Outdoor college hockey is coming to the University of Minnesota

The Gophers announced this afternoon a news conference at TCF Bank Stadium set for 2 p.m. Tuesday. Sources said the announcement will confirm what has been speculated upon in recent months and intensified in recent weeks: an outdoor men's hockey game at TCF Bank Stadium this winter.

Sources would not confirm the exact date, but it will be one game on Jan. 17-19, Friday, Saturday or Sunday vs. Ohio State. The Gophers are beginning play this season in the newly formed Big Ten hockey conference.

Hockey Day Minnesota, a day of wall-to-wall hockey coverage on Fox Sports North, is slated for Jan. 18, but scheduling and broadcast challenges could prevent the outdoor Gophers game from being part of that day. Minnesota begins play this season in the newly formed Big Ten hockey conference and the outdoor game could be shown on the Big Ten Network.