Sharks to play without fans for rest of March due to coronavirus outbreak

The San Jose Sharks will play in an empty SAP Center for the rest of the month amid concerns over the coronavirus, the team announced Wednesday.

On Monday, Santa Clara County implemented a three-week ban on all large gatherings that began Wednesday.

The Sharks have three home games during this stretch: March 19 vs. the Canadiens, March 21 vs. the Bruins, and March 29 vs. the Coyotes. They also have a pair of home games on April 2 and April 4 to close out the season.

San Jose officially becomes the second NHL team to close its doors to fans after the Columbus Blue Jackets announced Wednesday they'll follow Ohio's ban on mass gatherings.

Elsewhere around the sports world, the NCAA announced Wednesday that the men's and women's basketball tournaments will be played without fans.