London Nationals resume team activities – London | The Canadian News

The number of games postponed for the London Nationals will end at three.

Two positive COVID-19 tests last week forced the Nats to press the pause button in what has been a very successful regular season thus far, but the latest round of testing came back 100% negative and that allowed the players from London back to practice. on Monday afternoon.

“It was scary,” admitted Nationals owner Paul Duarte. “But they all intervened with the health unit and the league and our internal staff. The process was very, very easy. We took the appropriate measures and this did not spread. “

The Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League had 12 positive COViD-19 cases and their team’s activities were suspended on November 30. The Wolves had five games postponed and will resume team activities on December 16.

Looking at how the Nationals were able to handle their own situation, Duarte credits what he saw from his players.

“The boys bought,” Duarte said. “They were worried about their friends but they all complied. Nobody came out. Nobody went to parties. They wanted this to go away quickly. “

The team was allowed to return to training Monday afternoon minus one player and one coach who were still isolated.

“We have our last two positive results that will end their quarantine tomorrow and will return tomorrow,” Duarte said.

London will play the Chatham Maroons on Wednesday night at 7pm at the Western Fair Sports Center.

The Nationals currently rank first in the GOJHL Western Conference and will go to St. Thomas to play the Stars on Friday, December 17, for their final game before the holidays.

Given his start, Duarte is excited to see what his team can do for the rest of the season.

“This is a very close-knit group and they missed each other and it’s exciting that these guys are so close in that room. When you have a tight-knit room, I think good things are going to happen in the future. “

Games against Komoka, LaSalle and St. Marys that were postponed while London went through its COVID-19 protocol will be made up at a later date.