The 2009-2010 hockey schedule for the University of Central Oklahoma has been released, and the only way to describe it is big names and tough competition. It is often said that the opening game of any schedule can set the tone of that entire season.

For the Bronchos, that saying could ring true. The Bronchos open this year’s hockey schedule at home, September 18th against the 2009 ACHA Division I National Champions. The Lindenwood Lions travel to Edmond, for a two game series that is sure to determine the direction of The Bronchos. In only its third year after coming into exsistence, the UCO hockey team made the National Championships. However, they lost to Illinois in the 1st round, but the feat of making the layoffs gives hope that this year will be different. Starting the season against the best of 2009 can only make them better.

UCO plays four more games at home to start the season. Two-games-a-piece against Saint Louis and Robert Morris.

Its first away stint starts October when UCO travels to Youngstown, Ohio to play in the ACHA Showcase. The Bronchos travel back to Edmond to play Indiana University, then travel to St. Charles, Missouri to play Lindenwood again.

To start the November schedule the Bronchos will kick off a three game home stint with two games against Oakland University and one game against North Dakota State. Then UCO will once again play Iowa State, in Ames, Iowa, in what is now becoming  a yearly event. The UCO, Iowa State matchups have always proven to be exciting displays of hardnose hockey between two often highly ranked teams. The Bronchos then play Missouri State at home, Mercyhurst College at home, then travel to Wooster, Ohio to participate in the Wooster Thanksgiving Tournament to round out November.

They begin December with bedlam. Round one of bedlam begins December fourth in OKC at the Blazers Ice Center vs the OU Sooners then goes to Edmond at Artic Edge Arena on December fifth. Bedlam may mean more for both teams this season as OU graduated some talented seniors and it may be a handing over of the torch of Oklahoma College hockey.

After bedlam round one, the Bronchos will take a break and resume action on January 8th when they travel to Ohio to take on Ohio University. UCO then plays Arizona State, Minot State, Texas A&M and Colorado State all at home in consecutive order from January 13- 30.

UCO rounds out this season by visiting Arizona State, new national tournament rivals Illinois, and returning to Oklahoma for round two of bedlam. The Bronchos face many opponents to prove something to – Lindenwood, Illinois, Iowa State and OU.

Their schedule is littered with national tournament teams and top 25 potnentials, but the Bronchos are focused on the ultimate goal and taking home their first National Championship Trophy come March.