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A blockbuster schedule, including contests against six 2024 NCAA tournament teams, could determine the Huskies’ postseason aspirations by the first of the year. Once again, the road schedule is as grueling as ever, including trips to Ann Arbor, MI; Grand Forks, ND; Kalamazoo, MI; and Colorado Springs/Denver, CO. With that said, let’s take a look at our road trip ranking for the 2024-25 season:
#1 University of Michigan Wolverines (Ann Arbor, MI) | October 18-19, 2024
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The Huskies have not visited Yost Arena in Ann Arbor, MI, since March 22, 2002, when they were defeated by the Wolverines 4-2 in a controversial NCAA game. The teams renewed their competition last season, with the Wolverines visiting the HBNHC in a two-game series in November. This is the tail end of a four-game non-conference series with the perennial BIG 10 hockey power.
Although there are more accessible destinations for a road trip this season, I’ve ranked this on top due to the uniqueness of the journey, top competition, the atmosphere at Yost Arena, and the variety of things to do once in Ann Arbor.
“Tree Town” is located on the Huron River. The city of 125,000 (+300,000 metro area) is strongly dominated by the University of Michigan as a college town. It’s driveable through Chicago from St. Cloud, close to a 10.5-hour drive. Flight time from Minneapolis to Detroit is slightly over an hour, with another 30-minute drive to Ann Arbor. Another option is a one-hour flight to Grand Rapids and then a two-hour drive.
It may be at the tail end of the fall colors. However, visiting the University of Michigan’s Nichol’s Arboretum, Bird Hills Nature Area, or a Huron River drive might still be stunning. If you’re into craft beer, there are no less than 10 craft breweries to visit in Ann Arbor. If you are a college football fan, although the Wolverines will be in Indiana, you can still see the U of M’s “Big House,” which has a seating capacity of 110,000. You can also explore U-M’s campus, Museum of Art, Museum of Archeology, Michigan Union, Angell Hall, Burton Tower, ‘The Diag,’ the West Hall Arch, the Clements Library, and more.
For hockey, it should be a highly charged weekend of play and a good test of teams that could be in the NCAA tournament in April.
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or: University of Michigan
Places to Dine: I can’t be much help as it’s been over 20 years since I last visited Ann Arbor. However, downtown Ann Arbor has numerous dining options. Here’s aguide to thirteen restaurants to try in the city andthetop sports bars in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor Restaurant Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Worth Noting: Most college hockey fans may not realize it, but the Huskies have had more trips to the NCAA tournament than the Wolverines in the last decade.
#2 Colorado College Tigers (Colorado Springs, CO) November 22-23, 2024
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A road trip to Colorado Springs is always a consistent favorite. For those in Minnesota, traveling to a location with 247 days of at least partial sunshine is always welcomed. That’s just one of the reasons why hockey trips to Colorado Springs are always at the top of my list.
With a flight time of fewer than two hours to Denver or Colorado Springs, one can hardly get settled in before you are at your destination. And, with flights to Denver typically being one of the best bargains around, it doesn’t bleed the pocketbook to get there. After that, It’s a car rental and an hour and twenty-minute drive to Colorado Springs. Those who wish to pay a little more can fly directly into Colorado Springs.
Once you get there, some of the best attractions include theGarden of the Gods,Pikes Peak,US Air Force Academy,Olympic Training Center, andOld Colorado City Historic District,all very short drives. For the adventurous ones, it is a one-hour and fifteen-minute drive to see theRoyal Gorge Suspension Bridge, the world’s second-highest, whichis a spectacular 955 feet above the Arkansas River.
Hotels are abundant and reasonably priced, and with the Tiger’s new home,Robson Arena, on campus, one has a variety of lodging choices in downtown Colorado Springs.If you’re into a more luxurious experience, spend some of that hard-earned money on a weekend at theBroadmoor Hotel, one of the top luxury hotels in the country, including a world-class golf course.Although there are interruptions for snow, generally speaking, theBroadmoor golf courseis a year-round facility. TheSunday brunch at the Broadmoorhas to be experienced to understand how over the deep end it is. Food is set up in a vast ballroom with nearly anything you can imagine for breakfast or lunch. Reservations are suggested of course.
