Exhibition vs. San Jose canceled

Called after two periods because of protocols

Just when it appeared there was a glimmer of hope the Golden Knights could resume activities soon, a plot twist came Saturday evening.

The Silver Knights’ exhibition game against San Jose at Orleans Arena was canceled before the start of the third period in accordance with the American Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocols.

The Silver Knights led 1-0, and both teams were on the ice for the start of the third period when they were removed.

According to a statement from the organization, the cancellation was not because of a positive COVID test result from a Silver Knights player or staff member.

That development came after the NHL’s list of COVID protocol-related absences was released in the afternoon and contained no new Golden Knights players for the second straight day.

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo remained the team’s only player included in the COVID protocols Saturday. The league previously said three members of the coaching staff were in the protocol and being isolated.

The facilities at City National Arena remain closed, and there is no media availability while the team is away. The league is not providing any further details on when the Knights might be cleared to return.

A two-game series against the San Jose Sharks that was scheduled for Monday and Wednesday in Glendale, Arizona, was postponed, and the league will reschedule the series for San Jose, California.

The Knights host the Los Angeles Kings on Friday and Feb. 7 at T-Mobile Arena, and there has been no announcement whether those games will be played as scheduled.

The NHL is releasing the names of players who are unavailable because of COVID protocols each day.

These absences can be the result of an initial unconfirmed positive test, mandated isolation for symptomatic individuals, required quarantine as a high-risk close contact, a confirmed positive test result and/or quarantine for travel or other reasons.

Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon coached the team in a 5-4 home shootout loss to St. Louis on Tuesday and confirmed after the game a member of the coaching staff tested positive. Coach Pete DeBoer and assistants Steve Spott, Ryan Craig and Ryan McGill have been self-isolating since that time.

The Knights’ home game against St. Louis on Thursday was postponed.