Gophers release hockey schedule

The Gophers have released their 2011-12 hockey schedule.

The season starts with an exhibition game against visiting British Columbia Oct. 2. The regular season starts with a non-conference home series against Sacred Heart Oct. 7-8.

The Gophers have a home non-conference series against Vermont later in October, and a road non-conference series at Michigan State on Thanksgiving weekend.

Niagara, Northeastern and Princeton are in the Mariucci Classic in late December, and the Gophers play host to Notre Dame in the Hall of Fame game Jan. 7 at a yet-to-be-determined site.

The first WCHA series is Oct. 14-15 at national champion Minnesota Duluth.

The Gophers play North Dakota, Wisconsin and St. Cloud State four times, and all other WCHA teams twice.

The schedule:

Oct. 7-8 Sacred Heart

Oct. 14-15 at Minnesota Duluth*

Oct. 21-22 (or 23) Vermont

Oct. 28-29 at Alaska Anchorage*

Nov. 4-5 North Dakota*

Nov. 18-19 at St. Cloud State*

Nov. 25-26 at Michigan State

Dec. 2-3 Minnesota State*

Dec. 9-10 Michigan Tech*

Dec. 30-31 Mariucci Classic: Participating teams Minnesota, Niagara, Northeastern, Princeton
Jan. 7 Notre Dame (Hall of Fame Game)#

Jan. 20-21 Colorado College*

Jan. 27-28 St. Cloud State*

Feb. 10-11 at Denver*

Feb. 17-18 Bemidji State*

Feb. 24-25 at Nebraska-Omaha*

March 9-11 WCHA First Round playoffs

March 15-17 WCHA Final Five, St. Paul

*WCHA opponent