The Canadian suspected it very likely. In theory, the CH always flies the day before a match or even two days in advance when it comes to a more distant trip. For the trip to the New York area, we had postponed the departure time to 2:00 p.m., the same day of the game scheduled against the Islanders on Long Island.
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The Air Canada chartered plane will ultimately remain grounded. There will be no games against the Islanders, Rangers and Devils. After discussions between NHL executives, the Players’ Association and medical experts, Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr opted for a compromise.
The NHL will continue its activities over the next few days, but there will be no confrontations between American and Canadian teams. In such a context, the CH season will be on hiatus until December 28, the date of the next scheduled game against the Lightning in Tampa.
Dominique Ducharme will no longer have the opportunity to whistle for training. The Canadian has confirmed that the Brossard sports complex will remain closed until December 26.
Doubts and uncertainties
Back in training with his teammates after quarantine due to the damn virus, Brendan Gallagher had expressed logical fears on the eve of the team’s departure for New York.
“It’s a very hard time for the players at the moment,” Gallagher had recognized in the morning. Mainly because of the quarantine rules. If you test positive on the road, you might miss Christmas. The guys would find themselves stuck in a hotel room in New York City. We have families and this is a happy time of year for everyone. You want to stay with your family. “
“It’s a concern for many players, added the number 11. We want to stay healthy. I know there are a few cases within the team. I’m just getting out of protocol. We have conversations between players. But we also know we have a job to do. We would just like everyone to come back for the holidays with the family. “
Gallagher probably sighed with relief upon hearing the news late that afternoon.
Photo Martin Chevalier
Tolerant of pain due to his style of play, Brendan Gallagher bluntly states that he has been severely affected by COVID-19 recently.
Samuel Montembeault, who was to get a rare start on this three-game road trip, had a speech similar to that of his teammate. He was afraid to offer the Covid-19 to his relatives during Christmas.
“There are guys with kids. Chris Wideman has just had a baby, the 25-year-old goalkeeper recalled. There are also pregnant women around us. Guys don’t want to grab this and bring the virus back to families. With Christmas, things can get out of hand and you can give that to several people. “
Lehkonen and Dauphin
There are always parts of New York to explore. In a life before the pandemic, it looks like it’s been forever, the “Big Apple” was a prime destination to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Day. But inside a hotel room, there would have been no magic.
On the ice for training after a preventive break the day before, Dominique Ducharme knew that there was a real possibility of seeing this trip fall apart.
“Could this happen? We never know. It could happen in the next few hours or even Monday morning. “
Ducharme ultimately did not have to wait until the next morning.
While Gallagher and Sami Niku have now completed their quarantine, there are two other players who have taken over. Artturi Lehkonen, who tested positive on Saturday, and Laurent Dauphin are now on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
False perception
Steve Yzerman, general manager of the Red Wings, raised eyebrows a lot of people by saying that the NHL could allow asymptomatic players to continue their activities. According to the former Wings legend, the Covid-19 compared to a nasty cold and affected players in the NHL did not experience major symptoms. This was not the case for Gallagher. And if there is one player who has good pain tolerance alone, it’s him.
“I suffered from severe symptoms which hit me hard,” he said. I stayed in bed, I fought this virus. After two painful days, I felt better. Fortunately, I had received my two doses for the vaccine. “
And a little reminder. Gallagher is only 29 years old and in very good physical condition.