College Hockey Tournaments Set For Twin Cities

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Both Twin Cities will see a college hockey conference tournament champion crowned this weekend.

The inaugural Big Ten event starts Thursday in St. Paul at Xcel Energy Center, with Penn State playing Michigan and Michigan State facing Ohio State. Minnesota and Wisconsin have byes into the semifinals Friday. The championship is Saturday.

The first NCHC tournament is set for Target Center in Minneapolis. Miami of Ohio plays North Dakota and Denver takes on Western Michigan in the semifinals Friday, followed by the title game Saturday.

The WCHA has moved its semifinals to Grand Rapids, Mich., where Minnesota State will face Bowling Green Friday. Alaska Anchorage plays Ferris State in the other matchup, and the winners play Saturday for an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.