A Covid-19 outbreak has prompted the Metropolitan Riveters to withdraw from the National Women's Hockey League bubble season at Lake Placid, the league announced Thursday. The team representing the New York City area began play a week ago in the arena where the United States upset the Soviet Union on the way to gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Each team in the six-club circuit was set to take the ice against every rival once before qualifying games finalized the lineup for next week's semi-finals and championship game. After a 3-0 victory over Toronto and a 4-3 triumph over Connecticut, the Riveters lost 1-0 to Minnesota on Tuesday and two days later were exiting "after several members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19," according to an NWHL statement. "Our team is heartbroken to not have the chance to compete for the Isobel Cup, but we are aligned with the league in prioritizing the well-being of all of the players and staff," Riveters head coach Ivo Mocek said. The bubble season will continue with five remaining clubs continuing to follow league medical protocols. The Minnesota Whitecaps set the pace at 3-0 followed by the Toronto Six at 2-1-1, the Connecticut Whale now alone on 2-1 with the Boston Pride at 1-3 and the Buffalo Beauts at 0-2-1. The league postponed Thursday's scheduled games. Teams will return to the rink on Saturday. "The priority of the NWHL is the health of our players, coaches, officials, and staff," the league said. "The Riveters and health officials have collaborated to bring every member of the team home in a way that ensures the safety of all parties." Last year's championship game between Minnesota and Boston was canceled due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. js/rcw