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU. Single-game tickets go on sale in late September through Colorado College tickets
SCSU travels to Colorado Springs on November 22-23. Temperatures are rarely below 30 degrees and could be as high as 60 degrees. It’s doubtful there will be any snow.
Favorite Places to Dine:They are too numerous to mention. But suggestions are Phantom Canyon Brewing Company,Golden Bee,Panino’s,Jax Fish and Oyster Bar,Red Gravy, andJack Quinn’s Pub.For breakfast, check outUrban Egg, one of the best breakfast spots in the city. I can’t say enough good things aboutFamous Steak House31 N Tejon Street. Excellent wine and beer selections, outstanding steaks, and a great “Chicago Steakhouse” atmosphere. Finally, the Broadmoor Hotelfor Sunday brunch is an experience in itself. Reservations required.
Visitors Guide to Restaurants in Downtown Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs restaurants featured on TV
Worth Noting: Robson Arena is a beautiful facility with excellent sightlines. The fans and arena staff are very accommodating. This has always been one of my favorite road trips.
#3 University of Minnesota-Duluth (Duluth, MN) | January 10-11, 2025
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The port city again is a top three road trip. The only drawback is the series is in the coldest month of the year. The reasons are apparent – ease of travel, the overall impact on the pocketbook, and the option to attend just one of the weekend’s contests if desired. This beautiful city is two and a half hours from St. Cloud, with ample lodging and numerous restaurant options. Pre-planning is necessary as hotels can be difficult to book at times at a competitive rate. The availability of a skywalk allows you to walk to the game from several downtown hotels with a light pullover.
If you’re into craft beer, there are no fewer than ten on the Duluth Craft Beer Trailto visit. If you are a skier, you can take in an afternoon of skiing atSpirit Mountain. If you’re into shopping,Canal Parkhas numerous unique shops and restaurants to kill several hours before game time. An excursion along the north shore of Lake Superior is a beautiful experience in the fall or winter months. The University of Minnesota-Duluth campus is in a lovely setting and worth the visit. You simply can’t go wrong with a trip to Duluth.
As for the hockey, the SCSU / UMD rivalry almost always has you on the edge of your seat.Amsoil Arena is one of the top venues in college hockey, with good sightlines and concessions. As a result, I consistently rank Duluth high on my list. This year’s schedule has the Huskies traveling to Duluth on January 10-11. The weather is unpredictable, but never fear—the Skyway system can get you there without a coat if you stay downtown.
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or: University of Minnesota-Duluth
Favorite places to dine: Mine are at opposite ends of the dining spectrum. TheCantonese House at 24 W 1st Street has been in business since 1972 and serves Americanized Asian cuisine. Let’s just say it’s a bit rustic, but the owners are accommodating, and the family servings are sizable and reasonably priced. It also gets a four-star ranking from Trip Advisor. This is a post-game dining location, as there’s nothing better than food like this after an evening of beverages.
Bellisio’s at 405 Lake Avenue South in Canal Park for pre-game diningis pricey but outstanding. It’s primarily Italian fare, and they have the best wine list in Duluth. The service and food quality are excellent, and it’s a short walk from the Amsoil Center after meals. Other suggestions are Va Bene Caffe,Tavern on the Hill,Valentini’s,At Sarah’sTable,Pickwick,Northern Waters Smokehaus,Fitgers Brewhouse,Blackwater Lounge,Grandma’s,Blacklist Brewery,Ursa Minor BreweryandOMC Smokehousewhich is only one block fromBent Paddle Brewing.
A short drive over the Blatnik Bridge into Superior, WI, gets you to theAnchor Bar and Grill. Its nautical design is unique and claims to have the best burgers in the Twin Ports. If you feel like making the 26-mile trip to Two Harbors Castle Danger Brewery. It is a fun North Shore experience.
