Is It Time For College Hockey Yet?

Yes, you read that correctly. I know, I know College Football hasn’t even started yet but we’re already only eight months away from the National Championship. Which is being played where? That’s right, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. So, with the Frozen Four being played in the State of Hockey this year, we’re going to try to keep you more up to date around the entire NCAA.

Lets look at past years Minnesota has hosted the Frozen Four. The last two times Xcel hosted the big game, teams from Minnesota won. In 2011 Minnesota Duluth defeated Michigan in a thrilling overtime game. And who could forget Grant Potulny scoring the game winner in overtime against Maine in 2002 (I was there not a big deal, but kind of a big deal). Along with both of those games, Minnesota has hosted the championship game a number of other times in St. Paul and Duluth.

Another reason to keep you up to date around the entire NCAA is the amount of players who grew up playing hockey in MN that are scattered around the nation at various schools. These are players that have been drafted by the Wild, other NHL teams or are un-drafted, trying to make a name for themselves. Not to mention there are hockey fans from all over that support each of the FIVE division 1 teams in Minnesota. If you’re a fan of hockey in the state of Minnesota, there’s a good chance you are a fan of the Gophers, UMD, St. Cloud State, Mankato, or Bemidji State. Or maybe you’re a fan of a different college team. Either way, I’m already looking forward to the college season and I’m sure you are too. I’m looking forward to the season and talking some college hockey on here.

The Minnesota Gophers and UMD Bulldogs will face off in each teams’ season opener on Friday October 6. They will play at Amsoil Arena in Duluth in the Ice Breaker Tournament. The winner of that game will face the winner of Union vs. Michigan Tech.

Some of the other Minnesota teams’ first games:

Minnesota State Mavericks will start their season against another Minnesota team and former WCHA rival St. Cloud State Huskies on Saturday October 7th at the Verizon Center in Mankato, MN.

Bemidji State doesn’t open up their season until the following weekend where they will play a home and home series against the UMD Bulldogs. Friday night’s game will be in Bemidji and Saturday’s game in Duluth.

Also since I know some of you are North Dakota Fighting Sioux Hawks fans, they will open up their season in Anchorage, Alaska playing against the UAA Seawolves October 6 & 7.

There will be a more in-depth preview for the NCAA Hockey season in the coming weeks, but this should hold you over for the time being.

Also, if you haven’t already (and chances are you definitely haven’t since I have, like, 6 followers), but go follow me on Twitter @651Hockey . I’ll be tweeting about Wild and all things hockey.