Penn State hockey to face college hockey powerhouse North Dakota

Penn State’s hockey program will get a good opportunity to go up against one of the best programs in the country in non-conference play this season

It’s easy to get caught up in the countdown to kickoff, but we are two months away until the college hockey season returns to State College as well. And there is a certain feel about the Penn State men’s hockey team after a trip to the Big Ten semifinals a year after having a Big Ten championship shot on home ice wiped out due to COVID.

As the season begins to approach, Penn State has confirmed its non-conference schedule, and it includes a very notable opponent. The Nittany Lions will take on a college hockey powerhouse in North Dakota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game in Nashville, Tennessee. The game is scheduled for Saturday, October 30.

North Dakota is a eight-time national champion, including their most recent title in 2016. The Fighting Hawks are coming off a season in which they went 16-4-2 and a second-striaght first-place finish in the NCHC. North Dakota was eliminated in the NCAA tournament by Minnesota-Duluth in the regional final in an epic five-overtime marathon. For as much as Penn State has quickly grown as a hockey program, getting a chance to go face-to-face with one of the sport’s top-tier programs is a great opportunity.

The home schedule in non-conferenc replay will include games against Canisius, Long Island, Maine, and Niagara. Penn State will play a road game at St. Thomas as well.

Penn State will take on Canisius, Long Island, Maine, and Niagara at Pegula Ice Arena, they will travel to St. Thomas.

 

The rest of the regular season schedule will be released at a later date once the Big Ten confirms its schedule.

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