Re: 2018-2019 Ohio State Hockey! Return to the Show in Buffalo!
So isn't it about time we become a host school?
I hate to be a killjoy, but my honest answer is no. Beyond the small hardcore group, Buckeye Hockey fans aren't in the habit of traveling -- even within Ohio.
Columbus sites? The Schott is highly unlikely to considered, because it's on campus, and campus sites are politically disfavored. Nationwide would work for OSU fans. But if OSU failed to qualify, it's much too large for an NCAA Regional.
How about the Huntington Center, the Toledo Walleye's home ice?
Site of what must be the worst attended regional in NCAA hockey history. And there's a lot of competition for that "honor." No doubt the facility is nice, but the Toledo hockey community just said no.
Short version of a story I've posted before: Last time a regional was held in Toledo, I had planned to attend the Sunday championship game. For reasons I've long since forgotten, I wasn't able to travel to the Saturday semi-finals. But I did watch them on TV. It wasn't pretty. One section on the blue line had all of two fans in it. The rest of the arena wasn't much better. I was so demoralized I cancelled my trip.
The core problem was that there were no close by teams. Maybe Toledo got unusually unlucky. But no program or small group of programs can guarantee they'll be in the tournament every single year. A regional site has to be financially viable, regardless of the participating teams.
US Bank arena in Cinci is a dump.
That facility was subpar in 1996 when the FF was there. Gotta believe you're 100% right on this one.
Bigger Picture:
1. It appears that Big Ten Playoff games are well on the way to gaining acceptance in Columbus. One step at a time.
2. The next 3 Frozen Fours are all within reasonable driving distance of Columbus. We aren't getting a raw deal.