Denver, Colorado College at Coors Field
Colorado College, University of Denver will play at Coors FieldThe University of Denver has announced that they will be playing against the Colorado College Tigers in an outdoor game at Coors Field. The NCAA contest is scheduled for Feb. 20, a week before the Red Wings and Avalanche play outside as part of the 2016 Stadium Series.
“It’s going to be awesome,” DU junior center Quentin Shore told the Denver Post. “We all watch the outdoor games and it will be a dream come true to play in one. The fact that we get to play CC in downtown Denver is unreal.”
"We couldn't be more excited to be announcing this game, which we are very pleased to do in partnership with our longtime rivals Colorado College as well as the Colorado Rockies and NCHC," DU Athletic Director Peg Bradley-Doppes said. "The Denver hockey program has a proud tradition and rich history, having won seven national championships, made 14 Frozen Four appearances and won 29 total conference championships, and this game will further add to the Pioneers' legacy. This game at Coors Field will also add a new dimension to our storied rivalry with the Tigers, and we can't wait to pack the park with college hockey fans in February."
The DU-CC rivalry dates back to 1950, with the Pioneers having gone 165-116-17 in 298 all-time meetings with the Tigers. Denver swept Colorado College in the teams' four-game season series this past season to reclaim the Gold Pan, bestowed annually upon the winner of the series. CC has held possession of the trophy in 12 of its 22 years of exictence.
Located in Denver's historic 'LoDo' district, Coors Field has served as the Rockies' home since 1995, during which time it has hosted a Major League Baseball All-Star Game (1998) as well as the World Series (2007). February's DU-CC showdown will mark the first time a sport other than baseball will be played at the stadium competitively.
More information on the 'Battle on Blake', including ticketing info, will be announced at a later date.
The festivities will also include an alumni gamebetween the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche. The two franchises were fierce rivals in the mid-90s through early 2000s.
Before the Red Wings and Avalanche play outdoors, Minnesota will host Chicago at TCF Bank Stadium on Feb. 21. The Winter Classic will feature Montreal and Boston in Gillette Stadium.
-- by Ryan Dadoun for NBC Sports and cctigers.com --
NHL confirmed outdoor game in Denver
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05/05/2015 - 18:00
