Northern Michigan University’s athletics department has released the 2026‑27 men’s ice hockey schedule, a season that marks the program’s 50th anniversary and weaves together tradition, travel and tournament play.
Opening weekend and early road tests
The Wildcats open the campaign at home against Miami University (Ohio) on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, beginning a 50‑year celebration that will be felt throughout the schedule.
The following weekend the team travels to East Lansing to face Michigan State, with the exact dates still being finalized as either a Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday series.
Stonehill will visit the Berry Events Center for games on October 16 and 17, adding a non‑conference matchup early in the season.
Conference play begins after a brief rest at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the Wildcats will start their CCHA slate.
November brings two consecutive home weekends, first against Minnesota State on November 6 and 7, then against Bowling Green on November 13 and 14.
The Wildcats head to Big Rapids for a series at Ferris State on November 20 and 21, followed by their first home‑and‑home series with Michigan Technological University on December 4 and 5.
The schedule then shifts to Milwaukee for the Kwik Trip Holiday Face‑off at the Fiserv Forum on December 29 and 30, a neutral‑site tournament that will showcase the team to a national audience.
January is a month‑long stay in the Upper Peninsula, beginning with a home series against Bemidji State on January 8 and 9, followed by road games at Lake Superior State on January 15 and 16, and a return home to host Michigan Tech again on January 22 and 23.
The month concludes with a home series against Ferris State on January 29 and 30, after which the Wildcats will travel to Bowling Green for the first weekend of February before enjoying a bye week.
February continues with a road trip to Minnesota State on February 19 and 20, and the regular season wraps up with a home series against the Lakers in Marquette on February 26 and 27.
The CCHA playoffs are slated to begin on March 5, running through the championship game on March 20, after which the team will head to the NCAA Regional tournament from March 25 to 28.
The culmination of the season arrives in early April, when the NCAA Frozen Four will be held from April 8 to 10, offering the Wildcats a chance to compete for national glory in a historic year.
Coach Dave Shyiak, who has guided the program for many of its milestones, expressed excitement about the schedule, noting that the blend of home‑ice celebrations and challenging road trips reflects the team’s ambition to honor its past while aiming for future success.