CenterIceView 2023-24 SCSU Men’s Hockey Road Trip Ranking

Husky fans celebrate the 2023 NCHC Frozen Faceoff Championship (Photo Prout)

St.Cloud, MN – We’re back with our annual CenterIceView road trip ranking for the 2023-24 season. It’s a similar road trip schedule to the 2022-23 season. However, it is devoid of BIG 10 hockey opponents and unusual in that the team does not travel to Grand Forks, ND to face rival University of North Dakota. But, the schedule allows ample opportunity to see the Huskies on the road at perennially high-ranked road trips to Duluth, Colorado Springs, Omaha, Mankato, Western Michigan, Bemidji, and Denver.

This year’s schedule caters to every fan’s budget including weekend flying trips, driving trips, and single-game trips to venues within easy driving distance. It also includes two of our favorite road trips to Colorado Springs, CO, and Duluth, MN. Our only advice is to plan early as travel costs have increased since the pandemic making it that much more important to lock in airfare and lodging as early as possible. With that said, let’s take a look at our ranking for the upcoming season:

#1 University of Minnesota-Duluth (Duluth, MN) | March 8-9, 2024

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The port city again rises to the top of the list this season. Other than a visit in October or November I’ll take my chances on a March trip to Duluth despite the chance of a snowy weekend. The reasons are obvious – ease of travel, overall impact on the pocketbook, and the option to attend just one of the weekend’s contests if desired.  This is a beautiful city two and a half hours from St. Cloud with ample lodging and numerous restaurant options. With some pre-planning, hotel rates can be reasonable and the availability of a refurbished skywalk allows you to walk to the game from several downtown hotels with a light pullover.

If you’re into craft beer there are no less than ten on the Duluth Craft Beer Trail to visit. If you are a skier, you can take in an afternoon of skiing at Spirit Mountain. If you’re into shopping, Canal Park has numerous unique shops and restaurants to kill several hours before game time. An excursion along the north shore of Lake Superior is a beautiful experience in the fall or during the winter months. The University of Minnesota-Duluth campus is in a beautiful setting and worth the visit. You simply can’t go wrong with a trip to Duluth.

As for the hockey, the SCSU / UMD rivalry almost always has you on the edge of your seat. Amsoil Arena is one of the top hockey venues in college hockey with good sightlines and good concessions. As a result, I consistently rank Duluth high on my list. This year’s schedule has the Huskies traveling to Duluth on March 8/9. The weather is unpredictable but never fear, the skyway system can get you there without a coat if you are staying downtown.

Tickets: University of Minnesota-Duluth

Favorite places to dine: Mine are at opposite ends of the dining spectrum. The Cantonese House at 24 W 1st Street has been in business since 1972 serving Americanized Asian cuisine. Let’s just say it’s a little rustic but the owners are very accommodating and the family servings are sizable and reasonably priced. It also gets a four-star ranking from Trip Advisor. This is a post-game dining location as there’s nothing better than food like this after an evening of beverages.

For pre-game dining, Bellisio’s at 405 Lake Avenue South in Canal Park is pricey but outstanding. It’s primarily Italian fare and they have the best wine list in Duluth. The service is excellent, the quality of the food is good and it’s a short walk post-meal to the Amsoil Center.  Other suggestions are Va Bene Caffe, Tavern on the Hill, Valentini’s, At Sarah’sTable, Pickwick, Northern Waters Smokehaus, Fitgers Brewhouse, Blackwater Lounge, Grandma’s, Blacklist Brewery, Ursa Minor Brewery and OMC Smokehouse which is only one block from Bent Paddle Brewing.

A short drive over the Blatnik Bridge into Superior, WI gets you to the Anchor Bar and Grill. The nautical design is unique and they claim to have the best burgers in the Twin Ports. If you feel like making the 26 mi. trip to Two Harbors Castle Danger Brewery is a fun north shore experience.

Weekend Guide to Duluth

Duluth area restaurants featured on HGTV’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Worth Noting: These teams faced each other 13 times over the past two seasons. It’s one of college hockey’s top rivalries and a can’t miss weekend of hockey.

