There’s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic has shown: nothing is guaranteed.

Michigan Tech’s 100th hockey season (and all other schools’) was upended by the pandemic. After the Huskies lost and tied at Lake Superior State on Nov. 21-22, virus disruptions have continued.

Tech’s series on Nov. 27-28 against Northern Michigan was canceled by positive results in the Wildcats’ program.

The silver lining, perhaps, was it gave Tech (0-1-1) an extra week to gear up for No. 6 Minnesota State (1-0). It’s a matchup that has been a long time coming, despite it being a new season. Tech was on its way to play Minnesota State in last year’s WCHA playoffs in March just as the pandemic brought daily life to a standstill.

The Mavericks won its season opener 5-0 against Bemidji State before the virus forced the postponement of the second game. Minnesota State’s series Nov. 27-28 against Bemidji State was rescheduled for Dec. 18-19 because of positive COVID-19 test results in the Mavericks’ program.

The Mavericks announced Friday its Dec. 11-12 series against Northern Michigan was canceled because of positive test results in the Wildcats’ program.

The Huskies battled in a defensive stalemate againt the Lakers in the season opening weekend. Mark Sinclair, a senior transfer from Alabama Huntsville, stopped all 21 shots opening night. He followed up with 21 saves on 24 shots the next night in the Huskies’ 4-1 loss.

Tech’s offense never found a tipping point to grab hold of momentum for good. Tech peppered the Lakers’ goal with 28 shots in the scoreless tie.

The Huskes’ first goal of the season came the following night to tie the game in the second period from junior defenseman Eric Gotz. It was the only blemish for LSSU goalie Mareks Mitens, who made 13 saves.

This weekend won’t be any easier, as the Huskies face last season’s WCHA Goatender of the Year. Dryden McKay finished the season with a 30-4-2 record, a 1.31 goals-against average and a nation-best .942 save percentage.

McKay stopped all 21 shots against Bemidji State in the Mavericks’ 5-0 win.

Tech managed one goal against McKay in 49 shots when the Mavericks swept the Huskies with 3-0 and 2-1 wins last season.