No refs, no games.

Apparently, both are true for the National Hockey League for the foreseeable future.

NHL referees and linesmen were given word to head home earlier today, according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.

You can’t have games without officials. Now, word has leaked that, as expected, there will be no games.

The New York Post reports that the NHL will suspend the regular season due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

No word on potential plans,, including as to when – or if -play will resume. TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports that the league is checking into rink scheduled, leading to the possibility of pushing games farther into the summer.

The NHL’s Board of Governors are meeting this afternoon to finalize details. An official statement from the league is expected at 2pm; this story will be updated accordingly.

 

UPDATELeague has decided to “pause” the 2019-20 NHL season with goal to resume play “when appropriate and prudent.”