Flames add Backlund to COVID-19 protocol, games postponed through Christmas
Posted Dec 16, 2021 10:03 am.
Last Updated Dec 17, 2021 2:49 pm.
The Calgary Flames won’t be back on the ice until at least after Christmas.
Initially, the Flames were scheduled to next appear at the Saddledome on Tuesday to face Anaheim, but as more players are entered into COVID protocol, the postponement is being extended.
The Dec. 23 game against Seattle has now been delayed, with the Flames next scheduled to hit the ice on Dec. 27 against the Edmonton Oilers.
On Friday, Mikael Backlund was announced as the newest Calgary Flames player to enter COVID-19 protocol.
The team announced that Backlund, along with a member of the support staff, had tested positive for the virus.
#Flames Roster Update: Mikael Backlund and 1 member of the support staff have entered the NHL’s COVID-19 Protocol.
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 17, 2021
It’s been a tough week for the team after 17 people were added to the list on Tuesday, with nearly the entire team being added as the week went on.
Currently, 32 people, 19 of which are Flames players, have entered COVID protocol.
On Thursday, Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reported some Flames also have the Omicron variant.
Breaking: several early tests that have been sequenced confirm some Flames players are infected with Omicron variant.
Not all players' tests have been confirmed as such, as it takes several days for such testing.— Eric Francis (@EricFrancis) December 16, 2021
Of the 20 players in Calgary’s lineup on Saturday vs. the Boston Bruins, only three are not currently on the protocol list: Matthew Tkachuk, Blake Coleman, and Daniel Vladar.
On Friday, Flames General Manager Brad Treliving and Head Physician Dr. Ian Auld took time to talk about the outbreak.
Auld says this wave of infections is unlike anything he has seen before.
“We’ve had cases before and we’ve had close contacts before. I’ve never seen transmission on this level, which I think is completely in keeping with what we’re seeing across the world, originating in South Africa. It doesn’t require a huge window to move from person to person,” he explained.
Auld adds aside from a handful of people, many of the cases are mild.
“Overwhelmingly so far, our cases have been either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. We do have a few people, probably anywhere from four to six, have had what I would call moderate symptoms. So, chills, fevers, fatigue.”
To date, the Flames have had six games postponed, with the possibility of more being delayed into the new year.
