Excitement is building among fans as the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs get ready to hit the ice at AMSOIL Arena for the upcoming hockey season. Both the men's and women's teams prepare for their season openers this weekend.

The UMD women's team is slated to kick off their season with a home game on Friday, Oct. 6, facing off against Long Island University (LIU). In preseason polls by USCHO.com, UMD's women's team impressively secured the 6th rank in the nation. However, the Bulldogs are well aware of the challenges ahead, with LIU making their first-ever National Tournament appearance last year.

Meanwhile, the UMD men's team is set to make their 2023-2024 debut on Saturday, Oct. 7, against the Michigan Tech Huskies. The Bulldogs had a successful encounter with the Huskies in 2022, securing a 3-0 victory.

For many students, this marks their first opportunity to witness the Bulldogs in action. To enhance the experience of watching UMD Hockey at AMSOIL Arena, here are some valuable tips and tricks for Bulldog hockey. 

Tickets 

For men’s hockey, students have two ticket options. Season tickets can be purchased for $99 on umdbulldogs.com, guaranteeing students a seat at every regular season home game while classes are in session. Please note, that a valid UCard is required and each student can purchase a maximum of one season ticket. Alternatively, single-game tickets are available for purchase at the UMD Ticket Office on campus from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the AMSOIL Ticket Office on game day. Ticket prices range from $10 to $15, and if purchased at the AMSOIL Ticket Office also includes a $4 Facility Fee. A limited number of single-game tickets are available for each game. For women’s hockey, tickets are free and available at the UMD Ticket Office or the AMSOIL Ticket Office. Students will receive one free ticket per game with their UCard. 

In case student section tickets sell out, alternatives include standing-room-only tickets or reserved seats elsewhere in the stadium at the full adult price. Keep in mind that students can purchase up to two single-game student tickets per UCard (only one for premium games). A valid UCard is required for entry into AMSOIL Arena through the student gate.

Transportation 

Free shuttles to AMSOIL Arena are available for students only on men’s game days. These shuttles arrive 90 minutes before puck drop and depart from the Kirby Bus Hub. After a brief shuttle ride, students are dropped off at the harborside entrance of the arena. The return shuttle to campus picks up students from the same location after the game concludes.

To access AMSOIL Arena, students must enter through the Student Gate at the harborside entrance. It's mandatory for students to present their UCard and digital ticket for entry and they will be wristbanded upon entering the arena. Seating in the student section is on a first-come, first-serve basis, with students directed to the upper-level student section once the lower level reaches maximum capacity. 

Other Notes 

Although there is no alcohol permitted in the student section during the games, be prepared to sing ‘The Beer Song’ with the help of the UMD Pep Band seated right above the student section. Don’t know the words to the song — we got you covered! 

Keep in mind that games tend to get a little intense, so make sure to treat your fellow fans and your environment with respect. That doesn’t mean you still can’t have fun or show your school spirit in support of your team. 

Both the men's and women's teams are expected to be competitive this season, with rankings of 17th and 6th, respectively, according to USCHO.com preseason polls. The men's team is eager to return to the NCAA National Tournament after they failed to make the cut last year, aiming to improve upon last year's 16-20-1 record. 

Meanwhile, the women's team, ranked 6th nationally, has its sights set on another strong season following their quarterfinal appearance in last year's National Tournament, where they were eliminated by second-seed Minnesota.

Overall, this promises to be an entertaining season for Bulldog fans, as both teams aspire to uphold the storied legacy of UMD hockey. Go Bulldogs!