Minnesota Duluth’s tentative schedule for 2013-14, the first season of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, is at the bottom of this post.

Denver makes its Amsoil Arena debut Friday and Saturday. Sounds crazy, but the Pioneers faced UMD in the final game at the DECC on Dec. 4, 2010 (a 2-1 UMD win) and haven’t been back to Duluth since. That’s one of the few drawbacks of a 12-team league.

Denver is 0-4-2 in its last six road games this season. Series notes from the University of Denver sports information office are here.

U.S. College Hockey Online talks about the 10-game unbeaten streak for the UMD women, heading to unbeaten Minnesota this week, in a story here.

Duluth octogenarian Shirley Kirsch, who has opened her home to UMD players for many years, is being honored with her own concession stand at Sill Arena of the Duluth Heritage Sports Center: Shirley’s Kitchen. Donations are being accepted to create a photo display at the concession stand and support the mission of the Heritage Sports Center (which provides a place for boys and girls to learn and grow). Donations can be sent to: Shirley’s Kitchen, Duluth Heritage Sports Center, 120 South 30th Avenue West, Duluth, Minn. 55806.

2013-14 Minnesota Duluth Tentative Schedule

Home games in CAPS

Oct. 11-12: MICHIGAN TECH

Oct. 18-19: at Colorado College

Oct. 25-26: NOTRE DAME

Nov. 1-2: at Ohio State

Nov. 15-16: at North Dakota

Nov. 22-23: at Minnesota

Dec. 6-7: ST. CLOUD STATE

Dec. 13-14: WESTERN MICHIGAN

Jan. 3 or 4: USA U18

Jan. 10-11: at Nebraska-Omaha

Jan. 17-18: DENVER

Jan. 24-25: Minnesota Cup, Xcel Energy Center, Opening round, UMD vs. Minnesota State-Mankato, Minnesota vs. St. Cloud State

Jan. 31-Feb. 1: at Western Michigan

Feb. 7-8: COLORADO COLLEGE

Feb. 14-15: at St. Cloud State

Feb. 21-22: NORTH DAKOTA

Feb. 28-March 1: at Miami of Ohio

March 7-8: NEBRASKA-OMAHA

March 14-15: NCHC First Playoff Round

March 21-22: NCHC Finals, Target Center, Minneapolis

March 28-29: Division I Regionals

April 10-12: Frozen Four, Philadelphia