Are you ready for the 2021 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff? Head to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to cheer your favorite college hockey team on. The 2021 NCHC Tournament, normally held in the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, will take place at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks from March 12th through March 16th, 2021.
Find out more about the NCHC Tournament, the schedule, format, and other information about Grand Forks so you can enjoy the town and watch this exciting annual tournament. Then, visit one of our Rydell Car Wash locations for a quick wash before you head out!
About the NCHC Tournament
The National Collegiate Hockey Conference began in 2011, with six institutions coming together to create a championship college hockey program. The six original colleges included Colorado College, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Denver, the University of Nebraska Omaha, Miami University, and the University of North Dakota. Later in the season, St. Cloud State University and Western Michigan University joined the conference to create the current eight teams that compete in the NCHC Tournament.
The inaugural NCHC Tournament was held at the Target Center in Minneapolis, and in 2013, the NCHC championship got the nickname the Frozen Faceoff. In 2017, the NCHC Tournament moved to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. With NCHC teams representing a variety of states with breathtaking beauty and American traditions, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference stands as the premier college hockey conference in the United States. The Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is proud to host this prestigious event for the 2021 NCHC Tournament.
Why Is the Tournament Held in Grand Forks for 2021?
Due to COVID-19 related issues, the NCHC commissioner decided that Grand Forks is the best place to hold the 2021 tournament. North Dakota has stated that a limited number of fans can see the tournament in person at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, so the decision to move the tournament to Grand Forks made sense.
In addition, the University of North Dakota’s hockey team, the Fighting Hawks, will be in the competition, so holding the tournament at home helps inspire the players. The NCHC commissioner, Josh Fenton, felt that holding the tournament in a campus setting with stringent COVID-19 safety procedures will help to ensure the safety of all who will attend the NCHC Tournament.
What’s the Schedule and Format for the 2021 NCHC Tournament?
Different from previous NCHC Tournament seasons, the 2021 tournament is a single-elimination format. The quarterfinals happen on Friday, March 12, and Saturday, March 13, and the times are 2:30 or 7:30 p.m. The semifinals take place on Monday, March 15, at 3 or 8 p.m. The final championship game will occur on Tuesday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. This year, there won’t be a third-game place.
Here’s what the tournament format looks like:
- The No. 8 seed faces the No. 7 seed for the first two quarterfinals on March 12.
- The No. 3 and 6 seeds and the No. 4 and 5 seeds, face each other for the other two quarterfinals on March 13.
- The four quarterfinal winners get re-seeded for the semifinals on March 15.
- The final Frozen Faceoff champion gets crowned the winner on March 16.
What Will It Be Like to Attend the 2021 NCHC Tournament?
The tournament which will take place in the Ralph Engelstad Arena at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks will allow up to 3,000 fans, about 25% of the arena’s capacity. To follow COVID-19 and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, fans must wear masks at all times and maintain social distancing procedures. To avoid fans and crowds from congregating in the arena and concourse area, the games are in a single-session format. Many of the pre-game tickets went on sale in late February 2021, and if the event doesn’t sell out, single-game tickets go on sale March 8.
You can order food and beverages — you’ll just have to go straight to your seats to consume your order. Please don’t congregate in the lobby, concourse, or common areas. If you’re a lucky fan who gets to attend the 2021 NCHC Tournament, please follow the rules and policies set by the NCHC commission and the University of North Dakota so everyone can enjoy watching the tournament in a fun and safe manner.
How Do I Get to the Ralph Engelstad Arena?
You’ll find the 2021 NCHC tournament at the Ralph Engelstad Arena located at One Ralph Engelstad Arena Drive at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Whether you’re driving on Interstate 29 or Interstate 2, you’ll exit on Gateway Drive and then turn onto Ralph Engelstad Arena Drive. Once you park your car, you can enter the arena through the REA Entry with the Main, Northwest, and Southwest doors opening one hour before the start of the game. If you use a ride-share service like Lyft or Uber, the drop-off and pickup location is at the Southwest entrance.
What Else Can I Do While Visiting Grand Forks?
Bring out your inner hockey player and head over to the Town Square Ice Rink in Grand Forks to enjoy ice skating. The rink is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Other cultural and educational activities include visiting the North Dakota Museum of Art and the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Enjoy dining at the Toasted Frog in downtown Grand Forks, and stop by the Red Pepper for grinders and Mexican favorites. Stop by Johnny’s Lounge and Casino to try your hand at gaming.
Get Your Car Washed Before You Leave Town
While you’re in Grand Forks for the 2021 NCHC Tournament, stop by Rydell Car Wash to get your car sparkling clean. We use state-of-the-art technology that removes dirt and grime, especially with winter salt and dirt buildup. Our advanced car wash system makes it easy for you to get in and out and back to exploring Grand Forks in no time.
Stop by 2600 South Washington St. or 1905 Gateway Drive to get your car shiny clean at Rydell Car Wash. And get in touch if you have any questions!
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