2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

[SteveO]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

Denver is playing very good playoff hockey now. Over the past 6 games (5-1) since the NCHC tourney-4 and regionals-2 they've held opponents to a GA/GP of 1.0. They were swept during the season by SCSU (1), Western Michigan (13) and unranked Colorado College, but came back and mauled CC 6-1 in the NCHC tourney. But their PP is dismal at 15%. UMass is better in almost every stats category. If Den. can play a disciplined, defensive game they'll defeat UMass and move onto the championship game. If they get there, IMO they bag their 9th and go ape****.

 

[Hoover]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

lol. What a disaster. Even the Canucks won’t come.

I'll be there to represent the Great White North!

I do agree that attendance might not be impressive this year. I know the Canalside/Inner Harbor area has been transformed and rejuvenated in recent years, but Buffalo isn't seen as a "cool place to go" by most of us north of the border (especially in April). I go to the Frozen Four each year for the hockey and to see friends who share common interests. I also enjoy meeting others who are fans of college hockey and are passionate about the school they cheer for. The host city is irrelevant to me, and I always find things to see and do over the course of the weekend. This year I'll be driving down for the games on Thursday/Saturday rather than paying inflated hotel rates in a city I'm not interested in seeing as a tourist.

For years I've been trying to convince friends up here of the quality of NCAA hockey, but I've had little to no impact on getting anyone interested enough to attend a Frozen Four - even one just a couple of hours away!

 

[UMD21]

This will be the least attended frozen four.

I do worry about it. Buffalo is so small it’s pretty much a 7+ hour flight from Denver with layovers and that’s a good case scenario. Booking last minute gets you stuck more in the 10-15 hour range with many layovers. I want to support my team but devoting 4 days, Thursday-Sunday is quite a lot to ask. And if Dogs bow out on Thursday it’s not like I’ll just easily hop on a flight back home friday... so torn but it’s not looking ideal. Never missed a UMD frozen four in my life this will likely be the first. But if they go to the championship i might have to

 

[West Texas Wolverine]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

Clearly, PU will get their desevrings.

I'm glad it's not November any more, because championchips are not won in November!

 

[West Texas Wolverine]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

I won't be attending this year, but I'm gathering good tourist advice for next year's Men's D-III Frozen Four in Buffalo. So, thanks for the tips!

Curling lessons are already on the agenda.

 

[BlackI]

I do worry about it. Buffalo is so small it’s pretty much a 7+ hour flight from Denver with layovers and that’s a good case scenario. Booking last minute gets you stuck more in the 10-15 hour range with many layovers. I want to support my team but devoting 4 days, Thursday-Sunday is quite a lot to ask. And if Dogs bow out on Thursday it’s not like I’ll just easily hop on a flight back home friday... so torn but it’s not looking ideal. Never missed a UMD frozen four in my life this will likely be the first. But if they go to the championship i might have to

Cannot blame you there. But part of me wants to convince you to go because there was a time when Maine would regularly play in big games... evaporated now. I would fly from Boston through Beijing to Buffalo to see my Blackbears in a frozen four again.

 

[BlackI]

I'll be there to represent the Great White North!

I do agree that attendance might not be impressive this year. I know the Canalside/Inner Harbor area has been transformed and rejuvenated in recent years, but Buffalo isn't seen as a "cool place to go" by most of us north of the border (especially in April). I go to the Frozen Four each year for the hockey and to see friends who share common interests. I also enjoy meeting others who are fans of college hockey and are passionate about the school they cheer for. The host city is irrelevant to me, and I always find things to see and do over the course of the weekend. This year I'll be driving down for the games on Thursday/Saturday rather than paying inflated hotel rates in a city I'm not interested in seeing as a tourist.

For years I've been trying to convince friends up here of the quality of NCAA hockey, but I've had little to no impact on getting anyone interested enough to attend a Frozen Four - even one just a couple of hours away!

You, my friend, are a great hockey fan and more than likely a better neighbor.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

For sure! Ill probably alternate wings and beef between breakfast lunch dinner.

I’d probably throw in some antacid to be on the safe side.

