For the second time in the space of a month, college hockey is taking it outside, a major non-conference event in the west that highlights a weekend that features several key matchups in the east.

CAMP RANDALL HOCKEY CLASSIC: NO. 19 MICHIGAN AT NO. 3 WISCONSIN

It's a rare second meeting of the season between the Wolverines and the Badgers, as the two teams will play outdoors at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. It will be the second outdoor game of the modern era for each program: Wisconsin defeated Ohio State at Lambeau Field in Green Bay in 2006, en route to the 2006 NCAA Championship, while Michigan helped kick off the trend of hockey games in football stadiums in 2001, playing against Michigan State at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. The Wolverines and Spartans will head outdoors again next season, as it was announced last week that "The Big Chill at the Big House" will take place on Dec. 11.

When the puck drops, though, it's still a hockey game, and an important one for both teams. After posting a 3-5 record in November and going 3-3 in December, the Wolverines entered 2010 with their NCAA-best streak of 19 straight NCAA tournament appearances in danger. Michigan went 5-2-1 in January, including a key win over Michigan State last Saturday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, and started Feburary off on the right foot Thursday night at Bowling Green with a 2-1 win. The Wolverines have one point-per-game player in junior forward Carl Hagelin (13g, 18a in 29 games), but have gotten a strong freshman effort from forward Chris Brown (11g, 10a), while junior Matt Rust (10g, 16a) has been another key player. Defense has been the story for the Wolverines, who have held opponents to 2.28 goals per game, good for eighth in the nation. The Wolverine penalty kill is sixth in the country (8.3 percent).

The Badgers, meanwhile, have lost just twice since dropping that game to Michigan at Yost Arena in November, with both setbacks coming in the last three weeks. Wisconsin will be looking to kickstart a strong finish to the season, as a pair of home games against St. Cloud on February 19-20 are the only remaining tests from the WCHA's upper echelon in the regular season. No slouch in the defense department themselves (2.38 goals allowed per game), the Badgers also bring the nation's No. 2 scoring offense, with the nation's top scoring defenseman, Brendan Smith, leading the way (10g, 21a), and forwards Michael Davies (11g, 19a), Derek Stepan (6g, 23a) Blake Geoffrion (18g, 9a) shouldering the load up front. Geoffrion is especially dangerous on the power play, having scored 10 of his 18 goals with the man advantage.

HOCKEY EAST GAME: No. 14 BOSTON COLLEGE at NO. 15 MASSACHUSETTS

The Eagles could get a major sign for their season on Monday when they meet rival Boston University for the Beanpot - BC's last three Beanpot wins have preceded trips to the Frozen Four, including the 2001 and 2008 NCAA titles - but they need to be concerned with Toot Cahoon's Minutemen in Amherst on Friday night. UMass boasts to of the nation's top forwards in national assists leader James Marcou (8g, 32a) and his main beneficiary, sophomore Casey Wellman (19g, 16a), while senior Will Ortiz (12g, 12a) has also been a major weapon for the Minutemen. Nearly half of Wellman's goals have come on the power play, where UMasss is fourth in the nation (22.7 percent), which will put pressure on the Eagles to stay disciplined and out of the penalty box.

The Eagles, meanwhile, will be looking to repeat the form that earned them a 3-1 win at the Mullins Center in early December, although it's been an up-and-down season ever since. BC has not won more than two games in a row since having a seven-game unbeaten streak snapped against St. Lawrence at the Denver Cup. The Eagles have the chance to make it three in a row on Friday, though, and will look to junior Brian Gibbons (10g, 20a) and sophomore Cam Atknson (16g, 11a) to lead the way, while junior John Muse will look to stymie Marcou, Wellman and the rest of the Minutemen.

HOCKEY EAST SERIES: NO. 13 NEW HAMPSHIRE AT NO. 16 MAINE

The signature rivalry of northern New England has lost some luster in recent years with Maine's struggles, but the Black Bears should have a fired-up crowd ready to go at Alfond Arena on Friday. The Black Bears have bounced back after a couple of disappointing seasons, and boast one of the nation's top scorers in Swedish sophomore Gustav Nyquist (14g, 22a). One of two Black Bears with double digit goals along with junior Tanner House (11g, 9a), Nyquist will likely be the main focus of UNH's defense. At the other end, the  Wildcats boast a top scorer of their own in senior forward Bobby Butler (18g, 18a), who, like Nyquist, is one of the top contenders for the Hobey Baker Award. Junior Paul Thompson (15g, 12a) has also put the puck in the net with regularity, while sophomroe Blake Kessel (6g, 22a) packs an offensive punch from the blueline as one of the nation's top scoring defensemen.

ATLANTIC HOCKEY SERIES: RIT at SACRED HEART

With top conference rivals Air Force and Mercyhurst in non-conference action this weekend (both schools will face Denver and Colorado College), the Tigers have a chance to solidify their grip on the conference lead. To do that, though, they'll need to shut down the nation's hottest team, unbeaten in 12 games. That starts with finding an answer for senior forwards Nick Johnson (21g, 15a) and Dave Jarman (9g, 27a), and will continue with getting the puck past freshman sensation Steven Legatto (12-6-3, .913 SV%, 2.93 GAA). The Tigers will counter with a balanced attack, boasting just one double digit goal scorer in sophomore Cameron Burt (11g, 10a), but eight players with five goals or more for head coach Wayne Wilson. Wins will put the Tigers solidly in the Atlantic Hockey driver's seat, but they'll be hard to come by.