The deciding Game 5 of the PWHL semifinals between the Montreal Victoire and Minnesota Frost has been moved to Tuesday night, the league announced Monday evening. Originally scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. Eastern, the game was postponed less than three hours before puck drop due to “player safety concerns related to illness,” according to the league.
Postponing a playoff game in professional sports is highly uncommon. Apart from the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, pro teams have traditionally played through illness—either with a shortened roster or using call-ups—during both the regular season and postseason.
“The decision was made following consultation with medical personnel and in accordance with the league’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of players, fans, staff and all those involved in the competition,” the league stated.
The league did not specify the type of illness or how many players were affected. However, it confirmed that “medical assessment determined that the symptoms are not consistent with hantavirus,” the rare but often fatal disease recently linked to a cruise-ship outbreak.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the illness is currently confined to the Victoire, with no Frost players affected as of Monday evening. Sick players have been isolated from the team.
The Victoire returned from Minnesota on Saturday and held an optional practice on Sunday. The league first learned of the player illness on Monday and decided to postpone the game after the number of affected individuals continued to rise.
This marks the second time this season a major women’s hockey game has been postponed due to illness. At the women’s Olympic hockey tournament in Milan, Team Canada’s opening game was delayed after members of Team Finland contracted norovirus.
The league’s initial statement said a new date for Game 5 would be “announced as soon as medical guidance determines it is appropriate to resume play.” A league spokesperson confirmed to The Athletic that medical professionals cleared play to resume Tuesday.
According to the PWHL, all tickets for the game remain valid for the rescheduled date. The winner will advance to face the Ottawa Charge, who defeated the Boston Fleet in the other first-round series on Sunday night.
Earlier Monday, the PWHL announced that Ottawa will host Games 3 and 4 of the Walter Cup Finals on May 18 and May 20 at the Canadian Tire Centre.
