The NCHC’s release of its 2020-21 schedule on April 8 rounded out Denver’s slate for next season.

The Pioneers are scheduled to play 34 regular-season games, evenly split between home and away.

Here are a few initial takeaways:

Tough start: For the second season in a row DU will begin with four road games – a pair at Arizona State and singles at Boston College and Providence. After a home and home against Air Force, the Pioneers travel to Western Michigan, never an easy trip, and face North Dakota at home. Winning six or seven of those first 10 games would be an accomplishment.

Front Range splits: Not only do the Pioneers have a home-and-home against Air Force, a young team that improved late in this season, but they play a unique split against Colorado College in February. The teams’ two series don’t occur until the season’s final five weekends. The first set, however, is spread out over consecutive Saturdays, one in Denver and one in Colorado Springs. A more traditional home-and-home happens on March 5-6.

Movement month: The four weeks leading up to the first CC game won’t be a picnic either. In order DU plays host to Minnesota Duluth (the teams’ only meetings of the regular season), travels to Miami and North Dakota and then plays host to what I anticipate will be a vastly improved St. Cloud State team.

Bye bye byes: The Pioneers have two weekends off during the season’s first half, but due in part to the first CC series, they play every weekend from New Year’s weekend until their season is finished.

2020-21 Denver hockey schedule

Oct. 9-10: at Arizona State

Oct. 16: at Boston College

Oct. 17: at Providence

Oct. 23: at Air Force

Oct. 24: vs. Air Force

Nov. 6-7: at Western Michigan*

Nov. 13-14: vs. North Dakota*

Nov. 20-21: vs. Omaha*

Dec. 4-5: vs. Arizona State

Dec. 11-12: at St. Cloud State*

Jan. 1-2: vs. Alaska Anchorage

Jan. 8-9: vs. Minnesota Duluth*

Jan. 15-16: at Miami*

Jan. 22-23: at North Dakota*

Jan. 29-30: vs. St. Cloud State*

Feb. 6 (Sat): vs. Colorado College*

Feb. 13 (Sat): at Colorado College*

Feb. 19-20: vs. Western Michigan*

Feb. 26-27: at Omaha*

March 5: vs. Colorado College*

March 6: at Colorado College*

March 12-14: NCHC quarterfinals (best of 3)

March 19-20: NCHC Frozen Faceoff

March 26-28: NCAA Regionals

April 8-10: NCAA Frozen Four

• • NCHC game

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