A pair of upcoming Merritt Centennials games against the Vernon Vipers have been postponed, due to Vipers players entering COVID-19 protocol.

The Cents were scheduled to visit Vernon on Jan. 7 at Kal Tire Place, before hosting them at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena on Jan. 12.

The Jan. 8 game against the West Kelowna Warriors on the road is still scheduled to take place, as is any subsequent Cents game.

There are now eight BCHL teams that have had to pause their schedule due to entering COVID-19 protocol since Monday; joining the Vipers are the Wenatchee Wild, Powell River Kings, Langley Rivermen, Cowichan Valley Capitals, Trail Smoke Eaters, Penticton Vees and Victoria Grizzlies.