After two weeks off for finals and the holidays, the 14-4-1 University of Minnesota hockey team returns to action this weekend as the Gophers host the 5-5-6 Niagara Purple Eagles, 4-9-2 Princeton Tigers and the 7-7-2 Northeastern Huskies in the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis. The last time Minnesota played, it split a two game series with Michigan Tech with them losing Friday night 3-2 in overtime and winning 6-2 Saturday.

Minnesota enters this weekend the nation's second-ranked team in both the USCHO and USA Today poll. None of the other three teams are ranked although Northeastern did receive votes in the latest USCHO poll.

Details for this weekend's series are below.

Location for all games: Mariucci Arena, Minneapolis, MN
TV Schedule: None (games will be streamed on Gophersports.com but will cost money)

Game times:
Friday December 30 - Northeastern/Princeton 4 PM CST, Minnesota/Niagara 7 PM CST
Saturday December 31 - Niagara vs. Northeastern/Princeton 3 PM CST, Minnesota vs. Northeastern/Princeton 6 PM CST

Radio: ESPN 1500
Announcers: Wally Shaver & Frank Mazzocco

For more Gophers coverage, check out The Daily Gopher.