#2 Colorado College (Colorado Springs, CO) February 2/3, 2024

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The only meeting between these two squads is on the road for SCSU fans this season.  A road trip to Colorado Springs is always a consistent favorite. For those of us in Minnesota, traveling to a location with 247 days of at least partial sunshine is just what the doctor ordered. That’s just one of the reasons why hockey trips to Colorado Springs are always at the top of my list.

With a flight time of fewer than two hours to Denver or Colorado Springs, one can hardly get settled in before you are at your destination. And, with flights to Denver typically one of the best bargains around it doesn’t bleed the pocket-book to get there. After that, It’s a car rental and an hour and twenty-minute drive to Colorado Springs. For those who wish to pay a little more, you can fly directly into Colorado Springs and shuttle to any of a number of hotels without the need for a car rental.

However, that wouldn’t be advised as there is a whole lot of sightseeing to do once you get there. Some of the best attractions include the Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, US Air Force Academy, Olympic Training Center, and Old Colorado City Historic District which are all very short drives. For the adventurous ones, a one hour and fifteen-minute drive to see the Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge, the world’s second-highest is a spectacular 955 feet above the Arkansas River.

Hotels are abundant and reasonably priced and with the Tiger’s new home, Robson Arena on campus one has a variety of lodging choices in downtown Colorado Springs. If you’re into a more luxurious experience spend some of that hard-earned money on a weekend at the Broadmoor Hotel, one of the top luxury hotels in the country including a world-class golf course. Although there are interruptions for snow, generally speaking, the Broadmoor golf course is a year-round facility. The Sunday brunch at the Broadmoor has to be experienced to understand how over the deep end it is. Food is set up in a huge ballroom with nearly anything you can imagine for breakfast. Reservations are suggested of course.

Tickets: Note:  Single-game tickets go on sale in late September. Get your tickets early. Colorado College tickets

SCSU travels to Colorado Springs on February 2-3. Temperatures will rarely be below 30 degrees and could be as high as 60 degrees. It’s not the ideal time to be in Colorado Springs but it could be sunny and 50-60 degrees which would be a good respite from Minnesota weather.

Favorite Places to Dine: Once again, they are too numerous to mention. But suggestions are Phantom Canyon Brewing Company, Golden Bee, Panino’s, Jax Fish and Oyster Bar, Red Gravy, and Jack Quinn’s Pub. For breakfast, check out Urban Egg, one of the best breakfast spots in the city. I can’t say enough good things about Famous Steak House 31 N Tejon Street. Excellent wine and beer selections, outstanding steaks, and a great “Chicago Steakhouse” type atmosphere. Finally, the Broadmoor Hotel for Sunday brunch is an experience in itself. Reservations required.

Visitors Guide to Restaurants in Downtown Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs restaurants featured on HGTV’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Worth Noting: The Huskies have not lost at Colorado College since February 22, 2013. Robson Arena is a beautiful facility with great sightlines. The fans and arena staff are very accommodating. This has always been one of my favorite road trips.

#3 University of Nebraska Omaha (Omaha, NE) | December 8/9, 2023

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Omaha earns my #3 ranking this year based on a number of factors including ease of getting to the destination, cost of lodging, weather, attractions, dining, and outstanding hockey venue in Baxter Arena.

Despite a drive time of just over 6 hours from St. Cloud, it’s very manageable as it’s literally all freeway if taking 35W / I80. With a gas tab between $60-70 one way, it’s still fairly painless on the pocketbook. That goes for lodging as well as choices are plentiful including a number within walking distance of Baxter Arena in the newly developed Aksarben Village a retail/student housing/lodging area integrated with the University of Nebraska-Omaha campus. Baxter Arena, completed in 2015 reminds me of Amsoil Arena in Duluth with great sightlines, plentiful concessions, and wide concourses.

