WHL postpones two upcoming Royals games due to positive COVID cases

The WHL announced the cancellation of two matchups between the Victoria Royals and the Prince George Cougars scheduled for Jan. 7 and 8 due to multiple players and staff testing positive for COVID-19. The league plans to reschedule games for a later date.

Two weekend games between the Saskatoon Blades and the Regina Pats were also cancelled in the announcement made by the league Wednesday afternoon.

The league has faced a number of postponements due to COVID this season, and recently paused operations for five teams–-Swift Current, Lethbridge, Moose Jaw, Red Deer and Edmonton–-due to a number of positive tests from staff and players within those organizations.

Postponements and cancellations have become a regular thing for hockey leagues across North America this month, as teams from the NHL down to minor hockey battle with the latest wave of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

The Royals are expected to return to play on Jan. 11 when they will face the Spokane Chiefs for two games at home.