AHL suspends 2019-20 season amid COVID-19 outbreak

The American Hockey League announced Thursday that it is temporarily suspending play amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The suspension was all but guaranteed after the NHL announced it would be suspending play earlier Thursday.

The Grand Rapids Griffins were scheduled to host the Bakersfield Condors on Friday and Saturday night. Grand Rapids has 13 games remaining on its schedule, including seven home games.

The Griffins currently sit in third place in the Central Division standings with 65 points, two points ahead of the Chicago Wolves, who have two games in hand on the Griffins.

This suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Griffins, as they have won three of their past four games as they make a push for the playoffs. Of course, the safety of staff, players and fans are more important, and the AHL made the right decision in following the NHL and putting the season on hold for now.