Sacred Heart 2019-20

[iowabasedtraveler]

Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

Congrats indeed (from a Colgate season ticket holder).
Exciting to see Atlantic Hockey and it’s teams not just survive, but truly thrive!!

[Sean Pickett]

Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

I am not a Sacred Heart fan, but I would be surprised if a school the size of SHU would have undertaken such a project without an ambition to join Hockey East. As for the low attendance, I would wonder whether moving the games out of Bridgeport and back on campus would have an immediate impact.

It did for Bentley. The season before three seasons ago their average attendance was 525 and two seasons ago in the 12 games at the JAR before they opened their new rink the average attendance had dropped to 365. Last season their average attendance was 1,131 (including 3 quarterfinal playoffs games - the average was 1,267 for the 18 regular season games) and for this season teh average has been 1,368 to date. However, Sacred Heart is planning to build a 4,000 seat arena while Bentley planned and built a rink with a capacity of 2,207 (1,917 seats plus standing room). Building an arena that size is what makes people think they are looking at a possible move to Hockey East or the ECAC (if an opening becomes available). And with a women's team that the school appears to finally be fully supporting they would be positioned have both teams make a move (and which I believe is a requirement to join the ECAC).

Sean

[CU13]

Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

WOW! I am very impressed with your team! Very fast and talented! Congratulations on the tourney! I have no doubt you will be playing well into March!
Colgate fan

[Leather Lungs]

Has there been any talk of Sacred Heart switching conferences to ECAC or Hockey East?

The minute an AHA team does well the talk turns to how soon can they ditch the AHA. Don't be another Merrimack.

[Sean Pickett]

Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

The minute an AHA team does well the talk turns to how soon can they ditch the AHA. Don't be another Merrimack.

As I stated, it is the announced arena size that is causing the talk more than Sacred Heart doing well. And the school may see a 4,000 seat arena as an opportunity to book music acts and events looking for that size venue in the Bridgeport market. I have no idea if any other similar size venues currently exist or are planned for the market, but that could have played a factor in the size. However, the announced size would also fit into the ECAC or Hockey East.

What other AHA teams have been talked about leaving the AHA? As for Merrimack they were never in the AHA and they moved from DII directly to Hockey East without the school support that Sacred Heart is now giving their hockey programs.

Sean

[Leather Lungs]

What other AHA teams have been talked about leaving the AHA? As for Merrimack they were never in the AHA and they moved from DII directly to Hockey East without the school support that Sacred Heart is now giving their hockey programs.

Sean

No teams that I'm aware of, but Holy Cross and Bentley both have vocal fanbases that see their schools as Hockey East caliber institutions. RIT fans think they belong in the ECAC. Fans of the other western schools have kicked around the idea of a Great Lakes centric conference. Only Army, Air Force, and AIC fans appear to be content.

I only brought up Merrimack as a way to illustrate the future that awaits any Atlantic team joining Hockey East, i.e. a second punching bag. Ironically, the better example is Quinnipiac. Sure, they ditched the AHA, but they've also decided being a big fish in the ECAC pond is preferable to the shark infested waters of Hockey East with it's state school giants and a Power 5 school. Oh, and BU.

Atlantic Hockey is clearly improving. Everyone is probably better off just staying put and continuing that project.

[LTI Alum]

Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

I'm thinking of going to next Tuesday's game in Springfield. 1st place on the line. Anyone have advice on parking at the Mass Mutual Center?
I hope the Pioneers can keep up the good play after 9 days off.

[Leather Lungs]

I'm thinking of going to next Tuesday's game in Springfield. 1st place on the line. Anyone have advice on parking at the Mass Mutual Center?
I hope the Pioneers can keep up the good play after 9 days off.

The MGM parking garage is free, clean, safe, and a short walk to the MMC. You can even cut through the casino.

[LTI Alum]

The MGM parking garage is free, clean, safe, and a short walk to the MMC. You can even cut through the casino.

Thanks for the tip.

[AMC]

Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

SHU in the New York Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/30/s...key-arena.html

[CLKHockey]

Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

Clarkson Forward Adam Tisdale reportedly transferring to SHU. They are getting a really good player here. He was/is poised to have a great year.