NCHC to Showcase Enhanced Fan Experience at the 2015 Frozen Faceoff

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (February 4, 2015) -- The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) and Target Center have announced plans for many enhancements to the 2015 Frozen Faceoff on March 20 and 21 in downtown Minneapolis, Minn. After a thorough review of fan feedback, the NCHC and Target Center look to build upon the success of the inaugural event in 2014 to create a great weekend of fun for fans in 2015.

“One of the most important things we can do with the Frozen Faceoff is to provide the best possible experience for the fans attending,” said NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton. “Our institutions, conference staff and Target Center have spent considerable time reviewing our inaugural event in 2014 to ensure an even better experience in 2015. We believe our teams and fans attending the Frozen Faceoff will be treated to a memorable time.”

Frozen Faceoff Ticket Promotion: On Feb. 28 the NCHC will randomly select one lucky ticket holder to win a hotel room in downtown Minneapolis for March 20, a 2015-2016 NCHC.tv season-long conference subscription and an NCHC apparel package. All fans who have purchased at least two (2) All-Session tickets to the 2015 Frozen Faceoff through February 27 will be eligible to win. All-Session tickets to the 2015 NCHC Frozen Faceoff are available for purchase by visiting AXS.com. Single-Day Session tickets will be released for purchase on Feb. 23 at 10:00 a.m. CT.

Fan Experience Events: A significant part of the Fan Experience at the Frozen Faceoff will once again be the second annual Fan Fest, presented by Bud Light. After being on Target Plaza last year, this year’s Fan Fest will move to the front of Target Center encompassing the arena’s front entrance and 1st Avenue between 6th and 7th streets. The event will provide NCHC fans a place to mingle with others before the big games. Fan Fest will include live music, interactive games, beverages and new this year, a selection of food trucks to feed fans with some of the best mobile cuisine the Twin Cities has to offer.

Entrance to Fan Fest presented by Bud Light is free to all hockey fans starting at 11:30 a.m. CT on Friday, March 20. Fan Fest will move indoors to the Skyway level of Target Center on Saturday, March 21. Fans will need a Saturday-Session ticket to enjoy Fan Fest with doors opening 90 minutes before the third-place game slated to start at 3:30 p.m. CT. Doors will open at 3 p.m. on Friday.

In addition to NCHC Fan Fest, which kicks off each day of the tournament, several other events will highlight the championship weekend:

Team Practices

Team practices will be held both Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 and are free and open to the public. Thursday’s practices are from 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. CT, while Friday’s morning skates will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. with exact practice times announced the week of March 15 and posted on Frozen Faceoff Live on NCHCHockey.com.

Official NCHC Post-Game Party

A change in venue from last year, 508 Bar + Restaurant, located at 508 1st Avenue (directly across 6th street from Target Center), will host the official NCHC Post-Game Party on Friday and Saturday nights following the games. Fans attending the post-game party will be treated to drink and food specials along with a venue recently ranked as one of America’s top-10 sports bars by ESPN Business Reporter, Darren Rovell in USA Today. Don’t miss out on the fun immediately following the Semifinal and Championship games at 508.

Public Skate

Back again for the second time is a Fan Skate on the ice that will host the Frozen Faceoff games. Target Center will open its doors for a free public skate from 7 to 8:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 19. Guests will enter through the main lobby doors, which will open at 6:30 p.m. Skate rentals will be available.

Awards Celebration

The NCHC will once again hold its post-season Awards Celebration on Thursday, March 19 at Muse Event Center, located at 107 3rd Avenue North in downtown Minneapolis. The Celebration begins at 5:15 p.m. CT.

In addition to the events taking place during the Frozen Faceoff weekend, Target Center and the NCHC are committed to providing an incredible in-arena fan experience that includes competitive hockey games, a great hockey facility, a knowledgeable and helpful staff, delicious food and beverage options, top-notch in-game entertainment and a wide selection of Frozen Faceoff merchandise.

Staying Connected: For all the latest Frozen Faceoff news and information prior to and during the NCHC Tournament, visit Frozen Faceoff Live on NCHCHockey.com. Frozen Faceoff Live is the only location NCHC fans can stay connected for all things related to the NCHC Tournament, including game schedule and results, social media streams, pictures, videos, news, schedule of events, hotels, Minneapolis attractions and much more!

About Target Center:

Located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis’ vibrant Warehouse District and adjacent to Target Field, Target Center opened its doors in 1990 and is best known as the home of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. The arena, owned by the City of Minneapolis and operated by AEG, attracts more than 1 million visitors a year thanks to its professional basketball teams, sporting events such as college and high school hockey and high school basketball and entertainment events including major concerts, family shows and other attractions. For more, visit http://www.targetcenter.com

About the National Collegiate Hockey Conference:

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference is an eight-school, NCAA Division I men’s hockey conference that is in the midst of its second season. The NCHC’s member institutions are: Colorado College, the University of Denver, Miami University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University and Western Michigan University. Since 2000, the NCHC’s members have produced four NCAA Champions and 18 NCAA Frozen Four appearances. All eight members have participated in the NCAA Ice Hockey Championship tournament at least once since 2010, including three teams in 2014. For more information, visit http://www.nchchockey.com.