ALL season in jeopardy as COVID-19 still playing havoc
Arena Lacrosse League President Paul St. John announced today that the 2020 ALL season is getting to the point where it may have to be cancelled all together. "We have the luxury to try and wait this virus out, but we've hit September and the Canadian Government have not had the confidence to allow indoor contact sports therefore keeping us on the sideline looking in. We understand and agree with their reasoning as the health of every individual is priority. We will further delay our remaining schedule with the hope to get it finished by mid November, but eventually we will have to shut it down completely and move forward towards the 2021 year, if we continue to see no change."
The Arena Lacrosse League shut down on March 14 with two weeks remaining in the 2020 regular season with the Whitby Steelhawks holding down first place with a 9-2 record ahead of the Paris RiverWolves (8-4). John St. John of the Oshawa Outlaws was holding down a four-point lead over Bryan Neufeld (St. Catharines Shockwave) in his quest to win back-to-back scoring titles. On the defensive side, the Steelhawks are the only ALL team with a goals against average of under 10 per game at 9.18. Goaltender Laine Hruska 7.57 GGA was leading the ALL with fellow Steelhawks teammate Lukas Coote in third at 9.96.
"We are looking at options to possible play over two consecutive weekends so we can crown a 2020 Champion," continued St. John. "But in the end, the health and safely of everyone involved with our league is what's most important and we will follow every protocol to try and ensure that. Once we have further updates we will inform our players, game officials and fans to let them know the final status of the 2020 season, but hopefully we can get it in."
About the Arena Lacrosse League: Proud partners of the National Lacrosse League. the 'ALL' is a seven team league that provides development for players with pro ambitions. Currently in its fourth season the ALL has provided over 75 players to the NLL, many gaining full time pro positions.