The Omaha metropolitan area has a population of approximately 800,000 and along with that comes all the attractions of a larger city with numerous historical sites and a multitude of dining options. For example, it’s home to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium named by Trip Advisor as the best zoo in the world. Omaha boasts four Fortune 500 companies and is the home of Warren Buffett and his Berkshire Hathaway empire. And, how can you go wrong with a city that is home to Omaha Steaks and invented the Reuben Sandwich and Raisin Bran? The weather is typically fairly mild and with this year’s games on December 8/9, you can expect the average temperatures to be near 40 degrees. With the Huskies 28-16-2 vs Omaha all-time, odds are you’ll see some road team success as well.

Tickets: University of Nebraska-Omaha

Favorite Places to Dine: If you are staying in the Aksarben Village area (highly recommended) there are numerous choices. If you don’t mind the drive, I’d strongly suggest heading to the Old Market Area, the art and entertainment district. It’s about a 15-minute drive but is a great place to walk around and enjoy the surroundings with lots of shops and galleries and numerous restaurant choices. Some suggestions are M’s Pub, Jackson Street Tavern, Upstream Brewing Company, and for breakfast Le Peep or Wheatfield’s. Obviously, Omaha is known for its steaks and two of the best steakhouses are Brother Sebastians and Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. Adjacent to Baxter Arena are Voodoo Taco and Mai Thai (home of the $5 Mai Tai). Close by are Beacon Hills, DJ’s Dugout (sports bar), Herb Sainte (New Orleans dining and cocktails), Inner Rail Food Hall (10 food vendors), and Oklahoma Joe’s BBQ. Although I have not tried it, I hear Muchacho’s (Mexican BBQ/Fusion) is a place to try.

Omaha restaurants featured on HGTV’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Worth Noting: The road trip to Omaha is a great venue and worth the six-hour drive. If you haven’t taken in a game at Omaha and flying trips are out of the question I strongly suggest this for a weekend getaway.

#4 Minnesota State University, Mankato (Mankato, MN) October 13/14, 2023

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The Huskies and Mavericks are sister schools in the Minnesota State Colleges and University System and rivals in many intercollegiate sports. They also engaged in a classic Frozen Four semi-final battle on April 8, 2021, in Pittsburgh, PA, a one-goal win by SCSU to send the Huskies to the NCAA national championship game. The Huskies also knocked the highly-ranked Mavericks out of the NCAA tournament with a 4-1 win last March. So yes, it’s a tradition-rich rivalry.

Much like the Duluth road trip, it’s a short drive from St. Cloud (slightly over 2 hours) and gives one the option to stay for the weekend or make the round-trip to attend one or both games. Lodging, shopping, and eating establishments abound within walking distance of the Mayo Clinic Event Center. Interesting side trips include the Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm with tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the fall. A trip to nearby Nicollet (13 miles from Mankato) home of the award-winning and largest meat market in southern Minnesota Schmidt’s Meat Market is a very interesting experience. En route to Mankato and if you have a sweet tooth you may wish to stop at Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, also known as Jim’s Apple Farm, located in Jordan, MN. Open mid-May through November, they offer all sorts of fun products including hard-to-find nostalgic sweets, fresh-baked pies, and strudels, the world’s largest selection of sodas, a large variety of popcorn, pasta, jams, jellies, pickles products, meats, cheeses, and other products raised or made locally by surrounding farms. Note: They do not accept credit or debit cards or any form of plastic. Cash or checks only.

If you are looking for local breweries you may wish to give Mankato Brewery or LocAle Brewery a try.

Favorite Places to Dine: One thing about Mankato is there is plenty of dining within walking distance of the Mayo Clinic Event Center. This includes Olives, (excellent service and food choices), Rounders Sports Bar and Grill, Pub 500 (named one of the 12 best bars outside the Twin Cities), Blue Bricks, (appetizers, burgers, and pizza), Number 4 Gastropub (traditional pub food and one of a kind dishes) and Nolabelle Kitchen + Bar (traditional American cuisine with local ingredients). If it’s just pizza you’re after go for Dino’s Pizzeria (brick oven pizza) or Pagliail’s Pizza described by some as the “Best Pizza in the United States”.

