has not had enough time to recover and get back in shape.
The NHL plans to announce additional changes to the schedule for North Division teams on Friday.
The Canucks did not allow the media to attend practice Thursday, their first practice since the outbreak. At least 21 players and four members of the coaching staff have tested positive for the coronavirus since March 30.
Warren Foegele scored the first of three Hurricanes goals in under eight minutes in a 4-1 victory over the Predators, who remained four points ahead of the Blackhawks for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division.
Denis Gurianov had his first two-goal game of the season to end a long scoring drought, Miro Heiskanen and Joe Pavelski also scored and the Stars beat the Blue Jackets 4-1 to move one points behind the Hawks.
NBA Nets’ Aldridge retires after health scare
LaMarcus Aldridge retired from the NBA after saying he experienced an irregular heartbeat during his final game with the Nets. Aldridge, 35, posted a statement on social media saying the heart concerns he had during and after Brooklyn’s loss to the Lakers on Saturday were one of the “scariest things” he’s experienced.
Aldridge, who was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome — an abnormality that can cause a rapid heartbeat — as a rookie in 2007, said he feels better now after getting it checked out but nevertheless decided to end his 15-year career.
Lakers star Anthony Davis has been cleared for full-contact practice and is expected to return to game action soon.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL USC hit with two years’ probation
The NCAA hit USC’s men’s basketball program with two years’ probation because former assistant coach Tony Bland violated NCAA ethics rules when he accepted a bribe to steer players to a business management company. The penalties include a $5,000 fine and a 1% loss of the private school’s basketball budget.
MISCELLANEOUS Wolves game vs. Grand Rapids postponed
The Wolves’ game Thursday at Grand Rapids was postponed because of league COVID-19 protocols affecting the Wolves. A makeup date has yet to be determined. The Wolves (15-4-0-1), who have the best record in the AHL, are slated to return to action Saturday against the IceHogs.
Cameron Smith birdied the 17th and 18th holes at Harbour Town to shoot a 9-under 62, his career low on the PGA Tour, and take a one-shot lead over Stewart Cink at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina.