FAIRFIELD, Conn. (July 13, 2023) – The Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team has announced its 2023-24 schedule. The 34-game docket features 26 Atlantic Hockey contests, buttressed by eight non-conference tilts.
Following a pair of exhibition contests, the Pioneers will open their 31st season of competition at home on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14, as ECAC opponent Colgate comes calling at the Martire Family Arena. From there, it's straight into Atlantic Hockey play, as SHU travels to defending regular-season champion RIT to open the league schedule on Oct. 20-21. The following weekend, the Pios will get their shot at revenge against Niagara on Oct. 27-28, after the Purple Eagles won last year's AHA Quarterfinal series between the two.
In addition to the two Colgate games, the non-conference slate features a trip to independent LIU on Nov. 5, a home-and-home with ECAC member Princeton on Dec. 8-9, and a visit from Hockey East member New Hampshire on Dec. 30, as the Pios round out the calendar year on home ice.
The final non-conference games come in late January, as the Nutmeg State's four Division I hockey schools meet up for CT Ice on Jan. 26-27. This year's event will be hosted by UConn at the XL Center in downtown Hartford. SHU will meet the host Huskies on Friday, and then square off with either Quinnipiac or Yale on Saturday.
Turning attention back to the Atlantic Hockey docket, the Pioneers will spend their Thanksgiving weekend in western Pennsylvania, with a trip to Robert Morris for two games on Nov. 24-25. The Colonials return to the ice this winter following a two-year hiatus.
Meanwhile, defending league champion Canisius (Nov. 11-12), Mercyhurst (Jan. 5-6), Bentley (Jan. 13) and American International (Feb. 2-3) all make their first trips to Martire Family Arena in 2023-24. The AIC series comes a week after CT Ice and marks the start of the season's stretch run. The Pios will host the Yellow Jackets and then make the trek out to Air Force for two (Feb. 9-10), before a home-and-home with Holy Cross (Feb. 16-17) and a single game at Bentley (Feb. 24) to close out the regular season.
The Atlantic Hockey postseason will be spread over four consecutive weekends in March, beginning with the single-game first round featuring the sixth through 11th seeds on March 2. The best-of-three quarterfinal and semifinal series follow, on March 8-10 and March 15-17, respectively. The two semifinal winners will meet on March 23 in the winner-take-all Atlantic Hockey title game. The better seed in each matchup will host throughout the tournament.
Season ticket renewals are currently underway, and last year's season-ticket holders should refer to their email for more information. Details on new season ticket purchases and individual game tickets will be available later this summer.
