SCSU Hockey 2022-23 Campaign Begins Saturday

(KNSI) – Saturday is the first men’s varsity hockey game of the season for Saint Cloud State University, the earliest possible date for a game.

The situation presents some challenges. Head Coach Brett Larson says practice is extremely limited right now, as mandated by the NCAA.

“We’re kind of on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday type schedule. Hour practices. The design of the rule is to allow kids to acclimate to college, make sure they’re taking care of school and getting settled in and whatnot before we get into a regular schedule.”

In addition to the four hours per week of practice, players are allowed time in the weight room as well. Larson says the team has ten new faces, and they’ll need to be ready to go from the first drop of the puck against St. Thomas at 6:00 p.m. in Saint Paul.

It is one of several nonconference sets featuring in-state opponents. Larson says having Bemidji State, Minnesota State-Mankato, St. Thomas, and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers on the slate has been well received.

“You know, it started during COVID. To be honest, everybody was looking at cutting costs and limiting flight travel so we were able to create this schedule and I think out of that we’ve learned some things. Our fans love it, we love it, we’re playing some of the best teams in the country in different leagues. We’re hitting the CCHA, we’re hitting the Big 10.”

St. Cloud State is looking to return again to the NCAA Tournament. Last season, they lost in the first round after finishing fourth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. In 2021, the team made it to the title game. Conference play begins on November 4th at Denver, the defending national champions.

All games can be heard on KNSI.

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