2013 Regional sites announced

[Alton]

http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/100511aaa.html

Northeast: Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH (hosted by New Hampshire)
East: Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence, RI (hosted by Brown)
Midwest: Huntington Center, Toledo, OH (hosted by Bowling Green)
West: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI (hosted by Michigan)

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Interesting. Michigan "wised up" on knowing that they weren't getting Yost bids anymore and can probably turn Van Andel into home ice against anyone else not in the state of Michigan, where it'd be neutralish and avoid having to play BC in Providence, NH in Manchester etc.

 

[Alton]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Interesting. Michigan "wised up" on knowing that they weren't getting Yost bids anymore and can probably turn Van Andel into home ice against anyone else not in the state of Michigan, where it'd be neutralish and avoid having to play BC in Providence, NH in Manchester etc.

Yep, I had the same thoughts. They submitted bids for Yost every year, and finally went with the neutral site 2+ hours away. The unfortunate situation for Michigan is that while they are hosting a regional in Grand Rapids (134 miles from Ann Arbor), there is a regional taking place in Toledo (53 miles from Ann Arbor) that would be a much easier road trip for the majority of their fans.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Love the regional in Providence. Great city. Fun places to eat and drink. Beats the hell out of Manchester, Bridgeport, Worcester and Albany.

 

[JDUBBS1280]

Interesting. Michigan "wised up" on knowing that they weren't getting Yost bids anymore and can probably turn Van Andel into home ice against anyone else not in the state of Michigan, where it'd be neutralish and avoid having to play BC in Providence, NH in Manchester etc.

NCAA is implementing a "neutral site preferred" policy moving forward.

 

[Friartown]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Thank you Brown for bringing hockey back to RI

 

[CHFAN222]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Awesome about having the regional in Providence.

This will help avoid the ugly matchup that would force HE to play UNH in virtual home games up in Manchester. Providence is also much more accesible than Manchester since people can take the commuter rail down to it. Great choice.

 

[WildShawn]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Love the regional in Providence. Great city. Fun places to eat and drink. Beats the hell out of Manchester, Bridgeport, Worcester and Albany.

City-wise, yes, but the arena is the third or 4th best on that list of 5 cities you mentioned..

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Yep, I had the same thoughts. They submitted bids for Yost every year, and finally went with the neutral site 2+ hours away. The unfortunate situation for Michigan is that while they are hosting a regional in Grand Rapids (134 miles from Ann Arbor), there is a regional taking place in Toledo (53 miles from Ann Arbor) that would be a much easier road trip for the majority of their fans.

You think if Western's any good that year and gets into Toledo we could petition the NCAA to flip locations?

 

[irishfan85]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

City-wise, yes, but the arena is the third or 4th best on that list of 5 cities you mentioned..

Are their chairs for us fans to sit in at the Dunk? Yes. The atmospheres at regionals have gotten so lame with four teams instead of six and some the stupid rules on regionalization that I don't care anymore. I'm just happy to have a regional in a cool city. You couldn't even get the bars in Worcester to turn on ESPNU. At least in Albany, Jillian's used to turn every available TV on to the other regional games.

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Great news about Providence. Long time coming for them. I really enjoy the regionals in Manch too so you have two great locations out east for 2013.

BC won't have to go west of Pittsburgh to bring home the 2013 national title.

This will help avoid the ugly matchup that would force HE to play UNH in virtual home games up in Manchester.

Ugly matchup with UNH in the NCAAs? That's beautiful to most teams. It's practically a bye.

 

[burgie12]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Ugly matchup with UNH in the NCAAs? That's beautiful to most teams. It's practically a bye.

UNH is 3-0 in first-round games over the past three seasons. Each of their opponents captured either the regular season or tournament championship for their conference (NoDak 08-09, Cornell 09-10, Miami 10-11).

 

[slurpees]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

UNH is 3-0 in first-round games over the past three seasons. Each of their opponents captured either the regular season or tournament championship for their conference (NoDak 08-09, Cornell 09-10, Miami 10-11).

And 0-3 in second round games. Has UNH ever made it to the FF out of Manchester? I can't recall it off the top of my head.

 

[Dude Love]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Everything in the eastern time zone. Figures.

 

[bronconick]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Everything in the eastern time zone. Figures.

Anyone outside of UMD with their own rink (which unsurprisingly got rejected) bid this time around?

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

UNH is 3-0 in first-round games over the past three seasons. Each of their opponents captured either the regular season or tournament championship for their conference (NoDak 08-09, Cornell 09-10, Miami 10-11).

I'll give them their North Dakota due but let's be honest, UNH (Umile), Miami (Blasi) and any ECAC team are some of the weakest NCAA performers over the last 2 decades. When you throw them into the mix vs. each other... well, someone's gotta win!

 

[SCSU Euro]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Everything in the eastern time zone. Figures.

I know... we're not even AWAKE when the early Eastern Time Zone games start.

I'll give them their North Dakota due but let's be honest, UNH (Umile), Miami (Blasi) and any ECAC team are some of the weakest NCAA performers over the last 2 decades. When you throw them into the mix vs. each other... well, someone's gotta win!

AHEM! I BELIEVE you're forgetting somebody...

 

[kdiff77]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

As a Brown fan, I'm absolutely THRILLED about the regionals coming to Providence, and it seems like most of the posters here are in favor as well. Providence is a great little city, and if you absolutely need to be in a big city, you can get to Boston for $15.50 round trip on the commuter rail. The Dunk is a terrific facility now that it's been refurbished (I haven't actually been to a hockey game there since they redid it, but I attended Providence-Syracuse basketball a couple seasons ago, before it was complete, and I was very impressed).

In all seriousness, why in the WORLD has it taken so long for the NCAA to get out of Bridgeport and Worcester, two hell-holes, in favor of a really nice city with plenty to do and that is just as accessible as the other two? It defies logic, though money probably came into play in the past.

Hopefully this can generate some interest in the local community. When the NCAA basketball tournament comes here, the city is buzzing and vibrant for the whole week. Personally, I can't WAIT for this weekend! If only Brown could somehow be involved...

 

[Gainzo]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

NCAA is implementing a "neutral site preferred" policy moving forward.

Do you have a link for that? The only reason I ask is because the Tsongas Center at UMass-Lowell would be a great venue to host regional games. Excellent arena and close to Boston.

 

[J.D.]

Re: 2013 Regional sites announced

Interesting. Michigan "wised up" on knowing that they weren't getting Yost bids anymore and can probably turn Van Andel into home ice against anyone else not in the state of Michigan, where it'd be neutralish and avoid having to play BC in Providence, NH in Manchester etc.

What about playing BC in...St. Louis?

Awesome about having the regional in Providence.

This will help avoid the ugly matchup that would force HE to play UNH in virtual home games up in Manchester.

Honest question, is this because Brown is the host and almost certain not to make it?