Friday, October 7, 2011

Weekend Breakout

What to watch for this weekend.

Weekend Breakout

Center stage – There is no shortage of compelling storylines in this weekend’s Ice Breaker Tournament, where two top-five teams could meet Saturday night. Standing in Boston College and North Dakota’s way, however, is a Michigan State team debuting for new head coach Tom Anastos (vs. BC) and an Air Force team (vs. North Dakota) that seems to upset at least one national title contender each season. Beautiful Ralph Engelstad Arena hosts the event while celebrating its 10th anniversary, with all four games available on Fox College Sports Central and fightingsioux.com.

Also on TV: Northern Michigan at Wisconsin (Fri.); Sacred Heart at Minnesota (Fri.)

Banner event – Minnesota Duluth will raise its national championship banner in front of one of the preseason favorites to take this year’s crown, Notre Dame. By the end of this month these two schools will have he two newest rinks in college hockey. The Fighting Irish can size up Amsoil Arena this weekend – and get a sense of how they stack up nationally – prior to opening the Compton Family Ice Arena later this month.

Future watch – College an be a big step for a freshman, but by all accounts Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick Tyler Biggs is ready to make an immediate impact. Leafs fans can follow Biggs’ college debut this weekend as his Miami RedHawks host Bemidji State for a pair. Devils pick Blake Coleman and Lightning pick Jimmy Mullin also make their college debuts.

In the show – More than two hundred college hockey veterans will take the ice with NHL teams as that league’s season starts this weekend. Tonight’s Nashville-Columbus game may not make national headlines but will feature the debuts of Cam Atkinson (Boston College) and Craig Smith (Wisconsin). Both were somewhat surprising additions to their NHL rosters after strong training camps.