The Quinnipiac winter sports season is off to a rocky start, even before the first game on the schedule.

Two positive COVID-19 tests among student-athletes on the men’s ice hockey team have forced the postponement of Tuesday’s season opener and the cancelation of two non-conference games next weekend.

The news was announced in a press release from Quinnipiac Athletics.

The Bobcats had been slated to open their season on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at home against the AIC Yellow Jackets. That game will be rescheduled as part of a home-and-home series on Saturday, Dec. 26.

Additionally, games scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27, against Long Island and Sunday, Nov. 29, against Clarkson have ben canceled and will not be made up.

Quinnipiac’s first game is now currently scheduled for Friday, Dec. 18, at home against Bowling Green.

The Bobcats women’s ice hockey team is dealing with its own obstacles as well. Opening weekend at Clarkson was canceled due to COVID-related issues, according to Cap Carey of the Watertown Daily Times. Those games were never officially announced by Quinnipiac but now appear as “Canceled” on Clarkson’s website.

The Quinnipiac women will instead open with Clarkson at home on Friday, Dec. 4.