Duluth area restaurants featured on TV
Worth Noting: These teams faced each other 17 times over the past three seasons. It’s one of college hockey’s top rivalries and a can’t-miss weekend of hockey.
#4 University of Nebraska Omaha (Omaha, NE) | January 24-25, 2025
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Omaha is easily a top-five road trip based on several factors, including the ease of getting to the destination, the cost of lodging, weather, attractions, dining, and the outstanding hockey venue inBaxter Arena.
Despite a drive time of just over 6 hours from St. Cloud, it’s manageable as it’s all freeway if taking 35W / I80. With a gas tab between $60-70 one way, it’s still reasonably painless on the pocketbook. That goes for lodging, and choices are plentiful, including within walking distance of Baxter Arena in the newly developedAksarben Village,a retail/student housing/lodging area integrated with theUniversity of Nebraska-Omahacampus. Baxter Arena, completed in 2015, reminds me of Amsoil Arena in Duluth, with excellent sightlines, plentiful concessions, and expansive concourses.
TheOmahametropolitan area has a population of approximately 800,000. Along with that comes all the attractions of a larger city with numerous historical sites and dining options. For example, it’s home to theHenry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, which was named by Trip Advisor as the best zoo in the world. Omaha boasts four Fortune 500 companies and is the home of Warren Buffett and his Berkshire Hathaway empire. And how can you go wrong with a city that is home to Omaha Steaks and invented the Reuben Sandwich and Raisin Bran? The weather is typically mild, and with this year’s games on January 28-29, you can expect the average temperatures to be near 30 degrees.
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or: University of Nebraska-Omaha
Favorite Places to Dine:There are numerous choices if you stay in the Aksarben Village area (highly recommended). If you don’t mind the drive, I’d strongly suggest heading to theOld Market Area, the art and entertainment district. It’s about a 15-minute drive but is a great place to walk around and enjoy the surroundings, with many shops, galleries, and restaurants.Some suggestions areM’s Pub,Jackson Street Tavern,Upstream Brewing Company, and, for breakfast,Le PeeporWheatfield’s.Omaha is known for its steaks, and two of the best steakhouses areBrother SebastianandMahogany Prime Steakhouse.Adjacent to Baxter Arena areVoodoo TacoandMai Thai(home of the $5 Mai Tai). Close by areBeacon Hills,DJ’s Dugout(sports bar),Herb Sainte(New Orleans dining and co*cktails),Inner Rail Food Hall(10 food vendors), andMuchacho’s(Mexican BBQ/Fusion) is a place to try.
Omaha restaurants featured on TV
Worth Noting: The trip to Omaha is a great venue and worth the six-hour drive. If you haven’t taken in a game at Omaha and flying trips are out of the question, I strongly suggest this for a weekend getaway.
#5 Denver University (Denver, CO) | February 28, March 1, 2025
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Denver is a great travel destination. Flights to Denver can be very reasonable with proper planning, and once you arrive at the airport, you can let public transportation take over. Denver has perhaps the finest public transportation system in the country. You can take the light rail for $10.50 from the Denver Airport to downtown Denver (Union Depot), and once there, you can take the RTD to Magness Arena, home of the Pioneers. There are enough hotels in downtown Denver to fit every preference, and using a travel site can generally get you a pretty decent rate. Or, perhaps, stay at the Crawford Hotelat Union Station.
Once downtown Denver, there are numerous dining and entertainment options, and commuters and visitors can hop on the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle. Running the length of the 16th Street Mall, the shuttle runs at frequent intervals, offering convenient connections to all parts of Downtown, from Union Station and LoDo to the Denver Pavilions and Civic Center. The shuttle also connects to the two major transit stations Downtown, Union Station and Civic Center Station, as well as all rail lines. Denver has many tourist attractions, including a professional hockey game at Bell Arena.
The arena is a nice facility with decent concessions. Parking is a bit of a hassle if you’re driving. If you take the light rail, it’s a short walk from the drop-off point. Once at the game, the visitors are usually seated high at one end of the rink with a large net facing you, and thus, sightlines are not great.
