2022-01-26
Junior hockey leagues prepare to return in February if health regulations permit
by KEVIN MCBAIN
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League (NSJHL) has laid out plans to re-start the season, all pending the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
A statement released Jan. 20 indicated a new schedule has been drafted based on a restart date of Feb. 1.
Each of the 12 teams will play five home and five away games during the month of February, and they'll play each team in their own division twice.
The Liverpool Privateers will kick things off on opening day Feb. 4 with a game in East Hants; on Feb. 5, they'll host Capstone.
All teams will compete in the playoffs this year with final standings and playoff positioning being based on points percentage.
The statement also pointed out that the decision to restart will be reflective of the decision of Nova Scotia Health to allow venues to welcome fans at 50 per cent capacity. If this is not the case, the NSJHL governors will meet again to decide the next steps.
When play was halted in December, the Privateers were fourth in the Fred Fox standings with 17 points in 15 games, including seven wins, five losses, two overtime losses and one shootout loss.
The Privateers's last game was played Dec. 4.
MHL and NSRJHL updates
The Maritime Hockey League is also in the midst of preparing for a return to play in early February.
Work is underway on a revised 42-game schedule for each team. This season, teams were set to play a full 52 games.
After 25 games, the South Shore Lumberjacks were last in the league with a record of four wins, 19 losses, one overtime loss and one shootout loss for 10 points.
The Lumberjacks last played Dec. 11.
The Nova Scotia Regional Hockey League also continues to prepare for a restart.
Chester Castaways general manager Mike LaPierre said the team also is hoping to get back to competition in early February.
The team is slated to begin practising this week following COVID-19 restrictions.
The Castaways are third in the league after 13 games played, with a record of nine wins, four losses and 18 points. They played their last game Dec. 5.
