Western Hockey League statement on COVID-19 testing results
PUBLIC HEALTH by WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League released today the following statement on COVID-19 testing results:
The WHL completed the 11th week of its return to play with one positive test result for COVID-19 among the 1,020 tests administered across the WHL from April 18 through April 24, 2021. Additional are 120 negative test results for the Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, and Saskatoon Blades that were delayed from the week of April 11 through April 17.
In the Central Division, a total of 192 tests were administered for the Calgary Hitmen, Edmonton Oil Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers and Red Deer Rebels from April 18 through April 24. Using private PCR testing provided by DynaLIFE, testing was administered once to all members of the team delegations of players and staff.
In the East Division, a total of 213 tests were administered for the Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos, and Winnipeg ICE from April 18 through April 24. Using private PCR testing provided by DynaLIFE, testing was administered once to all members of the team delegations of players and staff. This represents the final scheduled testing period for the East Division, with no positive test results reported through the 2020-21 WHL season. The final day of competition in the WHL’s East Division is Wednesday, April 28.
In the U.S. Division, a total of 453 tests were administered for the Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, and Tri-City Americans from April 18 through April 24. Using private antigen testing, members of the team delegations for Everett, Portland, Seattle and Spokane were tested three times. Tri-City was tested twice using private antigen testing and once using private PCR testing. One positive test result for the Tri-City Americans was returned, including one player in the team cohort. This player was deemed to have been a close contact resulting from the previous one case of COVID-19, as announced on Saturday, April 17. The player remains in isolation at this time.
All other Tri-City Americans players and staff within the team cohort tested negative for COVID-19 this week. Because all individuals within the team cohort have been in isolation the latest positive test result does not impact the target date for a return to team activities.
In the B.C. Division, a total of 144 tests were administered for the Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Prince George Cougars, Vancouver Giants and Victoria Royals from April 18 through April 24. Using private PCR testing provided by DynaLIFE, testing was administered once to all members of the team delegations of players and staff.
To date, the WHL has administered a total of 8,220 tests for COVID-19 from February 12 through April 24, 2021, with 14 positive test results.
The WHL will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 testing results. The WHL will not be providing information on the identity of any individuals.
Everett Silvertips came within a couple of minutes of a shutout before giving up a goal and allowing Spokane Chiefs a chance on the board but still sunk them 6-1. The Chiefs went 0-2 on the powerplay, Everett went 2-5. Everett outshot Spokane 39-22 in the game.
Winnipeg Ice beat Saskatoon Blades 4-1. Neither team scored on the powerplay, with both teams going 0-3 in their tries with the man advantage. Winnipeg outshot Saskatoon 34-26.
Regina Pats took out Moose Jaw Warriors 4-1. Moose Jaw outshot Regina 31-25. Regina went 2-3 on the powerplay, holding Moose Jaw off the scoresheet in their 5 tries.
Kamloops Blazers edged Victoria Royals 3-2, more than doubling the shot attempts at 34-16. On the powerplay, Victoria scored both of their goals on seven tries, with Kamloops going 1-2 on theirs.
Kelowna Rockets spanked Prince George Cougars 5-1, with the Rockets a 36-25 shot advantage. The Cougars went 1-5, the Rockets 1-4 on the powerplay.
Calgary Hitmen doubled up on the Lethbridge Hurricanes 6-3. The Hitmen went 1-3 on the powerplay, with the Canes 0-3. The Hitmen edged The Canes in shots at 36-34.
The next night saw the Tri-City vs Everett game being postponed due to COVID 19.
Portland Winterhawks scored twice in the first two minutes of the game. However, Seattle tied it up before Portland retook the lead in the first period. Seattle tied the game early in the second period, but Portland would score the next three goals unanswered to double up Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3. Seth Jarvis scored the last three of the game, getting another hat trick. Portland outshot Seattle 33-26. and went 3-7 on the powerplay, blanking Seattle 0-3 on theirs.
Brandon Wheat Kings went into overtime to defeat Prince Albert Raiders 5-4. The Wheat Kings outshot Prince Albert 34-27, with the Wheat Kings going 3-4 on the powerplay and Prince Albert 1-2 on theirs.
The Kelowna Rockets continued their winning ways with a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Giants. Vancouver was a perfect 1-1 on the powerplay, holding Kelowna 1-4 on theirs. Kelowna was outshot 27-20 in the game.
Edmonton Oil Kings pounced on the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1, peppering 44-25 on the shot totals against the Tigers. On the powerplay, Edmonton went 2-6, Medicine Hat 1-2.
Calgary Hitmen took care of the Lethbridge Hurricanes 7-2. Neither team scored on their four tries each on the powerplay; Calgary was outshot 29-27 in the contest.
The next night saw the Spokane game vs Tri-City being postponed.
Other games saw Portland Winterhawks take care of the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-1. The Hawks outshot the Thunderbirds 30-18. In the first period, Seattle’s only goal was where they took the initial lead. Portland would score twice in the second and twice in the third, including 1-5 on the powerplay and stopping Seattle 0-3 on the man advantage.
Swift Current Broncos doubled up Moose Jaw Warriors 4-2. The Broncos went 2 for 4 on the powerplay, giving Moose Jaw the goose egg on three opportunities. Moose Jaw outshot the Broncos 38-32 in the game.
Regina Pats fell behind the Brandon Wheat Kings and dropped a 5-1 decision. Regina could not convert on their six tries on the powerplay and was pummeled on Brandon’s 4-5 on their tries. Even worse were shots where Regina took 25-22 shots total.
Kamloops Blazers blanked the Vancouver Giants 2-0. Kamloops was stymied on their seven tries but held Vancouver off the sheet on their 4 tries with the man advantage. Kamloops outshot Vancouver 30-18 in the game.
Medicine Hat Tigers vs. Edmonton Oil Kings saw the Oil Kings once again take a win, this time 3-2. Edmonton outshot the Tigers 37-19 but could not convert on their 3 man-advantage opportunities while giving up a goal on three tries for the Hat.
Lethbridge Hurricanes took care of the Calgary Hitmen 4-1 where the Canes were blasted in the shot department 41-22 but went 2-3 on the powerplay, holding Calgary off the sheet on their four tries.
