Hockey in TCF?

[SirCallihan]

I had heard rumors about this a while back in the Daily, StarTrib, wandering vagrants, etc. Anybody have any other info? There has been a slew of outdoor games and I think there would be no better place in the world for an outdoor hockey game than MN. I know we should probably get through at least one football game at the Bank before we start having other sports there, but it doesn't hurt to dream, right?

[GoAUpher]

I had heard rumors about this a while back in the Daily, StarTrib, wandering vagrants, etc. Anybody have any other info? There has been a slew of outdoor games and I think there would be no better place in the world for an outdoor hockey game than MN. I know we should probably get through at least one football game at the Bank before we start having other sports there, but it doesn't hurt to dream, right?

Maturi has stated publicly that they are working on this, just not for this winter.

[HatingTheSiouxGuy]

Gophers play the Badgers Friday Mar 5th this year at home, and that game got bumped to the putrid Target Center because of scheduling conflicts at Mariucci.

I know it's a 0% chance of happening this year, but that day would've been perfect for it. Big rivalry game, could've boosted attendance with a Wisconsin crowd.

[GoAUpher]

Gophers play the Badgers Friday Mar 5th this year at home, and that game got bumped to the putrid Target Center because of scheduling conflicts at Mariucci.

I know it's a 0% chance of happening this year, but that day would've been perfect for it. Big rivalry game, could've boosted attendance with a Wisconsin crowd.

Wait, what? What kind of scheduling conflict takes priority over a Border Battle hockey game at Mariucci?

[hubbabubba]

Wait, what? What kind of scheduling conflict takes priority over a Border Battle hockey game at Mariucci?

The 2010 U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. I wish I was kidding. That event will be at at Mariucci on March 3-6. There was a scheduling mix-up between the hockey staff, administration and the arena folks.

[ole1710]

NHL game won't happen unless they get some kind of liqour liscense to sell. So the U would have to work on that part before the Minnesota Wild ever played there.

[PlayHosea]

Not a big hockey guy myself, but it would be really cool for the U to play any of the "local" rivals (UND, UMD, SCSU, Mankato, Wiscy) outdoors.

[AeroGopher]

Rumor has it that the plan is to do an outdoor Hockey Day Minnesota at TCF with a High School matchup, Gopher vs. rival game, and a Wild game at night against a team that gets a lot of national press. That would be pretty cool, IMO.

Like someone said this won't happen this year.

[Schnauzer]

Rumor has it that the plan is to do an outdoor Hockey Day Minnesota at TCF with a High School matchup, Gopher vs. rival game, and a Wild game at night against a team that gets a lot of national press. That would be pretty cool, IMO.

Like someone said this won't happen this year.

This would be awesome.

[Foster]

I think they should have some type of State of MN tournament there. St. Cloud, UMD, UofM, Mankato and maybe even Bemidji St. in a weekend tourney. Maybe around Xmas if the teams are not already in another tournament somewhere else. Just a thought.

[parkinglotgopher]

I think they should have some type of State of MN tournament there. St. Cloud, UMD, UofM, Mankato and maybe even Bemidji St. in a weekend tourney. Maybe around Xmas if the teams are not already in another tournament somewhere else. Just a thought.

Not sure how long this is contractually obligated to happen, but the Gophers host the Dodge Holiday Classic right after Christmas every year at Mariucci, bringing in teams from other conferences for a four-team weekend tournament.

The one thing that I might object to is playing meaningful conference games outdoors. Sure it's cool, but I'd prefer to see games like those in the Classic mentioned above played outdoors. I understand the pull of wanting a big game, like Wisconsin or North Dakota for this, but in Minnesota, I bet you could trot out just about any team in American and draw over 40,000 to an outdoor game right in Minneapolis.

With the variables that can come in to play, I'd rather not see the Gophers put two possible points in conference play on the line for something like this.

[gopherguy05]

Not sure how long this is contractually obligated to happen, but the Gophers host the Dodge Holiday Classic right after Christmas every year at Mariucci, bringing in teams from other conferences for a four-team weekend tournament.

The one thing that I might object to is playing meaningful conference games outdoors. Sure it's cool, but I'd prefer to see games like those in the Classic mentioned above played outdoors. I understand the pull of wanting a big game, like Wisconsin or North Dakota for this, but in Minnesota, I bet you could trot out just about any team in American and draw over 40,000 to an outdoor game right in Minneapolis.

With the variables that can come in to play, I'd rather not see the Gophers put two possible points in conference play on the line for something like this.

Thats one of the reasons the Badger Bob Hockey classic fell through. Wisconsin is playing Michigan in Camp Randall and going to the Big House next winter. Origionally the Idea was for Wisconsin and Minnesota to do a home and home call it the Badger Bob Johnson/ Herb Brooks classic and play in Camp Randall this winter and TCF next winter. However the WCHA wouldn't let them play as an exibition, only as a regular season conference game, which both MN and WI objected too, so it fell through, and thus WI and Michigan are playing a non-conferece game that will count, but not in a league standingss situation...

[koreangopher]

I actually googled this about a month ago and the article that I found (too lazy to search now) said that we were considering UMD. That would be awesome in my opinion.

[BigChuckMN]

Any other sporting event TCF could handle would be cool. It could be a great place to see a concert as well. Several additional events could be planned but the lack of alcohol could be a hurdle to face for promoters.

[Gold Vision]

Gophers play the Badgers Friday Mar 5th this year at home, and that game got bumped to the putrid Target Center because of scheduling conflicts at Mariucci.

I know it's a 0% chance of happening this year, but that day would've been perfect for it. Big rivalry game, could've boosted attendance with a Wisconsin crowd.

March 5th may also be a little to warm for outdoor ice.

[ditt1605]

NHL game won't happen unless they get some kind of liqour liscense to sell. So the U would have to work on that part before the Minnesota Wild ever played there.

The U said they only won't sell alcohol at TCF for U sporting events. For everything/anything else, they would and, i'm sure, are more than willing to.

[GopherDeuce]

March 5th may also be a little to warm for outdoor ice.


Following the Winter Classic very closely, the technology is out there now where they could have an outdoor game in March in Florida. In MN, it wouldn't be a problem.

[drunkenMNgopher]

And season ticket holders of Gopher hockey, then Gopher football have priority on tix!