This season, the choice for Huskies fans is whether to make the trip to Colorado College or Denver if you wish to travel to Colorado, as the games are three months apart. For my money, Colorado Springs is the most desirable destination for a hockey weekend. However, if you like the big city and everything Denver offers, you have no problem dealing with the logistics of traveling around Denver and to the games. In that case, you may want to experience Magness Arena.
The Huskies face Denver on February 28 and March 1. As such, you could likely catch some very nice weather. This trip will hit your pocketbook a little harder but is easily manageable logistically. Denver is a great place to visit.
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or:Denver University
Favorite places to eat:Denver has absolutely great dining, and downtown Denver has a restaurant or tavern that fits your style several times over.
Eater Denver Essential 38 Restaurants in Denver
Denver Restaurants Featured on TV
Worth Noting: Denver University is a perennial contender, and the games are typically entertaining. However, the Huskies have not fared well at this rink.
#6 University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND) | December 13-14, 2024
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North Dakota ranks at #6 for the 2024-25 season. Granted, this is THE finest college hockey venue in the country and should be at a price tag of $104 million. It’s a reasonable three-hour and forty-five-minute drive up the freeway to Grand Forks, which is attractive to SCSU hockey fans. It’s also the first trip to Grand Forks in two seasons, and it’s time to take another weekend at the REA.
North Dakota fans are probably college hockey’s most fanatical and loyal followers. As a result, tickets are sometimes hard to get, and lodging becomes a problem if you do not plan ahead. And, despite the $104 million price tag, parking can be an issue for visiting fans at the Arena. An alternative is to take a public off-site shuttle or pay a nominal fee to take a bus from one of many restaurants, taverns, or hotels. However, it comes with the price tag of rushing to get out of the arena after the game to find your designated bus and then many times prying yourself into an obviously over-capacity bus filled with throngs of well-lubricated fans that may or may not appreciate the presence of a fan dressed in cardinal and black. Add to this that it is usually brutally cold and windy… you get the picture. An alternative is to seek out one of several off-site parking locations located 2-3 blocks from the arena at a typical parking fee of $10.
At the rink, the visiting fans are usually sequestered in an upper-level area with some of the steepest-grade seats I’ve ever seen. I’m always amazed that I had never heard of someone taking a tumble down the seats – until two seasons ago. A well-oiled fan cartwheeled down the seats with a large bucket of nachos and cheese flying everywhere, plowing into fans on his way down.
There are two club lounges in the arena, and they are typically a four-hour party and, again, packed to capacity. I’m willing to bet they sell more alcohol per square foot than any other venue in college athletics. Don’t get me wrong, if you haven’t been to the “Ralph,” you owe it to yourself to go. The big attraction is the games themselves. The North Dakota | St. Cloud State rivalry is one of the best, and the games are always entertaining and highly competitive. Some of the most entertaining collegiate games I’ve attended have been at Ralph Engelstad Arenavs UND.
Tourist attractions are somewhat limited. Travel Advisor’s top attractions are the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the University of North Dakota. Again, I have a hard time recalling any balmy weather on a hockey trip to Grand Forks. This season’s contests are in mid-February,so could we get lucky?
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or University of North Dakota
Favorite places to eat:TheToasted Frogat 124 N 3rd Avenue is an interesting and eclectic place. TheBlue Moose is a popular restaurant located at 507 2nd Street NW. TheSpeedway 805 Grill and Bar 805 North 42nd Street is a can’t-miss. Outstanding french fries (probably the best I’ve ever had), parmesan-crusted walleye is delicious, as is the shrimp basket. They also serve exotic burgers and ribs. There is also a bar area for pre or post-game libations. Red Pepper seems to have a reputation with hockey fans. It’s maybe a little overrated, but it’s still very popular. Unfortunately, old-school classics like the bronze boot have closed, leaving a void in some of the legacy steakhouses in the city. Otherwise, there are a lot of chain restaurants in Grand Forks.