Tickets: Minnesota State University Mankato

Worth Noting: The Mike Hastings era has ended and the program is on a rebuild. The Mavericks have been the cream of the crop in the CCHA and would like nothing better than to upend the Huskies on home ice to start the season. This is a budget-friendly road trip with the option to make the drive for each game if you wish to forgo the cost of lodging. Either way, you’ll see a competitive weekend of hockey.

#5 Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) November 10/11, 2023

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I’ve always liked the road trip to Kalamazoo and typically rank it quite high. It’s been a good replacement for the trip to Houghton when SCSU was in the WCHA to play the MTU Huskies. I’ve made the trip four times – once by vehicle, once via a flight to Chicago, and the balance of the trip by rental car, and twice via a non-stop flight to Grand Rapids International (GRR). Driving from St.Cloud may be at the end of being tolerable at nine hours but, this year’s games are in early November which is typically one of the drier months with temperatures between 20 and 40 degrees.

Other options include flying directly to Kalamazoo (limited flight schedule) or to Chicago a few days early to catch one of Minnesota’s professional sports teams on the road or doing some dining, shopping, or hit some Broadway shows. For the adventurous, you can also catch an Amtrak train and it’ll take you to within two blocks of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo – a good central location to stay. Another option is to fly to Grand Rapids, MI, and drive from there. That is my suggested choice if you can get an agreeable airfare. You can catch a non-stop 47-minute flight from MSP, rent a car at the terminal, and make an incredibly easy freeway drive to Kalamazoo in 52 minutes (no tolls and little traffic). Hit a Biggby’s Coffee en route or Tim Horton’s as you hit Kalamazoo to start your weekend.

Kalamazoo is a great college town and once you get there there are a ton of things to do before catching games at Lawson Arena. If you are into craft beer, the Kalamazoo Craft Beer Trail has 12 breweries on its list including the well-known Bell’s Brewery. Possibly lesser known by most folks, Southeast Michigan is dotted with numerous vineyards and wineries. The Lake Michigan Circle Tour is a huge attraction for those traveling to the area. You can easily kill an entire day visiting tasting rooms at some surprisingly gorgeous wineries. However, again, since the series is in November, many will be closed. Granted, the wine is not going to rival that of California, Oregon, or New York but the tasting rooms are well-run and the owners are very accommodating. If you like older rinks, Lawson Arena is great. The Lawson Lunatics are some of the loudest and most boisterous fans in all of college sports and hockey is their favorite sport. The rink brings you back to a simpler time in sports arenas and the fans are welcoming and pleased to have opposing visitors at their games. Be aware they have plans for a new athletic facility so your days may be numbered to experience Lawson.

Tickets: Western Michigan University

Favorite places to dine: I’m still a neophyte on dining in Kalamazoo after only four trips to the city. However, for breakfast, Sophia’s House of Pancakes 4700 Stadium Drive is a classic place to go to start the day. For dining Crow’s Nest at 816 S Westnedge Ave and Rustica at 236 S Kalamazoo Drive are good choices. Studio Grill at 312 W Michigan Avenue. is an interesting choice for breakfast.  The Saugatuck Brewing Co. is another safe bet as is Martini’s for pizza and Italian food located at 832 S Westnedge Ave. Specialty locations such as Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken (2 locations) and Sweetwaters Donut Mill (2 locations) are worth checking out.

Tickets: Western Michigan University

Worth Noting: Lawson Arena is usually a lively atmosphere with friendly fans and a genuine college atmosphere. The Huskies and Broncos have developed a healthy rivalry and the games are usually quite entertaining. Personally, I’ll make this trip as often as I can. It’s always enjoyable.

#6 Denver University (Denver, CO) | January 13-14, 2024

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Denver is a great travel destination. Flights to Denver can be very reasonable with proper planning and once you arrive at the airport you can let public transportation take over. Denver has perhaps the finest public transportation system in the country. You can take the light rail for $10.50 from the Denver Airport to downtown Denver (Union Depot) and once there you can take the RTD to Magness Arena, home of the Pioneers. There are enough hotels in downtown Denver to fit every preference and using a travel site like Hotwire can normally get you a pretty decent rate. Or, perhaps stay at the Crawford Hotel at Union Station.

