The CCHA announced the regular-season schedule for their final season today.

By Michael Caples –

The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced today that their final championship weekend in Detroit will have some scheduling changes.

The CCHA Championship will be played at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday, March 24. The final league championship game is normally played on Saturday, but the NCAA Division 1 Ice Hockey Committee granted the CCHA permission on a one-time only basis to hold the game just before the NCAA selections are announced.

The CCHA will not host a third-place game this season.

“Joe Louis Arena was unavailable for college hockey on Friday, March 22. We looked at the options and a Saturday-Sunday format is the best one,” said CCHA Commissioner Fred Pletsch. “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.”

From the CCHA press release:

The 2013 CCHA Championship marks the 32nd anniversary of the event being held at Joe Louis Arena. The first championship held at The Joe was in 1982 with Michigan State defeating Notre Dame, 4-1.

As part of the CCHA Championship Weekend, the league will also host its annual awards show at historic Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, March 22. The CCHA Awards, renowned as the ‘Oscars of College Hockey’, celebrate the annual all-conference, scholar-athlete and all-rookie teams, along with individual honors, including the Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Perani Cup winners and the Mike and Marian Ilitch Humanitarian Award.

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