The Replay: Highlights from what went down in Raleigh, Durham sports last week

From an off-ice NHL scheduling kerfuffle, to an on-ice goaltending debut, the Hurricanes were busy during a week when they weren’t really busy at all.

We know, that doesn’t make much sense. But it does.

The week started innocently enough. Last weekend, Carolina took three of four points on a back-to-back set of games at home, and prepared to head to Philadelphia for a Tuesday contest.

But the Flyers put a handful of players in COVID protocols, and the NHL announced it was postponing the game — after the Canes already flew to Philly.

This, of course, comes a month after the Canes were forced to play with 16 skaters, nearly half of which were minor-leaguers. Adding to the apparent slight: The Flyers practiced Tuesday instead of playing, and then played at Boston, on the road, Thursday.

The ramifications for the Hurricanes, meanwhile, are longer term: Already scheduled to play 33 games in 64 days to close out the season, the team now has seven postponed games to reschedule. Some of those might end up in what was going to be a league-wide break for the Olympics, but only if the buildings are available to make that work.

Oh, did we mention a new goalie came to town this week? Faced with injuries and protocol considerations across the franchise, the Canes this week signed former University of Minnesota starter Jack LaFontaine to the squad. They first relegated him to the taxi squad, and then elevated him to the active roster Thursday, sending Alex Lyon back to Chicago of the AHL. LaFontaine made his team debut as the backup Thursday night while Frederik Andersen started in net against the Blue Jackets.

Coach K misses a game

Big news from Durham this week when head-coach-in-waiting Jon Scheyer had to step in and be the head coach while Duke coach Mike Krzysewski sat out with a non-COVID illness.

This was the second time in two seasons Scheyer served as head coach due to Krzyzewski’s absence. On Jan. 6, 2021, while Krzyzewski was quarantining at home after his daughter and granddaughter tested positive for COVID-19, Scheyer coached the Blue Devils to an 83-82 win over Boston College at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke won again Wednesday, this time on the road against a tough Wake Forest group, earning a 76-64 ACC win.

A 6-7 freshman, AJ Griffin scored 22 points in his first career start, fellow freshman Paolo Banchero led the team with 24 and a third freshman, Trevor Keels, scored 11.

NCCU football players earn accolades

Twenty North Carolina Central University Eagles have earned postseason recognition as members of the 2021 Phil Steele FCS All-MEAC Teams.

Sophomore Brandon Codrington’s name appears on Phil Steele’s all-conference list in four different positions: punt returner, kickoff returner, all-purpose player and defensive back.

Joining Codrington as First Team honorees are linebacker Noah Rainbow-Douglas and placekicker Adrian Olivo.

Named to the Second Team are wide receiver Ryan McDaniel, offensive lineman Corey Bullock, offensive lineman Bruce Trigg, linebacker Cole Williams and long snapper Alex Harper.

Selected to the Third Team are running back Latrell Collier, tight end Isiah Macklin, offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins III, defensive lineman Jessie Malit, defensive lineman Jaden Taylor, defensive back Manny Smith and Codrington for kickoff return and all-purpose.

Fourth Team picks went to quarterback Davius Richard, wide receiver Devin Smith, offensive lineman Kideam Diouf, defensive lineman Chuck Manning, linebacker Matt Stevens, defensive back JaJuan Hudson and Codrington as a defensive back.

Taylor was also named to the Phil Steele FCS Freshman All-America Team as a third team honoree, as well as the HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-American Team, while Codrington was selected to the BOXTOROW HBCU All-America Team as a punt returner.