WCHA releases 2017-18 schedule

By @StefanKubus – 

Mark your calendars; the 140-game quest for the MacNaughton Cup begins Oct. 13 in an all-Michigan opening weekend, as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association released its schedule for the 2017-18 campaign Thursday afternoon.

Ferris State will welcome Northern Michigan, and Lake Superior State will host Michigan Tech, both on Oct. 13-14 to begin WCHA conference play.

Each member institution will play a total of 28 WCHA games (14 at home and 14 on the road).

Some highlights:

  • Oct. 27-28: Ferris State will battle defending MacNaughton Cup champ Bemijdi State on the road
  • Nov. 3-4: Michigan Tech faces Bowling Green at home in a rematch of their double-overtime 2017 WCHA Championship game
  • Oct. 27-28: Michigan Tech and Minnesota State – who have combined for three of the last four WCHA titles – play in their only meeting
  • Jan. 19-20: The Cappo Cup series between Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan will be decided in a season-opening non-conference series (Oct. 6-7) and in the January meeting in Marquette.
  • Nov. 10-11: Michigan Tech vs. Northern Michigan (home-and-home)
  • Feb. 23-24: Michigan Tech vs. Northern Michigan (regular season finale)

In non-conference play:

Oct. 6: Ferris State at Western Michigan

Oct. 7: Western Michigan at Ferris State

Oct. 27-28: Lake Superior State at Michigan State

Nov. 3-4: Ferris State at Michigan

Nov. 17: Ferris State at Michigan State

Nov. 18: Michigan State at Ferris State

Nov. 24-25: USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program at Lake Superior State (exhibition)

 

Additionally, Ferris State will battle Mercyhurst and participate in the Three Rivers Classic (opponents TBA); Michigan Tech will square off against Arizona State and participate in three tournaments – the Icebreaker Tournament, the Great Lakes Invitational and the Ice Vegas Invitational; Northern Michigan will battle Wisconsin, Omaha and participate in the Ice Vegas Invitational.

To see the full schedule, click here.