The schedule is out

Here's hoping that the college hockey season starts and goes on as normal. No guarantees, at this point. Nonetheless, Minnesota State (and the WCHA) released its 2020-21 schedule on Wednesday. Here's how it looks (with a few editorial comments):

Home series in bold

Oct. 10-11 — Icebreaker tourney at Duluth, Providence, UMD/Minnesota ... Fun way to start the season. I'll be a lot of Mankato folks will make the trip to Duluth — if they're able.

Oct. 16-17 — St. Cloud State ... Too bad this isn't a home and home, considering the heavy road swing to start the year for the Mavericks.

Oct. 23-24 — Alaska ... The WCHA schedule begins in Fairbanks. Better in October than February, though.

Oct. 30-31 — Minnesota Duluth ... Gotta wait until Halloween weekend, but kicking off the home schedule against UMD is good. Mythical 2020 national championship on the line?

Nov. 6-7 — Northern Michigan ... The first home conference series is a good one with the Wildcats in town.

Nov. 13-14 — Bemidji State ... The Beavers should be one of the league favorites next year. By the time MSU rolls into town in mid-November we'll know for sure.

Nov. 20-21 — Lake Superior State ... Lakers could be sneaky good next season. They don't lose much.

Nov. 27-28 — Alaska Anchorage ... Will this be MSU's last trip ever to Alaska?

Dec. 4-5 — Bowling Green ... Enjoy the only meeting of the season between MSU and BG. The Falcons should be a league favorite next year.

Dec. 11-12 — Michigan Tech ... And now they can breathe after 10 straight weeks of play. What a grind of a first-half schedule.

Jan. 1-2 — Alaska ... The first repeat customer of the season (unless they end up playing UMD in the Icebreaker)

Jan 8-9 — Alabama Huntsville ... Another last hurrah before the conference change up?

Jan 22-23 — Ferris State ... Could this be the Hockey Day Minnesota opponent? Will it be played outside? Or will the weekend before, currently an idle on the schedule, be Hockey Day? Stay tuned.

Jan. 29-30 — Michigan Tech ... When we last left the Mavericks they were preparing to play the Huskies in the WCHA semifinals.

Feb. 5-6 — Lake Superior State ... I never made the trip to the Soo. Tough trip in February.

Feb. 19-20 — Ferris State ... Good thing there's an off weekend between two long treks to Michigan. 

Feb. 26-27 — Bemidji State ... Here's betting this series decides the MacNaughton — again.