Penn State hockey’s 2016-17 schedule came a bit more into focus on Thursday as the Big Ten announced its conference slate. The Nittany Lions will open league play Thursday–Friday, Dec. 1-2 by welcoming defending Big Ten champion Michigan to Pegula Ice Arena.
Eighteen of the Big Ten games will occur after the holiday break beginning with a road series at Ohio State (Jan. 6-7). That sets up a four-game home stand when Michigan State (Jan. 13-14) and Ohio State (Jan. 20-21) visit Hockey Valley.
The Nittany Lions then hit the road for back-to-back series at Minnesota (Feb. 3-4) and Wisconsin (Feb. 10-11). Minnesota returns to Penn State for a series Feb. 17-18 during THON Weekend at Pegula Ice Arena. Penn State will host a series during THON Weekend for a third straight season in what is becoming an annual event that receives terrific television notoriety and awareness of the largest student-run philanthropic venture in the world.
Penn State heads to Michigan State for a two-game set at Munn Ice Arena on Feb. 24-25 before welcoming Wisconsin (March 3-4) for the final home regular-season series of the year.
For the second straight season, Penn State wraps its regular-season with a series at Michigan (March 10-11). This will be the first time that Penn State’s conference schedule is bookended by the same opponent.
Big Ten game times and television dates will be announced at a later time. Penn State will announce its non-conference schedule next week.
PENN STATE’S 2016-17 BIG TEN SCHEDULE
Dec. 1-2 vs. MICHIGAN
Jan. 6-7 at Ohio State
Jan. 13-14 vs. MICHIGAN STATE
Jan. 20-21 vs. OHIO STATE
Feb. 3-4 at Minnesota
Feb. 10-11 at Wisconsin
Feb. 17-18 vs. MINNESOTA
Feb. 24-25 at Michigan State
March 3-4 vs. WISCONSIN
March 10-11 at Michigan
March 16-18 at Big Ten Tournament (Detroit, Michigan)
