OPEN PRACTICES THURSDAY
Prior to the games on Friday, fans can attend team practices on Thursday, March 17, which are open to the public. Practice times on Thursday are 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. CT with each team allotted one hour for practice. Fans attending practices should enter Xcel Energy Center through Gate 1, which will open at 10 a.m. CT, while the venue will close at 3:15 p.m. CT.
Thursday, March 17 (times CT)
- Minnesota Duluth: 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. (media at 11:25 a.m.)
- Denver: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (media at 12:40 p.m.)
- North Dakota: 12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. (media at 1:55 p.m.)
- Western Michigan: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (media at 3:10 p.m.)
POST-PRACTICE PRESS CONFERENCES
Following each practice on Thursday, a press conference will be held with the head coach and select student-athletes. Fans can watch all of Thursday’s press conferences live (or archived) for free on NCHC.tv.
NCHC AWARDS CELEBRATION
In addition, on Thursday night the Conference will return to hosting its annual NCHC Awards Celebration, when the Conference will announce its individual award winners. While not open to the public, fans can watch the event live for free on NCHC.tv. The Awards Celebration begins at 5:15 p.m. CT.
FAN SKATE
Also on Thursday night is the annual NCHC Fan Skate, when fans have the opportunity to skate on Xcel Energy Center ice, sharing the same surface that is used by the Wild and for the Frozen Faceoff. The Fan Skate runs from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. CT and is free to the public. Fans will need to bring their own skates, as rentals are not available, and should enter through Gate 1, which opens at 6:30 p.m. No hockey sticks, pucks, etc. are allowed on the ice and participants must sign a waiver.
FAN FEST
Fan Fest once again returns to the Frozen Faceoff on Friday and Saturday. Fan Fest will run from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. CT outside on both gamedays near Herbie’s on the Park and adjacent to Xcel Energy Center between Washington Street and Kellogg Ave. NCHC Fan Fest will feature ice-cold beverages, tasty food, interactive hockey games and music, along with a big screen to watch the Frozen Faceoff and Minnesota Wild games. Fan Fest is free and open to the public.
POST-GAME PARTY
Following the games each night, the official NCHC Post-game Party will take place at Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub only two blocks down 7th Street West from Xcel Energy Center. Owned by a former NHL defenseman, fans can enjoy food and drink specials at this signature hockey-themed establishment during the Frozen Faceoff.