Curtain comes down early on first-ever NIHL National season due to coronavirus pandemic

AS EXPECTED the inaugural NIHL National season is over for Hull Pirates, Sheffield Steeldogs and Leeds Chiefs after the governing body on Monday night cancelled all competitive games through until May 31 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
By Phil Harrison
Published 16th Mar 2020, 23:46 BST
SEASON'S END: Rival NIHL National coaches Ben Morgan, Jason Hewitt and Sam Zajac.SEASON'S END: Rival NIHL National coaches Ben Morgan, Jason Hewitt and Sam Zajac.
SEASON'S END: Rival NIHL National coaches Ben Morgan, Jason Hewitt and Sam Zajac.

The ruling covers all leagues governed by the English Ice Hockey Association and Scottish Ice Hockey.

It comes on the back of the latest government advice announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night, following Friday’s announcement which allowed all scheduled games to go ahead.

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Four games were played on Saturday night in NIHL National, but Hull, Sheffield and Leeds saw their scheduled home games on Sunday cancelled after their respective opponents – Basingstoke, Bracknell and Milton Keynes – decided not to travel given their concerns over the growing coronavirus crisis.

The Elite League - which includes Sheffield Steelers – cancelled their season on Friday in the wake of reports that a number of players had gone into self-isolation having shown coronavirus symptoms.

A joint statement issued last night by the EIHA and SIH, said: “All competitive activity sanctioned by the EIHA and SIH up to and including 31st May 2020 is cancelled from Tuesday 17th March 2020 with a further statement on 1st May 2020 for all competitive activities after 31st May 2020.”

Related topics:Boris JohnsonSheffield