Penn State hockey to play program’s first outdoor game at Wrigley Field

In recent years, Penn State hockey has gained national exposure by scheduling neutral site games in places like Philadelphia, Nashville, and, in this upcoming season, Washington, D.C. The Nittany Lions now add another special venue to their travel itinerary, taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Chicago’s Wrigley Field this coming January in the Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series. The event will mark the first time in program history that Penn State hockey will play an outdoor game. 

Nittany Lions confirmed for the Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series at Wrigley Field 

Mandatory Credit: Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, Penn State hockey announced that the program will head to Chicago in January as part of the Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series at Wrigley Field. The event complements the NHL’s Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, and will feature four NCAA games, three men’s and one women’s. 

The Blackhawks and Blues will kick off the festivities on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The following weekend will include a pair of doubleheaders. Penn State will take on Notre Dame in the first game of the day on January 3, 2025, while the nightcap will be Ohio State versus Michigan. 

The following day will start with a women’s hockey matchup between Ohio State and Wisconsin, and the series finale will be a men’s matchup between Wisconsin and Michigan State.

All the games will be must-see matchups, with many featuring teams that have national title aspirations. The Ohio State and Wisconsin women’s hockey game could be a preview of yet another rematch between the two programs in the National Championship. 

On the men’s side, Wisconsin and Michigan State will be two of the favorites to win the Big Ten heading into the season. Add in great rivalries like Ohio State-Michigan and a growing rivalry between Penn State and Notre Dame, and the Frozen Confines should produce a terrific weekend of hockey.

Penn State hockey eyeing return to NCAA Tournament

Penn State hockey had a down year last season after making it to the NCAA Regional Final the season prior. The offense never seemed to get going, and the Nittany Lions sputtered to a 15-18-3 record. 

Guy Gadowsky hopes to get back into the postseason discussion in 2024-25 with what could end up being one of the most talented teams he has ever had in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions return multiple key players from last year, including emerging superstar Aiden Fink, and add a loaded recruiting class to the ice. 

While the talent will be there, the questions will be more about how long it takes for the team to gel and develop enough chemistry to compete with a loaded Big Ten conference with four national title contenders. 

Penn State begins its season for a two-game series at Alaska on October 5 and 6. The Nittany Lions will host St. Lawrence for the first home series of the year at Pegula Ice Arena on October 25 and 26.

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