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Ducks-Capitals game Friday is postponed because of snowstorm

A pile of shoveled snow stands in the plaza on the east side of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.

A pile of shoveled snow stands in the plaza on the east side of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday.

(Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
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The NHL postponed the Ducks’ game against the Washington Capitals on Friday because of a severe snowstorm on the East Coast.

A makeup date will be announced as soon as it can be confirmed, the league said in a statement.

The Ducks, who arrived in Washington on Thursday, flew out on their charter plane shortly after the postponement was announced Friday and arrived safely in Detroit, a team spokesman said. They play the Red Wings on Saturday.

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It is the first postponement in franchise history.

Friday’s game time was initially moved up two hours to 2 p.m. PST in an attempt to allow Anaheim to depart the stricken area earlier. The NHL announced the postponement, however, as an epic storm moved in that was expected to bring more than two feet of snow and 30- to 50-mph winds.

A makeup date will be difficult because the Ducks do not have extra days off on their two remaining East Coast trips, in February and March. Washington’s arena, Verizon Center, will be used Monday for the Washington Wizards-Boston Celtics game. The Ducks could play a day game beforehand, but the NHL might have to make a decision Saturday regarding the Capitals’ home game against Pittsburgh, scheduled for Sunday.

The NHL Players’ Assn. does not allow teams to play on three consecutive days.

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A decision regarding Washington’s game against Pittsburgh on Sunday will be announced Saturday morning, the league said.

Two NBA games were postponed this weekend as were plenty of college basketball games and NASCAR’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The NBA said Boston’s game at Philadelphia scheduled for Saturday night will be made up on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST. The Utah Jazz’s game at Washington, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, will be reset at a later date.

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The men’s basketball game between No. 16 Providence and No. 4 Villanova slated for Saturday at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia was postponed until Sunday at 1 p.m. The Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball game at La Salle also was rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday.

DUCKS NEXT UP

AT DETROIT

When: Saturday, 4 p.m. PST.

On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 830

Update: Both teams have interesting turnarounds with the Ducks’ departure from the storm and Detroit playing Friday in Buffalo. Joe Louis Arena used to be Anaheim’s kryptonite — the Ducks are 6-25-8 there in the regular season, but they have won three straight there. Left wing Ryan Garbutt is expected to make his Ducks debut. Defenseman Simon Despres remains on a conditioning assignment and isn’t expected to join the team until next week, Ducks General Manager Bob Murray said. Detroit beat the Ducks, 2-1, on Jan.10 on Riley Sheahan’s third-period goal.

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