With the National Hockey League lockout, there has not been much need for ice at the Fleet Center this winter. But hockey will return to the Fleet Center on Sat., Feb. 12, when the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey team will travel to Boston to play Holy Cross in an Atlantic Hockey doubleheader.

The Bobcats will battle the Crusaders at 5 p.m. in the first game, while Bentley and Connecticut will play at 8 p.m.

The game will mark the second time in three seasons that Quinnipiac has played in an NHL building.

On March 1, 2003, the Bobcats brought college hockey back to Madison Square Garden for the first time in 25 years, defeating Connecticut, 4-3.

“The entire Quinnipiac community is thrilled to be invited to watch our Bobcats play in Boston’s Fleet Center,” said Quinnipiac Director of Athletics and Recreation Jack McDonald. “Over the past three years the student-athletes on our team will have had lifelong memories of playing at both the Fleet Center in Boston and Madison Square Garden in New York City.”

The idea for Atlantic Hockey to play some games at the Fleet Center cropped up in early December. The plan quickly gained supported from the four schools involved and the final details were ironed out in early January.

The Fleet Center, home to the Bruins and NBA’s Celtics, played host to the 1998 and 2004 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four.

The arena also hosts the annual Beanpot Tournament, which features Boston’s four Division I hockey programs – Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern.