Silver Knights game canceled after 2 periods for COVID protocols

The Silver Knights’ exhibition game Saturday night against San Jose was canceled after two periods in accordance with the American Hockey League’s COVID-19 protocols.

The Silver Knights led 1-0 at Orleans Arena, and both teams were on the ice for the start of the third period when they were removed.

According to a statement from the organization, the cancellation was not because of a positive COVID test result from a Silver Knights player or staff.

The San Jose Sharks, who own the AHL’s Barracuda, announced Sunday that they received a positive test result for one player during Saturday’s game that resulted in the cancellation.

The Silver Knights have not commented Sunday on whether they will shut down activities in response to the positive test.

The AHL season opener is scheduled for Saturday at Orleans Arena against Ontario.

The teams were playing for the second straight day after the Silver Knights defeated San Jose 7-3 in Friday’s exhibition opener.

Before Friday’s game, the Sharks recalled forward Kurtis Gabriel and goaltender Josef Korenar from the Barracuda and assigned eight players to the AHL. Forward Rudolfs Balcers also was sent to the Barracuda on a conditioning assignment.

Forward Joel Kellman was the only one of those players not in the lineup Saturday for San Jose.

The sudden stoppage comes two days after the Golden Knights had their game against the St. Louis Blues postponed while the league takes more time to analyze COVID test results.

The Knights’ series against the San Jose Sharks that was scheduled for Monday and Wednesday in Glendale, Arizona, also was postponed by the league.

At least one member of the Golden Knights’ coaching staff tested positive for COVID-19, according to general manager Kelly McCrimmon, and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo has appeared on the league’s list of COVID protocol-related absences since Thursday.

The league said a total of four players and coaches from the Golden Knights are unavailable while isolating based on the NHL’s COVID protocols.

Silver Knights coach Manny Viveiros and assistants Jamie Heward and Joel Ward were on the bench for the Golden Knights during their 5-4 shootout loss Tuesday and are avoiding contact with the AHL club while they observe NHL COVID protocols.

Deryk Engelland coached the Silver Knights on Saturday for the second straight game. Viveiros and his staff were in a suite near the top of Orleans Arena, and a witness said they hastily packed their belongings when it was announced the game was suspended.

Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.