![Gophers forward Tyler Sheehy (22) was taken out of a play by Mavericks forward Max Coatta (12) in the third period Sunday afternoon. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff.wheeler@startribune.com The Minnesota State University Mankato beat the University of Minnesota 3-2 in the consolation game of the North Star College Cup tournament Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2016 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/QZBHNHGLA6P4JLJDW2HH5KFRQ4.jpg?&w=1080)
The Gophers men's hockey team announced Wednesday that the Mariucci Classic will return next season, this time with four Minnesota teams.
Bemidji State, Minnesota State Mankato and St. Cloud State will join the Gophers in the two-day event, scheduled for Dec. 28-29, 2019, at 3M Arena at Mariucci. The matchups will be announced at a later date.
These four schools, along with Minnesota Duluth — all once WCHA members — joined together from 2014-2017 for an annual four-team tournament called the North Star College Cup.
But that event, played at Xcel Energy Center each January, did not return this season, with organizers citing low attendance.
Next year's event will be the 27th Mariucci Classic, but the first since December 2016 when the Gophers defeated Mercyhurst and Massachusetts to win their 14th title in the tournament. It is named after former Gopher and Hall of Fame member John Mariucci.
St. Cloud State and Minnesota State Mankato never have taken part in the Mariucci Classic. Bemidji State won it during the 2010-11 season in their second appearance.
This weekend, the Gophers, 3-1-3 in their past seven games, host Ferris State at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in a nonconference series.
Staff Reports
![Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Justin Kloos (25) celebrates after putting the Gophers up 2-1 in the 2016 North Star College Cup tournament semi finals on January 30, 2016 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. ] Special to Star Tribune MATT BLEWETT • matt@mattebphoto.com - January 30, 2016, St. Paul, Minnesota, University of Minnesota Gophers, Bemidji State Beavers, 2016 North Star College Cup, 213971 UPUK 013116 ORG XMIT: MIN1601301907232836](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SLRTUIT7QMGX3SJCJFEVPMXLLI.jpg?&w=1080)
