Hockey fans can celebrate New Year’s Day 2025 at Hasse Arena in Lakeville, where the University of Minnesota and Bemidji State University will play in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic.
The game will be 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. Ticket information and additional event details will be announced later.
“Our town is home to a thriving youth hockey program, and we are proud to unveil our newly installed outdoor ice sheet this season. This is a clear indication of Lakeville’s commitment to the sport,” Lakeville Hockey Association president Dan Klocke said in a news release. “Our girls youth program has flourished, thanks to the dedication of the countless community leaders. This event offers a unique chance to link our program with elite-level hockey.”
The Gophers and Beavers, rivals in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, will play for the Hall of Fame Game Trophy. It will be one of two times the Minnesota and Bemidji State women’s teams will play in a special event next season. They’ll also meet Jan. 25 as part of Hockey Day Minnesota at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee.
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame opened in 1973 in Eveleth and preserves and displays the game’s history in the United States. The museum is open seven days a week Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and Friday through Sunday the rest of the year. For more information, visit ushockeyhall.com.
Vikings camp
Minnesota Vikings players have reported to TCO Performance Center in Eagan this week to start training camp, and fans will be allowed into practices beginning this weekend.
The first two open practices Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, are sold out. Remaining practices open to fans:
Tuesday, July 30: noon-5 p.m.; practice 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31: noon-5 p.m.; practice 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 2: noon-5 p.m.; practice 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3: noon-5 p.m.; practice 2:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 5: 5-11 p.m.; practice 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 7: noon-5 p.m.; practice 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 8: noon-5 p.m.; practice 2:30 p.m.
Autograph sessions with current and former Vikings players will be part of each open practice. There will be youth football clinics at the July 27, July 31 and Aug. 8 practices and youth cheer clinics July 27 and Aug. 7. The Aug. 5 night practice includes fireworks and a live concert.
Tickets for all daytime open practices are $5 for adults, with children 17 and under admitted free. For the Aug. 5 night practice, tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 17 and under.
Training camp, of course will be the first opportunity fans will have to see the Vikings’ two first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft: quarterback J.J. McCarthy and linebacker Dallas Turner. Former Apple Valley High School athlete Spencer Rolland, who played college football at Harvard and North Carolina, will be trying to make the team as an offensive lineman.
More information about training camp and tickets is available at vikings.com.
USA Cup
Several locally based teams made long playoff runs in the USA Cup youth soccer tournament that concluded July 20 at the National Sports Center.
Among those teams was the Salvo Soccer Club’s girls Under-12 South Grey team, which won the A playoff bracket in the 9 vs. 9 Bronze Division, defeating Lake FC of Illinois 1-0 in the final. Including pool-play matches, Salvo went 6-0 in the tournament.
The U12 team from Eagan’s Wave Soccer Club reached the B bracket final in the 9 vs. 9 Bronze division before falling to North Suburban Soccer Association 4-1.
Twin Cities Rush defeated Lakeville Gold 2-1 in the championship match of the girls U16 Bronze division. Before reaching the final, Lakeville Gold had an intra-club playoff match with Lakeville Black, winning 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
Salvo Orange reached the final in the B bracket in the boys U13 Bronze division. Brainerd Blast defeated Salvo 2-1 in the championship match.
In the boys U15 Silver division, BV United (Burnsville/Apple Valley) reached the B bracket semifinals before losing to Manitou FC 1-0. Manitou went on to win the bracket.
The USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in North America, attracted more than 1,200 teams for its weekend (July 12-14) and weeklong (July 16-20) competitions.
Mike Shaughnessy can be reached at mike.shaughnessy@apgecm.com.
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