Worth Noting: North Dakota continues to be one of SCSU’s top league rivals, and it is a reasonably priced weekend for fans if they plan early. The games are always highly entertaining and worth the price of admission. Availability of key seating locations, the weather, city attractions, and the general lack of parking are drawbacks to making this one of the top-ranked road trips for Husky fans. That’s unfortunate as it is an unbelievable venue. On the other hand, if you intend to have a party weekend, it fits the bill at the “Ralph” and off-site locations.
#7 Bemidji State University (Bemidji, MN) | October 12, 2024
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An affordable road trip on this season’s schedule is a single non-conference game with in-state rival Bemidji. It should be a scenic drive with peak colors to Bemidji with this year’s game on October 12th (Saturday). It’s a manageable two-and-a-half-hour drive (I’ve done it many times roundtrip) and could get you back home before midnight if you choose to drive. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Bemidji is the place for you. Here’s a list of attractions from Trip Advisor. The Sanford Center, home of the Beavers, is an excellent facility with the added lodging feature attached to the center. Check out the list of lodging locations here.
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or: Bemidji State University
Favorite Places to Dine:Dining is limited, but there are some places I can suggest. It’s a bit rustic, but many hockey locals hang out at Slim’s Bar and Grill. They’ve got an excellent selection of burgers, great chili, and pizzas. Bar 209 has a wide selection of tavern food, including poutine, cheese curds, walleye tacos, wings, burgers, and pizza.If it’s just pizza, you’re looking forDave’s Pizza(it seems like every city has a Dave’s Pizza), which is the place for you. It’s been around since 1958 and still going strong.There are 170 Breweries in Minnesota, and in Bemidji, it’sBemidji Brewing.Like most Brew Pubs, they have a limited menu, but with beers like Mexican Chocolate Porter, Flanders Sour Red, Jalapeno Blonde, and Oud Bruin Kriek, does it really matter? Finally, if it’s breakfast in a unique style, you may want to try the Red Stu Breakfast Bar. They are located in downtown Bemidji and specialize in breakfast (only open until 3 PM). There are others, but this will get you started.TheTavern is conveniently located in the Sanford Event Center but is generally very busy, and service can be pretty slow.
Worth Noting: It’s another local rivalry, and sister Minnesota State Colleges and University System schools will be fighting for bragging rights. It’s an excellent venue and worth the trip. A bonus is watching former SCSU coach Tom Serratore on the opponent’s bench.
#8 Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI) February 7/8, 2025
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I’ve always liked the road trip to Kalamazoo and typically rank it relatively high. It’s been a suitable replacement for the trip to Houghton when SCSU was in the WCHA to play the MTU Huskies. I’ve made the trip five times – once by vehicle, once via a flight to Chicago, and the balance of the journey by rental car, and three times via a non-stop flight to Grand Rapids International (GRR). Driving from St.Cloud may be at the end of being tolerable at nine hours, but this year’s games are in early February, which is surprisingly one of the lighter months for precipitation.
Other options include flying directly to Kalamazoo (limited flight schedule) or Chicago a few days early to catch one of Minnesota’s professional sports teams on the road, dining, shopping, or hitting some Broadway shows. For the adventurous, you can also ticket an Amtrak train, which will take you within two blocks of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo and one block from the Hilton Garden Inn – an excellent central location to stay. Another option is to fly to Grand Rapids, MI, and drive from there. That is my suggested choice if you can get an agreeable airfare. You can catch a non-stop 47-minute flight from MSP, rent a car at the terminal, and make an incredibly easy freeway drive to Kalamazoo in 52 minutes (no tolls and little traffic). Hit a Biggby’s Coffeeen route orTim Horton’sas you hit Kalamazoo to start your weekend.