Once downtown Denver, the options for dining and entertainment are numerous and commuters and visitors can hop on the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle. Running the length of the 16th Street Mall, the shuttle runs at frequent intervals offering convenient connections to all parts of Downtown, from Union Station and LoDo to the Denver Pavilions and Civic Center. The shuttle also connects to the two major transit stations Downtown: Union Station and Civic Center Station, as well as all rail lines. There are a ton of tourist attractions in Denver including catching a football game at Mile High Stadium or a professional hockey game at Bell Arena.

The arena is a nice facility with decent concessions. Parking is a bit of a hassle if you’re driving. It’s a short walk from the drop-off point if you take the light rail. Once at the game, the visitors are usually seated high at one end of the rink with a large net facing you and thus, not great sightlines.

The choice for Huskies fans this season is whether to make the trip to Colorado College or to Denver as the games are less than a month apart. For my money, Colorado Springs is the most desirable destination for a hockey weekend. However, if you like the big city and everything Denver has to offer and have no problem dealing with the logistics of traveling around Denver and to the games you may want to experience Magness Arena.

The Huskies face Denver on January 13/14. January in Denver is the second coldest month after December with average highs of 45°F and lows of 18°F. But do not count on these values too much as the weather in January can be very unpredictable and it can snow one day and then be over 60°F the next as a result of the warm Pacific winds that can blow down over the Rockies. Extremely cold weather is possible too with the overnight temperatures dropping down to -10°F or even lower on the very coldest days.  This trip will hit your pocketbook a little harder but is easily manageable logistically. Denver is a great place to visit.

Tickets: Denver University

Favorite places to eat: I haven’t even scratched the surface on my trips to Denver. There is absolutely great dining in Denver and there is a restaurant or tavern that fits your style several times over in downtown Denver.

Eater Denver Essential 38 Restaurants in Denver

Denver Restaurants Featured on HGTV’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

Worth Noting: Denver University is a perennial contender and the games are typically entertaining. However, the Huskies have not fared well at this rink over the years.

#7 Bemidji State University  (Bemidji, MN) | December 29, 2023

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Another affordable road trip on this season’s schedule is a single non-conference game with in-state rival Bemidji. It could be a cold drive to Bemidji with this year’s game on December 29th (Friday). It’s a manageable two-and-a-half-hour drive (I’ve done it many times roundtrip) and could get you back home before midnight if you choose to drive. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Bemidji is the place for you. Here’s a list of attractions from Trip Advisor.  The Sanford Center, home of the Beavers is a nice facility with the added feature of lodging attached to the center. Check out the list of lodging locations here.

Tickets: Bemidji State University

Favorite Places to Dine: Dining is limited but there are a number of places I can suggest. It’s a little rustic but a lot of the hockey locals hang out at Slim’s Bar and Grill. They’ve got a nice selection of burgers, great chili, and pizzas. Bar 209 has a wide selection of tavern food including poutine, cheese curds, walleye tacos, wings, burgers, and pizza. If it’s just pizza you’re looking for Dave’s Pizza (seems like every city has a Dave’s Pizza)  is the place for you. It’s been around since 1958 and still going strong. There are 170 Breweries in Minnesota and in Bemidji, it’s Bemidji Brewing. Like most Brew Pubs they have a limited menu but with beers like Mexican Chocolate Porter, Flanders Sour Red, Jalapeno Blonde, and Oud Bruin Kriek does it really matter? Finally, if it’s breakfast in a unique style you may want to try the Red Stu Breakfast Bar. They are located in downtown Bemidji and specialize in breakfast (only open until 3 PM). There are others but this will get you started.

Worth Noting: It’s another local rivalry and sister Minnesota State Colleges and University System schools with bragging rights on the line. It’s a nice venue and worth the trip. A bonus is to watch former SCSU coach Tom Serratore on the opponent’s bench.

