The Penguins announced today, a unique doubleheader featuring an American Hockey League game and an NCAA Division I game will be played Thursday, Dec. 30 at CONSOL Energy Center – part of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ weeklong celebration of hockey in the week leading up to the 2011 Bridgestone Winter Classic.
Pittsburgh’s Robert Morris University will take on 2010 NCAA Frozen Four participant RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) in the college game at 3 p.m.
The Penguins’ AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, will then meet the rival Hershey Bears in the minor pro game at 7:30 p.m. Hershey is the Washington Capitals’ AHL affiliate.
The Penguins and Capitals will play in the Bridgestone Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field.
“This is the first of a series of events we’ll be announcing to celebrate all levels of hockey in the week leading up to the Winter Classic,” said James Santilli, the Penguins’ vice president of marketing. “The doubleheader is a great way to showcase AHL hockey and NCAA hockey and give those players the opportunity to play in a new NHL arena.”
One ticket will allow fans to attend both games of the doubleheader. Ticket pricing and an on-sale date will be announced in the near future.