Kalamazoo is a great college town, and once you get there, there are a ton of things to do before catching games at Lawson Arena.If you are into craft beer, theKalamazoo Craft Beer Trailhas 12 breweries on its list, including the well-known Bell’s Brewery. Possibly lesser known by most folks, Southeast Michigan is dotted with numerous vineyards and wineries. TheLake Michigan Circle Tour is a huge attraction for those traveling there. You can quickly kill an entire day visiting tasting rooms at surprisingly gorgeous wineries. However, since the series is in February, many will be closed. Granted, the wine will not rival that of California, Oregon, or New York, but the tasting rooms are well-run, and the owners are very accommodating. If you like older rinks, Lawson Arena is great. The Lawson Lunatics are some of the loudest and most boisterous college sports fans, and hockey is their favorite sport. The rink brings you back to a simpler time in sports arenas, and the fans are welcoming and pleased to have opposing visitors at their games. They have plans for a new athletic facility, so your days may be numbered for experiencing Lawson.
Favorite places to dine: For breakfast, Sophia’s House of Pancakes 4700 Stadium Drive is a classic place to go to start the day. Anna’s House claims to serve the best breakfast in Michigan. For dining Crow’s Nestat 816 S Westnedge Ave andRusticaat 236 S Kalamazoo Drive are good choices.Studio Grillat 312 W Michigan Avenue. is an interesting choice for breakfast. TheSaugatuck Brewing Co.is another safe bet, as isMartini’sfor pizza and Italian food, located at 832 S Westnedge Ave. Specialty locations such asLee’s Famous Recipe Chicken(2 locations) andSweetwaters Donut Mill (2 locations) are worth checking out. Jac’s is an excellent pre-or postgame location for beveahes, pizza, burgers and chicken.
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or Western Michigan University
Worth Noting: Lawson Arena is usually a lively atmosphere with friendly fans and a genuine college atmosphere. The Huskies and Broncos have developed a healthy rivalry and the games are usually quite entertaining. Personally, I’ll make this trip as often as I can. It’s always enjoyable.
#9 University of St. Thomas (Mendota Heights, MN) | October 6, 2023
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The Huskies have ushered in the season with games vs. the Tommies the past three seasons and will do it again in 2024-25 with a home-and-home series with this future NCHC traveling partner. The opening match of the series will be on Sunday, October 6, at 5:00 PM in Mendota Heights, and the finale will be on Sunday, December 29th, in St. Cloud. Ticket availability may be an issue, so make ticket plans early to attend. The Tommies play home games in chilly Saint Thomas Ice Arena, a 1000-seat arena in Mendota Heights. They’ll be there until 2025-26, when they plan to move into the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena on campus.
Mendota Heights is 5 miles from the City of St. Paul, so what makes this an attractive road trip is all that the city of St. Paul has to offer for the hockey fans, in addition to one of the shortest drives on this year’s schedule for the SCSU fan base. There are many nearby establishments for pre and post-game gatherings, but you’ll need an early start for this Sunday contest.
Favorite Places to Dine: If you arrive early in Saint Paul, there are many options. The ultimate pub for hockey fans, Tom Reid’s Hockey City Pub has been a favorite of hockey fans for years. With great food and drinks surrounded by a vast collection of hockey memorabilia, this is a place to visit if you’ve never been there. Owner and former Minnesota North Star Tom Reid has always been a St. Cloud State University hockey friend. If you’re looking for an old-fashioned atmosphere, interesting co*cktails, and menu,tryParlour on West 7th. One of St. Paul’s most famous businesses isCossetta’s Italian restaurant and market. You can dine in or take out and shopping in the Italian market is interesting. Other places on West 7th to consider are theDowntowner Woodfire Grill,Mancini’s,Burger Moe’s,New Bohemia,DeGidio’s,Bennett’s Chop and Railhouse, andPatrick McGovern’s Pub.Finally, if you’re looking for some upscale dining,St. Paul Grillis the place. It’s located in the St. Paul Hotel.
Mendota Heights Restaurants Per Trip Advisor
Saint Paul Restaurants Featured on TV
Tickets: Season ticket holders can request tickets through SCSU or: University of St. Thomas
Worth Noting: This game is scheduled for Sunday in Mendota Heights, with the Sunday puck drop at 5:00 PM CT.