#8 University of St. Thomas (Mendota Heights, MN) | October 7, 2023

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The Huskies have ushered in the season with games vs. the Tommies the past two seasons and will do it again in 2023-24 with a home-and-home series with this CCHA opponent. The opening game of the weekend series will be on Saturday, October 7 in St. Cloud, and the finale on Sunday in Mendota Heights so one could make a day of it in St. Paul. Ticket availability may be an issue so make plans early if you wish to attend. The Tommies play their home games in chilly Saint Thomas Ice Arena, a 1000-seat arena in Mendota Heights. They’ll be there until 2024-25 when they plan to move into the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena on campus.

Mendota Heights is 5 miles from the City of St. Paul so what makes this an attractive road trip is all that the city of St. Paul has to offer for the hockey fans in addition to one of the shortest drives on this year’s schedule for the SCSU fan base. There’s an abundance of nearby establishments for pre and post-game gatherings, but you’ll need an early start for this Sunday contest.

Favorite Places to Dine: If you arrive early in Saint Paul there are a number of options. The ultimate pub for hockey fans, Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub has been a favorite of hockey fans for years. With great food and drinks surrounded by a vast collection of hockey memorabilia, this is a place to visit if you’ve never been there. Owner and former Minnesota North Star Tom Reid has always been a friend of St. Cloud State University hockey.  If you’re looking for an old-fashioned atmosphere, interesting cocktails, and menu give Parlour on West 7th a try.  One of St. Paul’s most famous businesses is Cossetta’s Italian restaurant and market. You can dine in or take out and it’s interesting to shop in the Italian market. Other places on West 7th  to consider are the Downtowner Woodfire Grill, Mancini’s, Burger Moe’s, New Bohemia, DeGidio’s, Bennett’s Chop and Railhouse, and Patrick McGovern’s Pub.  Finally, if you’re looking for some upscale dining, St. Paul Grill is the place. It’s located in the St. Paul Hotel.

Mendota Heights Restaurants Per Trip Advisor 

Saint Paul Restaurants Featured on HGTV’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

Tickets: University of St. Thomas

Worth Noting: These games are scheduled for Saturday in St. Cloud and Sunday in Mendota Heights with the Sunday puck drop at 4:00 PM CT.

#9 Miami University (Oxford, OH) | February 9/10, 2024

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Miami’s ranking as a road trip destination for SCSU fans suffers due to its location. The 11-hour drive to Oxford pretty much makes this an airline destination. Even so, one has to fly to Cincinnati, not known for competitive airfares from Minneapolis. From there, one has to rent a vehicle and make the hour’s drive to Oxford. Another option would be to check fares to either Dayton, OH, or Indianapolis, IN. It’s about a two-hour drive from Indy and about an hour from Dayton.

Another issue can be the availability of lodging in Oxford. With a population of about 24,000, there are a limited number of hotels. When there are other major events going on in Oxford or on the Miami campus the availability of lodging becomes scarce. Thus, planning in advance is a must if planning a road trip to Oxford. However, Oxford, OH is a wonderful college town with a beautiful campus and top-notch athletic facilities including the Goggin Ice Center where the Steve Cady Arena is housed. The rink seats 2500 and can be a very lively atmosphere when the students are in attendance. Because this is a recent league competitor, the rivalry has not risen to the level that this is a “must” road trip for SCSU fans. The price tag for the weekend exceeds that of most other locations in the league. SCSU faces Miami on February 9 and 10. The historical average temperatures are close to 45 degrees so the weather is usually not an issue for this road trip.

Tickets: Miami University

Favorite places to eat: Paesanos Pasta House for good Italian food located near the campus, Patterson’s Cafe, Mac and Joe’s (Oxford’s oldest tavern), and since Cincinnati is known for Chili try Skyline Chili located at 1 East High Street. If you enjoy German food, the Steinkeller is worth a try.

Worth Noting: It’s always a tough battle for the Huskies in Oxford and you’re sure to see two competitive contests. Unfortunately, the logistics will never make this a top-ranked road trip for SCSU fans.

2023-24 SCSU MEN’S HOCKEY SCHEDULE