The CONSOL Energy Center will play host to the Penn State men’s hockey team over winter break, as the Lions will participate in the inaugural Three Rivers Classic on December 28 and 29. The tournament should serve as a good measuring stick for a team in its first year playing Division 1-A hockey.

Penn State will take on Robert Morris University at 4:30 p.m., and Miami (Ohio) University will play (and hopefully beat) Ohio State University in the 7:30 p.m. game. The consolation and championship games of the tournament will be played the next day.

Robert Morris is coming off its first back-to-back winning seasons in conference play, and Miami (Ohio) looks to get back to its third Frozen Four in 4 years. The Three Rivers Classic is the first of two hockey tournaments in Pittsburgh this year, along with the Frozen Four tournament in April.

“It’s an exciting year for Penn State hockey, and to be able to play at an NHL arena like CONSOL Energy Center will be a highlight for our team,” says new Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky. “We look forward to showing the fans what Nittany Lion hockey is all about.”

Tickets go on sale on Friday, October 5th for all four games.