Amid coronavirus pandemic, Blue Jackets, Sharks to play home games without fans

Jackie Spiegel

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Blue Jackets, Sharks to play home games without fans image

As professional and collegiate sports leagues make changes across North America, two NHL teams have announced modifications to their home schedules. On Wednesday, March 11, the Columbus Blue Jackets and San Jose Sharks released statements saying that upcoming home games would be played without fans.

The moves come as coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread across the world and is now considered a global pandemic.

MORE ON COVID-19: March Madness | Events in U.S. | Events in Canada

Columbus Blue Jackets

Less than a day after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recommended "no events with spectators other than the athletes, parents, and others essential to the game" for indoor events, DeWine said on March 11 that he would issue an order to that effect.

The Blue Jackets referenced DeWine's statement in their announcement.

"The health and well-being of our community is our priority and we appreciate the understanding of our fans, corporate partners and guests under these extraordinary circumstances," the team said in a press release.

Beginning with Thursday's home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, only club personnel, NHL officials, credentialed media, broadcast partners and essential arena staff will be allowed into Nationwide Arena. Fans and the public will be unable to attend games while DeWine's order is in effect.

Columbus has 12 games remaining in its 2019-20 regular-season schedule, with five games slated to be at home. Entering Wednesday night's games, the Blue Jackets were sitting in the Eastern Conference's second wild-card position and tied with the Carolina Hurricanes, who are the first wild card, in points. One of the Blue Jackets' remaining home games is against the New York Islanders, who are one point back of a postseason berth.

Columbus Blue Jackets remaining schedule

DATEHOME TEAMAWAY TEAMTIME (ET)
Thu., March 12Blue JacketsPenguins7 p.m.
Sat., March 14Blue JacketsPredators7 p.m.
Mon., March 16BruinsBlue Jackets7 p.m.
Thu., March 19Blue JacketsCapitals7 p.m.
Sat., March 21Maple LeafsBlue Jackets7 p.m.
Mon., March 23DevilsBlue Jackets7 p.m.
Tues., March 24RangersBlue Jackets7 p.m.
Fri., March 27LightningBlue Jackets7 p.m.
Sat., March 28StarsBlue Jackets8 p.m.
Mon., March 30Blue JacketsIslanders7 p.m.
Thu., April 2Blue JacketsLightning7 p.m.
Fri., April 3HurricanesBlue Jackets7 p.m.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks followed suit soon after on March 11, announcing that their next three home games would be closed to the general public. The announcement came just days after the Santa Clara (Calif.) County public health department ordered the cancellation of all mass gatherings.

Like Columbus, games played at SAP Center "will be limited to home and visiting club personnel, approved credentialed media and broadcast partners, essential club and arena staff, and NHL officials."

San Jose, which will not participate in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, is also slated to play two home games in April; as of now, those are still open to the public with the Santa Clara County order focusing on the next three weeks. The team's American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, will also play their games scheduled for March 17 against Colorado and March 22 vs. Bakersfield without fans.

San Jose Sharks remaining schedule

DATEHOME TEAMAWAY TEAMTIME (ET)
Wed., March 11BlackhawksSharks8 p.m.
Fri., March 13BluesSharks8 p.m.
Sat., March 14StarsSharks9 p.m.
Tues., March 17AvalancheSharks9 p.m.
Thu., March 19SharksCanadiens10:30 p.m.
Sat., March 21SharksBruins10:30 p.m.
Mon., March 23FlamesSharks9 p.m.
Wed., March 25CanucksSharks10 p.m.
Fri., March 27OilersSharks9 p.m.
Sun., March 29SharksCoyotes10 p.m.
Tues., March 31KingsSharks10:30 p.m.
*Thu., April 2SharksStars10:30 p.m.
*Sat., April 4SharksDucks10:30 p.m.

* Games open to the public.

Jackie Spiegel