The Gustavus Adolphus College women’s hockey team will travel to Switzerland, France and Italy over the holiday break. Coach Mike Carroll and his squad will leave Saturday, December 27 and return Sunday, January 4. The team will play five exhibition games on the trip, one of which will be against Canadian powerhouse McGill University of Montreal.
Gustavus is currently 5-3 overall and 2-2 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play. The Gusties are currently ranked 11th in the USCHO Division III coaches poll.
Here is a brief look at the itinerary for the trip:
Sunday, December 28 – Spend most of the day sightseeing in Geneva, Switzerland and then spend the evening in Chambery, France.
Monday, December 29 – Bus trip to Alpe d’ Huez, a French ski resort. Play first exhibition game against HC Grenoble at 5:30 pm.
Tuesday, December 30 – Spend the morning back in Chambery and then take a bus trip to Meribel another French ski resort. Will play the second game of the trip against HC Val Vanoise at 8:30 pm. The game will be played on one of the ice rinks used in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.
Wednesday, December 31 – Morning bus trip to Grenoble where the team will tour the site of the 1968 Winter Olympic games. The team will also play a mini-tournament with games against McGill University and HC Grenoble. Return bus trip to Chambery in the evening.
Thursday, January 1 – Morning bus trip to tour Chamonix, France site of the 1924 Winter Olympics. Back on the bus in the afternoon and head for Italy. The team will stop in Courmayeur, one of Italy’s premier ski resorts before finishing the day in Torino, sight of the 2006 Olympic games.
Friday, January 2 – Play final exhibition game against All Stars Piemonte in Torino at 6:00 pm. Post game party with opponent near the rink.
Saturday, January 3 – Early morning bus trip to Milan where the team will spend the day sightseeing.
Sunday, January 4 – Depart from Milan for Minneapolis (through Newark, NJ) at 10:00 am