The National Collegiate Athletic Association has released the hockey schedule for the upcoming 2018-19 season. If you’re a fan of the sport, this is arguably the most exciting time of the year. The NHL, the NBA, and the MLS have all wrapped up their seasons, and college hockey season is almost here.
While the best teams in the NCAA regularly earn themselves automatic bids to the NCAA tournament, hockey is still a largely amateur sport. That means that anyone can play at any time, and most games are held during the weekday mornings, afternoons, and evenings. That makes it a bit more convenient for those who work or have school-related responsibilities.
If you’re looking to stream NCAA hockey, here’s how you can do it.
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GoDigital
One of the biggest changes over the last decade has been the explosion of online video in all forms. It might not seem like it at first, but the NCAA has fully embraced the power of online video, and they’ve made it possible for anyone to stream their games. Even if you don’t have a TV, there’s almost certainly someone somewhere who does.
For those who do, it’s the perfect opportunity to follow their teams online. GoDigital is the best option for anyone in search of a free VPN to access the NCAA hockey website. You’ll need to enter your email address to secure your spot in the upcoming NCAA hockey season. Once you’ve done that, you’re good to go.
The only downside to GoDigital is that, due to its popularity, it can be a bit slow. However, it’s better than nothing, and if you’re serious about following hockey, it’s a must-have application.
NcaaHockey.com
If you’ve been following hockey for any length of time, you’ll know that ESPN owns the rights to all things NCAA. While the flagship television network doesn’t typically stream games live, they do provide extensive highlights on their website. If you’re looking to dive into the world of college hockey, this is the best place to start.
Even better is that you don’t need an ESPN subscription to access the website. You can click here to visit the NcaaHockey.com page, and gain access to all the latest news, scores, highlights, and more. The downside is that this is another website that’s heavily reliant on technology. If you’re looking for a more traditional experience, you might want to consider one of the other options below.
RazorSports.com
RazorSports.com is a bit like an older brother to the NcaaHockey website. It’s owned by ESPN, but it has a very different offering. Instead of focusing on the latest news, highlights, and scores, the RazorSports website is all about the fans. That means lots of great content, but also a site that’s often buggy and slow. Still, if you’re a fan of the NCAA and are looking for a place to follow the entire season, this is the website for you.
One of the things that make the NCAA so special is that it’s one of the only sporting organizations that allows fans to get in touch with the players. Unlike the NFL, for example, the NCAA doesn’t require players to put their names on footballs. That means that, in theory, just about anyone could play. For those who don’t have the physique for football or hockey, there’s still a place for them in college baseball and basketball.
WatchESPN.com
If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know that ESPN owns the rights to all things College Football as well. That includes the flagship ESPN website as well as the numerous digital properties that ESPN creates. One of those is WatchESPN.com. If you’re a fan of the Big Ten, this is the website for you. It’s incredibly popular, partly because the Big Ten has one of the most exciting football fan bases in the country. If you want to get in touch with the players, take a look at the WatchESPN page. Even more interesting is that you don’t need an ESPN subscription to access the site. Simply visit watchesn.com, and you’ll be able to see all the latest news, scores, and more.
Mobile Apps
While we’re on the subject of mobile apps, it’s important to point out that the NCAA makes it easy for fans to follow their teams on the go. Even if you don’t have a network connection, you can still get the games. This is made possible by the college hockey website, along with mobile apps powered by Maxflax. If you have Maxflax, simply go to the NCAA app, log in with your ESPN account, and you’re good to go.
If you haven’t heard of Maxflax, it’s time to learn more. The company specializes in the development of mobile apps for sports leagues and organizations. Many of the biggest organizations in the world use their services, including the MLB, the NBA, the NHL, and the NCAA. Maxflax also has an app for college football fans, which means that even those who aren’t aware of the Big Ten could potentially find themselves following Michigan, Penn State, or Ohio State via mobile app.
Pay-Per-View
Pay-per-view is when you pay for a certain event or match in advance. Since it’s 2014, pay-per-view is how you follow the NHL. If you want to watch the Blackhawks play the Blues next Wednesday, you’ll need to pay for the right to do so. As exciting as the upcoming season of NCAA hockey is, it’s also slightly more expensive. Typically, you’ll need to pay at least $60 for hockey, $50 for baseball, and $40 for basketball.
Aside from the cable or satellite TV packages you might already have, the other option is to sign up with a VPN. The best VPNs will protect your personal information from being hacked, while also allowing you to access all the content you want. When it comes to the NCAA, your best bet is to sign up for a reputable VPN service, like NordVPN. You can easily connect to them through the MyVPN app, click here to visit the NordVPN site, and get the code for your device. Make sure to read the terms of service and privacy policy before you start using their service. This is especially important if you’re planning on using their app, as they might collect some data about you while you’re using it.
How Do I Watch The NHL Finals?
If you’re in the United States and haven’t obtained the MLB TV package, you’ll need to look into other options. Typically, FOX and ESPN will show the Stanley Cup finals in HD, while other networks might only show them in standard definition. That means you might need to resort to pay-per-view or a VPN to get HD content. In general, the best option for hockey fans is to obtain the MLB TV package. It’s the perfect alternative in case you don’t want to spend $60 on a game that might not be in HD.
The National League and the American League will each play a 3-game series in the Fall Classic. That means that, for the first time ever, the World Series will be played in the winter.
Still haven’t found an option that suits your needs? Don’t worry, keep looking. The truth is that, as exciting as the upcoming season of NCAA hockey is, it’s also slightly more expensive. We hope we were able to help you find the best way to follow your favorite teams.