LAS VEGAS, NEV. – Four nationally ranked teams take the ice this weekend at the third-annual Fortress Invitational at T-Mobile Arena, according to the new weekly rankings announced on Monday. The college hockey tournament is part of a full week of hockey action as the New Year begins which also features three Vegas Golden Knights home games starting today.
The action in the Fortress Invitational begins with first-round play on Friday at 5 p.m. with No. 14 Providence vs. No. 20 Army followed by No. 2 Cornell vs. No. 6 Ohio State at 8:30 p.m.
“There’s not a better in-season tournament this year than the Fortress Invitational,” said Brooks Downing, President of event organizer bdG Sports. “Vegas hockey fans are going to see four of the nation’s best teams. It’s truly a preview of the 2020 Frozen Four.”
Tournament organizers worked closely with Golden Knights’ president Kerry Bubolz and his team to create a triple-header on Saturday. Vegas, which plays Anaheim today and Philadelphia on Thursday, will open Saturday’s action against Stanley Cup-champion St. Louis at 1 p.m. The arena will be cleared following the game and the Fortress Invitational championship will be played at 5:30 p.m. followed by the consolation game at 9 p.m. All Fortress Invitational games will be televised live by FloSports on FloHockey.tv.
No. 2 Cornell ran off 10-straight wins to start the season before dropping a game to Dartmouth on Dec. 7, the last time the Big Red took the ice. Junior goaltender Matt Galajda earned top goaltender honors in the ECAC for the month of November, after not ceding more than two goals in any game during that month. No. 6 Ohio State (12-4-2 record on the season) has sweeps over Michigan and Michigan State earlier this season, and swept Colgate last weekend in its final tune-up before Vegas.
Providence College (10-5-4) is led by Tyce Thompson, the nation’s leading goal scorer with 14 goals, and Jack Dugan, who leads the nation in scoring and assists at 35 points and 29 assists, respectively. Dugan is a name many VGK fans may soon know as he is one the team’s top prospects after being selected in the fifth round of this summer’s draft. Army finished the 2019 portion of its schedule with a 13-5-1 record, the most wins in program history for the first half of a season.
Tickets are on-sale at AXS.com or by calling 888-9AXS-TIX. Ticket information and hotel room information for fans can be found at www.fortressinvitational.com
Tournament Schedule
Friday, Jan. 3
- No. 14 Providence vs. No. 20 Army – 5 p.m.
- No. 2 Cornell vs. No. 6 Ohio State – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 4
- Championship Game – 5:30 p.m.
- Consolation Game – 9 p.m.