OUTDOOR HOCKEY
The University of Minnesota announced details of an outdoor hockey doubleheader at TCF Bank Stadium to be played Friday, Jan. 17. Some highlights:
• The Gophers women's team will face Minnesota State Mankato at approximately 4:30 p.m., and the men's team will face Ohio State at 8 p.m.
• This is the first outdoor hockey game the Gophers have played host to in the modern era.
• Tickets for the event — the Hockey City Classic — go on sale to the public Oct. 22 and start at $15. Officials said they believe the event will sell out the 50,000-plus seat football stadium. Last year's Hockey City Classic at Soldier Field in Chicago drew more than 52,000 fans.
• Beer and wine will be sold.
• A winter festival will surround the outdoor games, consisting of youth, high school and adult hockey games, private ice rentals, public skating and more.
• The Big Ten Network is expected to broadcast the event, though no announcement has been made. It is not part of "Hockey Day Minnesota,'' a Fox Sports North endeavor slated for the following day, Jan. 18.
