Colorado Avalanche games postponed through the new year ‘due to COVID-related issues’
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche are not scheduled to play their next game until 2022 as a home-and-home against the Dallas Stars was postponed Monday afternoon.
The NHL announced “due to COVID-related issues,” Wednesday’s home game and Friday’s road game against Dallas were postponed with makeup dates yet to be determined.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the Stars had eight players and two staff members in COVID-19 protocol. Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell were added Monday, joining Radek Faksa, Jani Hakanpaa, Miro Heiskanen, Joel Kiviranta, Michael Raffl and Jason Robertson, along with two support staff members.
Meanwhile four Avalanche players were in COVID protocol following the return of defenseman Kurtis MacDermid on Monday. Colorado announced Sunday that forwards Nazem Kadri, Logan O’Connor and Mikko Rantanen and goaltender Pavel Francouz were still in protocol.
All except Francouz (Jan. 5) are expected to return by the date of the Avalanche’s next scheduled game Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks at Ball Arena.
Colorado has now had seven December games postponed. Two were home games.
“Over the last couple years, we’ve learned to deal with these sorts of situations,” Avalanche forward J.T. Compher said. “Guys do a great job of staying in shape, whether it’s during shutdown or long breaks or times when we’re not playing.
“It’s our job. We’ll be ready to go when we get the chance.”
The Avalanche recalled forward Mikhail Maltsev and goaltender Hunter Miska to fill out the newly resurrected “taxi squad,” then immediately reassigned them after practice. The Colorado Eagles have road games scheduled for Wednesday and Friday.
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