Fans will not be allowed to attend the state Frozen Four ice hockey championships at the LECOM-Harbor Center in Buffalo on March 14 and 15.
The decision by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association came at the request of the Erie County Department of Health to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which the World Health Organization categorized as a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11.
Bethlehem will take on Massena, of Section 10, in a 9:30 a.m. semifinal game while Section 6 Williamsville North will take on Victor, of Section 5, immediately following.
“It continues to be the goal of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association to host the winter championships with direction from the New York State Department of Health, local county health departments and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office,” NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas said in a statement. “At this time, we are moving forward with the championships, however the impact of the coronavirus could necessitate revisions to the championship schedule.”
The NYSPHSAA Ice Hockey Championships will be streamed live on the NFHS Network as originally scheduled.
Pre-purchased tickets for the ice hockey championship will be fully refunded.
As of Wednesday evening there have been no major changes to the state championship basketball schedules, which will be played at locations across the state including Hudson Valley Community College and the Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls.
