Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the 2020-21 WHL Season will conclude following the completion of the 24-game Regular Season schedule.
Due to current public health conditions and the ongoing challenges with COVID-19, including restrictions on travel across both provincial and international borders, the WHL is not in a position to conduct the 2021 WHL Playoffs, including the WHL Championship Series.
“When we returned to play in February, we set out with the intention of completing a 24-game Regular Season schedule, knowing adjustments would be needed along the way,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We remained hopeful that public health conditions would improve, but unfortunately that is not the reality we see in front of us today. The ongoing challenges with non-essential interprovincial and international cross-border travel leave us no alternative but to cancel the 2021 WHL Playoffs.
“We commend our players, team staff, and officials for their commitment to following the protocols that have made this unprecedented season a success. The WHL looks forward to recognizing individual award winners and all four WHL Division champions at the conclusion of the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season, including the presentation of the RE/MAX Cup for the B.C. Division champions and the Subway Cup for the East Division champions.”
The 2021 WHL Awards will recognize individual award winners from each WHL Division, as opposed to the traditional celebration of conference-based award winners. The 2021 WHL Awards will culminate with honorees in each major awards category on a League-wide basis. The 2021 WHL Awards will be celebrated digitally following the conclusion of the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season.
The WHL will continue to work with Government and Health Authorities regarding schedule options for the 2021-22 WHL Regular Season
Meanwhile, Medicine Hat Tigers edged Red Deer Rebels 3-2 on a 35-29 shot differential for the Hat who also went a 1-1 on the powerplay. Red Deer had a goal on three tries.
Winnipeg Ice dump Swift Current Broncos 5-2, yet both teams went scoreless on the powerplay. Winnipeg 0-5, Swift Current 0-4, but a huge spread in the shots with Winnipeg a 45-18 advantage.
Moose Jaw Warriors took a 4-1 win over the Prince Albert Raiders. Moose Jaw took the only powerplay goal in the contest 1-5 and held Prince Albert off the sheet in their 4 tries.
Kelowna Rockets seemed not to have lost anything with their time off with a huge win over the Victoria Royals. 7-2 was the final, with Kelowna scoring on both powerplay chances and holding Victoria to a 1-7 on theirs. Kelowna only shot 32 times on Victoria to the Royals 28 but obviously maximized their output from the middle of the first period to the middle of the second, where they got four goals.
Prince George Cougars and Vancouver Giants were in a defensive struggle, with the Giants squeaking out a 2-1 win in regulation. Both teams were fruitless on the powerplay, with Prince George 0-5, Vancouver 0-4. The Cougars took the shot count though 34-29.
28 games will be played during the rest of the week, including a pair by Portland versus Seattle to end off the week.
