The Washington Capitals received a fine of $100,000 after some of its players violated the COVID-19 protocols. The organization did not seem to like what happened to the team.
Why did the Capitals get Fined?
COVID-19 protocols are implemented everywhere, especially in the league, which exercises safer space for players, staff, and audiences. The case of the Washington Capitals, however, was different.
As per Sporting News, the hockey team broke the protocol by closely interacting with its members without any face covering.
The involved Capitals are the four Russian players: winger Alex Ovechkin, goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Dmitry Orlov. They will be sidelined both in practice and in-game for violating COVID-19 protocols.
Meanwhile, the organization expressed disappointment in their players who violated the COVID-19 protocol.
"Our training staff has worked extremely hard to create a safe environment for our players and staff to be able to compete this season. We are disappointed by our players' choice to interact in their hotel room and outside of team approved areas. We accept the NHL's decision and once again will reiterate the COVID-19 Protocols in place to make sure the players are in full compliance moving forward," the organization said.
Shortly, Ovechkin issued an apology and took full responsibility for his team's negligence in a hotel room. The 35-year-old Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy awardee showed remorse after his experience with his fellow Russian hockey comrades. He added that he would learn from what happened, NBC Sports reported.
With Ovechkin and the other three out for the game, the Capitals will play without their captain. However, it is still possible for the violators to return to the game when they face the Buffalo Sabres on Friday for the third time.
The previous matches happened last January 14, and January 15, wherein Washington dominated both the Sabers' road games at the First Niagara Center.
Meanwhile, five Carolina Hurricanes players were placed on the COVID-19 list, so the NHL moved their game schedules. The hockey league said that the Hurricanes' training camps were subject to closure, and will be opened upon announcement.
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According to Action News Jax, the postponement was not the first time for Carolina. The first recorded delayed game started this January when the Hurricanes landed in Nashville.
It was not directly said by the NHL, which team caused the delay. But on Tuesday afternoon, Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan, Martinook, Jaccob Slavin, and Warren Foegele, all Carolina hockey athletes, joined the COVID-19 list.
Furthermore, the league noted that the Hurricanes complied with the safety COVID-19 protocols. Still, Carolina captain Jordan Staal was ruled out to play since Friday and being added to the COVID-19 list. The following day, the Hurricanes succumbed to Detroit, then returned to its shape following Monday's win in Nashville.
While the Capitals also shared the same arena with the NBA's Washington Wizards in downtown Washington, the basketball team resumed their team practice on Wednesday. The Wizards were already cleared to train after a series of COVID-19 tests.
Earlier, six Wizard cagers contracted COVID-19, and three were examined after being exposed to the COVID-19 positive players.
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