The stage is set for a crosstown men’s hockey matchup Saturday between the University of St. Thomas and University of Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m.
This year’s game marks the second time the schools have faced each other at Xcel, with last year’s ending in a dramatic 6-5 overtime victory for the Gophers.
“They’ve been gracious enough to play us right now, to help us grow our program as we continue to become more solidified at the division one level,” coach Rico Blasi said in a press conference prior to the season. “I think the energy that it brought to our campus and our alumni was pretty special last year.”
A lot has changed for the Tommies since that defeat.
St. Thomas will join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference in 2026. The NCHC features past national champions Denver, Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota.
The Tommies, in only their fourth season in Division I, were voted the top team in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s preseason coaches poll.
Junior forward Lucas Wahlin, last season’s top scorer for St. Thomas, also became the first Tommie to be named the conference’s preseason player of the year. Wahlin has tallied 3 points in 3 games this season, tied third among the team.
The purple enter the matchup 1-1-1, losing only to No. 16 St. Cloud State, 1-0.
The 3-1 Gophers are coming off a two-game sweep of Minnesota-Duluth and defeated St. Cloud State 5-1 in their season opener. The Gophers play their home opener Friday at 3M Arena at Mariucci as part of a two-game series against St. Thomas.
St. Thomas athletics will provide buses to the game for students. For more details and to reserve a spot, click here.
Juan Del Valle can be reached at delv9625@stthomas.edu.