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Many Gopher hockey fans were upset when NBC Sports Network unveiled their 24 game college hockey schedule without any Minnesota games (or Minnesota teams for that matter). However, there is a good reason the cable channel was shut out: most games are already claimed.
The Gophers released their television schedule today and 34 of the team's 36 regular season games will be broadcast on either Fox Sports North or BTN. FSN will broadcast 28 games this season, including the regular season opener against Michigan State October 12th, both Mariucci Classic games (which weren't broadcast last year) and the last regular season North Dakota game January 19th as part of Hockey Day Minnesota. Unfortunately, 17 of those games will be on the alternate Fox Sports North Plus channel - which is not as well-distributed or known as the main FSN one - although there is a chance some games get moved if the current NHL Lockout continues.
Also unknown is who will replace Gopher play-by-play voice Anthony LaPanta in calling the games on Fox Sports North. LaPanta was hired in the same position for the Minnesota Wild and a decision on his replacement is expected soon.
BTN will show 6 games this season, up from 4 last year, as the Big Ten transitions into having a new hockey conference next year. This includes the Hockey City Classic outdoor game at Soldier Field against Wisconsin February 17th.
The lone series not shown on television this year is the November 9-10 showdown against Alaska-Anchorage in Anchorage.
Full TV Schedule (all times Central)
Friday October 12th Michigan State 6:07 p.m. FSN
Saturday October 13th Michigan State 8:07 p.m. FSN+
Friday October 19th at Michigan Tech 6:07 p.m. FSN
Saturday October 20th at Michigan Tech 6:07 p.m. FSN+
Sunday October 28th Canisius 1:07 p.m. FSN
Friday November 2nd Minnesota State 7:07 p.m. FSN
Saturday November 3rd at Minnesota State 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Friday November 16th Wisconsin 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Saturday November 17th Wisconsin 8:07 p.m. BTN
Friday November 23rd at Vermont 6:05 p.m. FSN+
Saturday November 24th at Vermont 6:05 p. m. FSN
Friday November 30th Nebraska Omaha 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Saturday December 1st Nebraska Omaha 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Friday December 7th at Colorado College 8:37 p.m. FSN+
Saturday December 8th at Colorado College 8:07 p.m. FSN+
Saturday December 29th Air Force TBA (Mariucci Classic) FSN+
Sunday December 30th Boston College TBA (Mariucci Classic) FSN+
Tuesday January 8th Notre Dame 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Friday January 11th Alaska Anchorage 8:07 p.m. BTN
Saturday January 12th Alaska Anchorage 7:07 p.m. FSN
Friday January 18th North Dakota 7:07 p.m. FSN
Saturday January 19th North Dakota 5:07 p.m. FSN
Friday January 25th Minnesota State 7:07 p.m. BTN
Saturday January 26th at Minnesota State 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Friday February 8th at St. Cloud State 7:37 p.m. FSN+
Saturday February 9th at St. Cloud State 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Friday February 15th at Wisconsin 7:07 p.m. FSN
Saturday February 17th vs. Wisconsin (Hockey City Classic in Chicago, IL) 3:30 p.m. BTN
Friday February 22nd Minnesota Duluth 7:07 p.m. FSN+
Saturday February 23rd Minnesota Duluth 7:07 p.m. BTN
Friday March 1st Denver 7:07 p.m. BTN
Saturday March 2nd Denver 7:07 p.m. FSN
Friday March 8th at Bemidji State 7:37 p.m. FSN
Saturday March 9th at Bemidji State 7:07 p.m. FSN+