UND HOCKEY: UMN vs. UND in an Outdoor Game?

Here’s something interesting from Charlie Walters daily column, yes I know, it’s Shooter. But Walters does make a good point. If Minnesota and Ohio State can make $350,000.00 for an outdoor game, I would imagine that could make more money with an attractive match-up like North Dakota versus Minnesota in an non-conference outdoor hockey game.

Can you imagine the number of fans that would probably want to see this event? I think you could definitely sell 50,000+ tickets for UND vs. UMN in an outdoor hockey game. The two teams haven’t played for a season and there’s the possibility they might go two or three more years without playing. Tickets could be in high demand.

The University of Minnesota's share from its recent outdoor hockey games will be about $350,000. When the Gophers, whose men's team hosted Ohio State last week, host another outdoor game, North Dakota will be sought as the opponent. (Shooter)

I talked about this subject last week on the Hockey Wilderness.

If you're going to schedule a high-profile event like this, you should at least schedule it against a more attractive opponent. I am just throwing it out there. This event would have been more appropriate for an opponent like the Wisconsin Badgers, Michigan Wolverines, Michigan State Spartans or another heated rival. I would have even suggested North Dakota. In my opinion, last year's Hockey City Classic between Wisconsin and Minnesota was way more entertaining, than this year’s Hockey City Classic.

It doesn't sound like Golden Gopher head coach Don Luica was all that excited about having another outdoor game anytime soon.

Lucia, however, demurred when asked whether the Gophers should play another outdoor game and instead lobbied the NHL to schedule one at TCF Bank Stadium.

"I think we'll wait for a while now," Lucia said. "Quite frankly, the next team that deserves to play this is the Wild."

The president of the Minnesota Twins would like to see the Minnesota and North Dakota faceoff in an outdoor game at Target Field sooner rather than later. I think that's one outdoor game that I would like to see.