• Nonconference action continues for Big Ten Hockey programs as the season rolls into Week 3. The marquee matchup finds No. 2/2 Michigan traveling to No. 1/1 Denver in a rematch of a 2026 NCAA Frozen Four semifinal. Michigan’s last win against a top-ranked opponent occurred Jan. 17, 2025 against Michigan State in Ann Arbor, Mich. The MICH-DU matchup is one of three series involving the Big Ten and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). Rv/rv Notre Dame battles No. 6/6 Western Michigan in a home-and-home set while #20/rv Minnesota takes on No. 9/9 Minnesota Duluth in Duluth. No. 3/3 Michigan State faces RPI on the road Saturday in the Spartans’ lone game of the week. MSU opened its season with a home sweep of Northern Michigan. Rv/#20 Penn State will host No. 8/7 Quinnipiac on Friday before returning to the ice Tuesday versus Robert Morris. Rv/rv Ohio State continues its East Coast swing, squaring off against Sacred Heart following a split at RPI last week. No. 5/5 Wisconsin is off after taking two games against No. 19/19 Minnesota State.

• Although the college hockey season is still in its infancy, several Big Ten performers have already risen to the top of the NCAA statistical lists. Michigan’s Jayden Perron leads in goals (7) and points (13) while Wisconsin’s Gavin Morrissey has won the most faceoffs (62). On the team side, Michigan ranks as the nation’s highest scoring team, averaging 7.00 goals per game. Michigan State sports the best power play percentage (.538) and shares honors with Penn State for the top penalty killing percentage (1.000).

• The Big Ten Hockey television schedule was unveiled Wednesday. The broadcast slate includes 32 games on linear television with 30 of those appearing on the Big Ten Network. In addition, BTN will carry the Big Ten Tournament semifinals and championship game. BTN will air six doubleheaders and the Frozen Tundra Faceoff outdoor game between Michigan and Wisconsin from Lambeau Field on Feb. 20. FS1 has earmarked Feb. 5 for its own doubleheader, featuring Great Lakes rivals Michigan and Michigan State and the Border Battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

• Big Ten Hockey fans can make a difference by taking part in “The We Give Blood Drive” organized by Abbott and the Big Ten Conference. For the third straight year, Abbott and the Big Ten are pitting school against school in a donation competition to combat the largest blood shortage in a generation. The winning school will receive $1 million to advance student or community health. Individual donors will be offered a free one-month subscription to B1G+ and will be entered to win a trip to the 2026 Discover® Big Ten Football Championship Game. Students, alumni, and fans can donate at mobile blood drives on campus and blood donation centers across the country. Results are being tracked at BigTen.org/Abbott after donors attribute donations to their favorite school.