CCHA Championship game moved to Sunday, semifinals will be Saturday

The last CCHA Championship game will be the final contest of college hockey’s 2013 conference tournament weekend.

All eyes in college hockey — and maybe all of hockey if the NHL lockout isn’t resolved — will be on Joe Louis Arena in Detroit when the CCHA holds its Mason Cup final at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.

There will be no third place game.

The CCHA Awards will take place Friday, March 22 at Fox Theatre in Detroit. The CCHA semifinals will be played at 1:05 p.m. and 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at Joe Louis Arena.

The NCAA granted the CCHA a special one-time exception to hold the league championship on a Sunday because Joe Louis Arena is unavailable on Friday, March 22.

“We looked at the options and a Saturday-Sunday format is the best one,” CCHA Commissioner Fred Pletsch said. “Both the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Committee and ESPN have been very accommodating in assisting us in finalizing our championship schedule. We look forward to an outstanding championship weekend.”

The 42nd season is the final season for the CCHA with its members leaving for the Big Ten, NCHC and WCHA in 2013-14.

Under head coach Walt Kyle, Northern Michigan has reached Detroit for the CCHA Championships or CCHA Super Six in in seven of his previous 10 seasons. Northern has not reached the Joe in each of the past two seasons after losing first round series to Bowling Green State in Marquette in back-to-back years.

The complete schedule is below

2013 CCHA Championship Weekend Schedule of Events

Friday, March 22: CCHA Awards at the Fox Theatre

Saturday, March 23: CCHA Championship semifinals at 1:05 p.m. and 4:35 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena

Sunday, March 24: CCHA Championship final at 2:05 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena