Dutchmen to open 2017-18 at Ice Breaker

by Ryan Fay

Union will open the 2017-18 season by making its third appearance in the Ice Breaker tournament, it was announced Saturday.

Minnesota Duluth will host the 21st annual event at the 6,500-seat AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, MN. Minnesota and Michigan Tech will round out the four-team field.

The first round of the tournament, set for Oct. 6, will see Union take on Michigan Tech at 5 p.m. and Minnesota Duluth against Minnesota in the nightcap. The third place and championship games will take place the following day.

Depending on what happens between now and then, Union's game against Michigan Tech could be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Huskies are one of only seven Division I teams yet to play Union.

The Dutchmen didn't have much luck in their two previous Ice Breaker appearances, 1999 in Denver and 2005 in Colorado Springs. In the 1999 event, Union lost to Denver 4-1 and Notre Dame 4-0. In 2005, the Dutchmen fell to Colorado College 6-1 and Air Force 9-2.

Tournament details with ticket prices will be released at a later date.

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