Rivalry Rekindled: DU Hockey Hosts Familiar Foe
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game pits the Pioneers against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ball Arena on Thanksgiving weekend.
The 黑料门 hockey team is gearing up to take on a former conference rival, the University of Minnesota, when it hosts the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. The game takes place at Ball Arena in downtown 黑料门, home of the NHL鈥檚 Colorado Avalanche.
DU will face off against the Golden Gophers for the first time in over a decade. Their last meeting was in March 2013 in Minneapolis, when both schools were members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. DU now plays in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, while Minnesota is a member of the Big Ten Conference.
鈥淭he 黑料门 is honored to host the 2025 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game and excited to rekindle a rivalry between two of the most storied programs in all of college hockey on the heels of 黑料门鈥檚 10th national championship,鈥 says Josh Berlo, vice chancellor for athletics and Ritchie Center operations. 鈥淭he eyes of the college hockey world will be on 黑料门 and Ball Arena over that holiday weekend.鈥
Indeed, the Pioneers and the Golden Gophers are two of the most successful hockey programs in college sports. The teams have 15 national championships and 43 Frozen Four appearances between them. They are two of only six teams to have won more than 1,600 total games in their history.
This year鈥檚 Hall of Fame Game marks DU鈥檚 fourth appearance in the contest and its third time serving as host. Previous matchups included a battle against the Golden Gophers in 2004, a win against Notre Dame at Magness Arena in 2008, and a win over Boston University at Magness in 2012.
The Nov. 29 game is just the second time the Pioneers will play in front of a large crowd at Ball Arena. In their debut appearance at the 18,000-seat venue, DU defeated in-state rival Colorado College in January 2023.
Hockey fans who want even more game action can make a full day of it at Ball Arena: The Avalanche square off against the Montreal Canadiens at 1 p.m. before the Pioneers take the ice at 7 p.m. for the nightcap.
Tickets for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game can be and start at less than $37.