Latest update on Team USA and threat of forfeiting tonight’s game

On Tuesday, defending champion United States forfeited that night’s game against Switzerland at the World Junior men’s hockey championship because two players tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The team was placed in a mandated quarantine. The players were expected to be evaluated this morning to determine whether Team USA can compete in its next preliminary round game against Sweden on Wednesday night.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie has now revealed that there is a sense of good news for the American team as outside of two players who initially tested positive on Tuesday, he is hearing no other players have tested positive from yesterday’s overnight results.

“If that is indeed the case, then there’s still a chance Team USA could play Sweden tonight. That would hinge on a test that was taken this morning. If any player gets a second negative test in 24 hours, he’s cleared to play. A positive test would exclude that player and his roommate from playing.

“Also hearing the original two players who tested positive two nights ago, tested positive again, which means one goaltender and one forward are now in Covid protocol and effectively out of the tournament.

“Today’s Team USA tests were conducted very early this morning and are being expedited. Results should be available this afternoon, no later than 4 MT. So the players will prepare (in hotel room quarantine) to play SWE and be released from Q as soon as they get a negative test result.”

Later on, McKenzie added this update as there are unconfirmed  rumours of another positive test on a team scheduled to play today and perhaps another forfeit. On top of that, McKenzie says that the two roommates of the two American players who tested positive, according to the protocols, apparently require an extra day of testing before they can return to play. So even if these two test negative this afternoon, they would not be able to play tonight. Except, the roomie of the USA goalie who tested positive is also a goalie. The other roomie of the forward who tested positive is also a F. It’s my understanding that if the G tests negative this afternoon, he will get an exemption to dress in tonight’s game but if the F is negative, he wouldn’t play.