1 game into season and MSU Mankato is halted by COVID-19

One of the nation's top men's college hockey teams has abruptly been forced to postpone its game scheduled for Monday afternoon due to at least one positive COVID-19 test. 

Minnesota State-Mankato, ranked fourth in the nation, announced Monday morning that its non-conference game against Bemidji State won't happen. The Mavericks defeated Bemidji State 5-0 in the season opener on Sunday in Bemidji, so the results from the tests weren't available when that game was played.

“Minnesota State Maverick Athletic Department officials have announced that COVID-19 testing of its men's hockey personnel has resulted in positive results that will not allow the series with Bemidji State University to be completed this afternoon," a statement from MSU Mankato said. 

"A complement of tests guided by NCAA Sports Science Institute, Minnesota Department of Health, and Western Collegiate Hockey Association Return to Competition protocols that were administered prior to Sunday's contest between the two teams had produced no positive results prior to game time."

Future games for MSU Mankato are up in the air as the team awaits results from contact tracing. The Mavericks are scheduled to host Bemidji State this coming Friday and Saturday, and then are off a week before returning to the ice Dec. 4-5 at Michigan Tech.