Penalty Box Post - Special Edition
December 17, 2020
WCHA releases 2nd half schedule for 2020-2021;
Gophers slated for 14 more games in regular season
The Women's League of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association released its composite schedule for the “second half” of the 2020-2021 regular season yesterday (Wednesday, December 16). The Gopher Women's Hockey team followed up with its own press release, documenting its 14 remaining contests to complete a 20-game schedule for the year.
The schedules, for individual teams and the league as a whole, are highlighted by some notable differences compared to past seasons. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual double round-robin format (with each team playing 2 two-game series against every other team) has been scrapped, with no member club playing a full 24-game conference schedule. Rather, the total number of games planned for each team (including those already played) varies between 16 (Wisconsin) and 22 (Minnesota State). On the flip side, while some pairings of teams will only play one head-to-head series, other pairings will meet for a third series (their fifth and sixth games) in the regular season.
Such is the case for Minnesota. The Gophers will not meet Minnesota State again in the regular season, and will play only single series against St. Cloud State and Bemidji State. However, despite already having hosted two games against Ohio State in November, Minnesota will face the Buckeyes in four more regular-season games. Here's the team's remaining schedule.
Jan. 4 & 5 – vs. Minnesota Duluth
January 9 – vs. St. Cloud State
January 10 – at St. Cloud State
Jan. 15 & 16 – at Wisconsin
January 22-24 – idle
Jan. 29 & 30 – at Ohio State
Feb. 5 & 6 – vs. Wisconsin
Feb. 12 & 13 – vs. Ohio State
Feb. 19 & 20 – at Bemidji State
February 26-28 – idle
Times for all home games except the Ohio State series (Feb. 12 & 13) have been set; check the GWH schedule page on GopherSports.com for details. Remaining start times, including for all road contests, are to be announced.
Additionally, details regarding the 2021 WCHA Final Faceoff and NCAA postseason will be released at a later date.
Also, per current Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, there will be no ticket sales for Gopher Women's Hockey home games at this time, as all entertainment venues are required to be closed to members of the public.
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