The expanded Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge will feature the Gophers four times throughout the 20-game fall schedule the conferences announced on Thursday.

Notre Dame comes to Mariucci Arena Nov. 7 and 9 and the Gophers travel to Boston College on Nov. 28 and Northeastern on Nov. 29.

Five of the six Big Ten hockey programs and nine of 12 from Hockey East will compete in the second year of the challenge.

"As we move into the second year of the Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge, the event continues to offer student-athletes a great opportunity to play in high-level games against top competition," said Big Ten Associate Commissioner Jennifer Heppel in a statement. "The event reinforces our excellent relationship with Hockey East and helps promote the game of college hockey across the nation."

A cup will be presented to the conference with the most points after the 20 games. Teams earn two points for a win, one point for a tie, and a bonus point for a road win. Shootouts will not factor into results.

Hockey East won the inaugural challenge 18-11 and a 7-4-2 record against the Big Ten.

Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge Schedule
(All times 6 p.m. unless noted)

Friday, Oct. 10
Providence at Ohio State
UConn at Penn State
Saturday, Oct. 11
Providence at Ohio State
UConn at Penn State (2 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 17
UNH at Michigan (6:30 p.m.)
UMass at Michigan State
Saturday, Oct. 18
UNH at Michigan (6:30 p.m.)
UMass at Michigan State
Friday, Oct. 24
Michigan at UMass Lowell (NESN)
Michigan State at Boston University (6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 25
Michigan at Boston University
Michigan State at UMass Lowell
Friday, Nov. 7
Michigan State at UNH (6:30 p.m.)
Notre Dame at Minnesota (BTN, 7 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 8
Michigan State at UNH (WBIN)
Sunday, Nov. 9
Notre Dame at Minnesota (ESPNU, 4 p.m.)
Friday, Nov. 14
Penn State at UMass Lowell (6:15 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 15
Penn State at UMass Lowell
Friday, Nov. 28
Minnesota at Boston College (5 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 29
Minnesota at Northeastern

The Gophers men's hockey team will make its debut in Saturday's home exhibition against Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. They open the regular season next weekend at the Ice Breaker Tournament in South Bend, Ind. Here is video from Wednesday's media access. The season preview and more vido will run on Tuesday.

Gophers senior assistant captain Seth Ambroz:

Gophers senior assistant captain Ben Marshall: