Outdoor college hockey is coming to the University of Minnesota.
The school's athletic department on Friday announced a news conference at TCF Bank Stadium set for 2 p.m. Tuesday but provided no other details. Sources said the announcement will confirm news that has been speculated upon for months and intensified in recent weeks: An outdoor Gophers men's hockey game will be played at TCF Bank Stadium this season.
Sources could not confirm the exact date of the game, but it will be against Ohio State on the weekend of Jan. 17-19 — Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 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.
The Gophers played Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago last season in their first outdoor game in the modern era. Several school officials, including President Eric Kaler and athletic director Norwood Teague, attended the event in Chicago and spoke of hoping to bring a similar game here.
More details and logistics of the game at TCF Bank Stadium will be revealed at Tuesday's news conference.
MICHAEL RAND
