It appears COVID-19 is back within the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team.

After the Wildcats were finally able to play their first games of the season last weekend vs. Maine, Hockey East announced Thursday night that the games scheduled between UNH and Merrimack for Saturday and Sunday will not be played.

According to a UNH spokesperson, there were "a few" positive tests within the UNH program that forced the postponement, making this the second coronavirus-related shutdown for the Wildcats already this season.

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At the beginning of the season, UNH was forced to postpone its first two series against Boston College and UMass due to multiple Wildcats players testing positive for COVID-19.

Now, the Wildcats are back in COVID-19 protocol, per the spokesperson. This means they are unable to practice as players quarantine while the program conducts contact tracing.

UNH earned three of a possible four points in last weekend's series win against Maine, rallying after a 1-1 tie and subsequent shootout loss to a decisive 6-2 win over the Black Bears on the following night. Junior forward Angus Crookshank scored twice in the win.

The Wildcats did not earn a top-20 ranking in Monday's USCHO poll, but the program did receive votes for the first time this season.

KEEP READING: See how sports around the world have been impacted by the coronavirus

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