Big Ten to compete against Hockey East in new ‘Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge Cup’

By Michael Caples –

The Big Ten announced today that their six teams will compete against Hockey East in a new ‘challenge’ format this fall.

The two conferences will meet in the inaugural Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge from Oct. 18-27, with six games in Hockey East buildings the first week, six games in Big Ten buildings the next week, and one game at a neutral site.

“The Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge will offer a tremendous opportunity to build a relationship between our two conferences and to promote the strong traditions of college hockey on a national level,” said Big Ten Associate Commissioner Jennifer Heppel in a release. “The student-athletes will also benefit from the chance to take part in meaningful non-conference competition against other top programs.”

A Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge Cup will be presented to the conference that accumulates more points – wins earn a school two points, while a tie gives each team a point. Road wins earn a bonus point for the school.

Shootouts will take place at Big Ten rinks if necessary, but the points won’t factor into the final Challenge standings.

“The college hockey landscape is going through a major change this season and each conference needs to look beyond its familiar boundaries,” said Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna. “We have great respect for the hockey-playing institutions in the Big Ten and we hope to develop this concept to allow all of our programs to participate in this competition in future years.”

Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge Schedule
(All times EST and 7:00 p.m. unless noted)

Friday, October 18
Wisconsin at Boston College
Michigan State at Massachusetts
Michigan at New Hampshire (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, October 19
Wisconsin at Boston University
Michigan State at Massachusetts
Michigan at New Hampshire

Friday, October 25
Boston College at Minnesota (8:00 p.m.)*
Boston University at Michigan#
UMass Lowell at Michigan State@

Saturday, October 26
Boston University at Michigan State
UMass Lowell at Michigan#
Penn State vs. Vermont %
(Philadelphia, PA – 5:00 p.m.)

Sunday, October 27
Boston College at Minnesota (2:00 p.m.)^

* Big Ten Network
# XFINITY Channel 900
@ Fox Sports Detroit
% Comcast Philadelphia and New England
^ Fox Sports North and Sports Time Ohio