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The KHL suspends its playoffs until April 10

By Ian Oland

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March 17, 2020 11:39 am

The KHL became the latest global hockey league to suspend its season due to the novel coronavirus on Tuesday.

The KHL has decided to pause its postseason until April 10 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19. According to Johns Hopkins, Russia has only 93 known cases so far.

“Dear fans! We are faced with an unprecedented situation. The coronavirus pandemic has brought many sports tournaments to a halt all over the world,” KHL president Alexei Morozov said in a release. “The KHL always puts its supporters and players first. Today we, along with the Russian Premier League and the VTB United League, took an important decision for everyone – we will suspend our competitions until April 10.

“I’m speaking to you now not just as the KHL president, but also as a former hockey player. I know very well what a fantastic atmosphere you fans generate in our arenas. But today we must face up to new conditions. I urge you to understand the decision we have taken. In difficult times, people come together; right now, your support is more important than ever for the league and its clubs.”

The six remaining teams in the playoffs include CSKA, Ak Bars, SKA, Dynamo Moscow, Sibir, and Salavat Yulaev. Jokerit Helsinki recently pulled out of the postseason over health concerns to its players and staff. The team is based in Helsinki, Finland.

One of the final plays of the postseason before its stoppage was former Capitals forward Dmitrij Jaskin scoring the series-winning goal for Dynamo Moscow, Alex Ovechkin’s former team.

The second-round schedule looked like this before the pause.

Around the globe, the ECHL, SHL, and HockeyAllsvenskan canceled their seasons while the NHL and AHL have suspended their seasons until, at least, May.

More from the KHL:

The KHL, along with the Russian Premier Football League and the VTB United Basketball League, will suspend competition until April 10 in the hope of slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Taking into account the current pubic health situation, the KHL has decided to suspend the Gagarin Cup playoffs in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry of Sport and the decisions of regional authorities.

If, by April 10, the present restrictions are lifted or eased, the KHL will be ready to continue with the playoffs. In that event, the format and timetable for the revised season will be announced on the league’s official online resources.

If Russia remains in its current state of heightened alert due to the outbreak, and restrictions on attending games remain in place, the KHL will make a further announcement at that time.

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