University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Announce Non-Conference Slate
6/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
Link: 2015-16 Gopher Hockey Schedule
MINNEAPOLIS (GopherSports.com) - Gopher Hockey announced the team's 15-game nonconference schedule for the 2015-16 schedule on Tuesday as Minnesota prepares for its third season competing in the Big Ten and 95th overall campaign.
In addition to the previously announced 20-game Big Ten schedule, the Gophers will continue to maintain in-state rivalries with eight non-conference games against other Minnesota programs including the third annual North Star College Cup.
The Maroon & Gold kick off the regular season at Mariucci Arena on Oct. 10 as the Gophers host Vermont in the Hall of Fame game, marking Minnesota's 20th overall appearance in the contest. The Gophers take on Minnesota-Duluth in a home-and-home series in Minneapolis on Oct. 16 and in Duluth on Oct. 17 before hosting Northeastern, Oct. 23-24.
Following a bye week, the Gophers kick off November with at two-game series at Notre Dame to play head coach Don Lucia's alma mater, Nov. 6-7, before an in-state home-and-home series with Minnesota State the following weekend - Minnesota visit the Mavericks on Nov. 13 before traveling hosting Minnesota State on Nov. 14. The Gophers close out the month with a Friday-Sunday series against St. Cloud State, Nov. 27 & 29, at home.
The 25th annual Mariucci Classic is set for Jan. 1-2 with the Gophers hosting UConn for the first-ever meeting between the two programs to open the holiday tournament on Jan. 1. Minnesota will then face either Harvard or Ferris State the following night on Jan. 2.
The 2014-15 nonconference schedule closes with the third annual North Star College Cup at Xcel Energy Center, Jan. 29-30. The Gophers will open the in-state event against defending tournament champion Bemidji State on Jan. 29 before facing either Minnesota State or St. Cloud State on Jan. 30.
Times and television information for the 2015-16 Gopher Hockey season will be announced at a later date. A complete and up-to-date schedule is available on GopherSports.com.
The 2015-16 Gopher Hockey season marks the 95th campaign in program history. Minnesota enters the season having won four-straight regular-season conference championships for the first time in modern history while the team swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles last year - just the fourth time in program history the Gophers have won both titles in one year.
