Despite Minnesota being the pond hockey capital of the United States, the Gopher hockey team have not played an outdoor game since Michigan-Michigan State played the first “Cold War” in 2001. That might change soon.
↵From Chuck Schwartz over at Wisconsin’s SB Nation blog Bucky’s 5th Quarter:
↵↵↵Wisconsin State Journal beat writer Andy Baggot just tweeted that officials at Wisconsin and Minnesota are discussing an outdoor hockey game.
↵The game would take place between the two schools at Soldier Field in Chicago. Baggot notes that the game would be played in February of 2013 (next hockey season).
↵Baggot also notes it could be part of a doubleheader.
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Minnesota and Wisconsin have been rumored to play outdoor games in the past, both at TCF Bank Stadium and Camp Randall, but the sticking point has been playing a conference game outdoors.
↵It’s unknown if this game would count in WCHA play or who the other teams involved would be. Notre Dame is within close proximity but there are a number of teams whose fans can make the drive to Chicago.
↵UPDATE: The Wisconsin State Journal updated its story with more information. The other two teams would be Notre Dame and Miami (Ohio) while this would count as one of Wisconsin's home conference games.