 

[Bruin]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

Now that the regionals are complete with 3 of the last 4 NCAA Champions returning, it’s time for the following questions to be answered:

Can Providence prove that they truly belonged by winning it all outside of New England?

...

Yes, because winning in2015 in Boston, against Boston University, was a breeze due to the presence of 16,000 Friar fans in the arena.

In case they win it (unlikely but possible), what will they have to prove next? That they can win it all in the West?

 

[Hoover]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

You, my friend, are a great hockey fan and more than likely a better neighbor.

Thanks for the kind words!

I agree with you - I'd love to see Maine back in a FF and would go to almost any lengths to make sure I could be there. I grew up in Southern New Brunswick and followed the Black Bears (usually on WLBZ Channel 2) from a young age. Even though I'm near Toronto now, I still follow Maine very closely, usually going to Orono or a road weekend series each year. I was in Boston in 2015 to see Providence win, so I guess this year I'll be rooting for UMass to give Hockey East another National Champion.

As long as the games are good, I leave the arena entertained, and I enjoy the company of old and new friends I'll consider the weekend in Buffalo worth attending.

 

[NorthMike]

Thanks for the kind words!

I agree with you - I'd love to see Maine back in a FF and would go to almost any lengths to make sure I could be there. I grew up in Southern New Brunswick and followed the Black Bears (usually on WLBZ Channel 2) from a young age. Even though I'm near Toronto now, I still follow Maine very closely, usually going to Orono or a road weekend series each year. I was in Boston in 2015 to see Providence win, so I guess this year I'll be rooting for UMass to give Hockey East another National Champion.

As long as the games are good, I leave the arena entertained, and I enjoy the company of old and new friends I'll consider the weekend in Buffalo worth attending.

Im not holding out for Maine to get there anytime soon. Im in northern Maine but still going to Buff without any horse in the race. Less stress that way! Looking forward to the hockey and experience.

Buffalo is actually a good place as far as Im concerned for the frozen 4. Have spent lots of time there. Oh its not a destination city or anything but still has some good blue collar features. Planning on good hockey and adjusting the other expectations to match the availabilities.

 

[pc88]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

I see people writing off the Friars. All their games with UMass were tight and you could argue that Providence outplayed UMass outside of a couple of bad mistakes in the first two losses. They also had a good series with Denver at Denver where they lost one and tied. I think this is a pretty evenly matched frozen four


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[Hoover]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

Im not holding out for Maine to get there anytime soon. Im in northern Maine but still going to Buff without any horse in the race. Less stress that way! Looking forward to the hockey and experience.

Buffalo is actually a good place as far as Im concerned for the frozen 4. Have spent lots of time there. Oh its not a destination city or anything but still has some good blue collar features. Planning on good hockey and adjusting the other expectations to match the availabilities.

Enjoy Buffalo!

One thing I've learned in my trips to the Frozen Four is that there are always lots of Maine fans/supporters/alumni visible in the stands. Maine is well represented even if the Black Bears aren't there.

 

[BlackI]

Thanks for the kind words!

I agree with you - I'd love to see Maine back in a FF and would go to almost any lengths to make sure I could be there. I grew up in Southern New Brunswick and followed the Black Bears (usually on WLBZ Channel 2) from a young age. Even though I'm near Toronto now, I still follow Maine very closely, usually going to Orono or a road weekend series each year. I was in Boston in 2015 to see Providence win, so I guess this year I'll be rooting for UMass to give Hockey East another National Champion.

As long as the games are good, I leave the arena entertained, and I enjoy the company of old and new friends I'll consider the weekend in Buffalo worth attending.

You may be happy to hear that next season, according to plan last I heard, Lynden Breen(St. John) will play for Maine. He will join fellow Eastern Canadian Adam Dawe(Newfoundland) whom was a freshman this season. Also in the pipeline for the future are Eastern Canadians Tim Gould(Moncton), Dallas Farrell(PEI) and Brad Morrissey(PEI).

 

[dogs2012]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

I do worry about it. Buffalo is so small it’s pretty much a 7+ hour flight from Denver with layovers and that’s a good case scenario. Booking last minute gets you stuck more in the 10-15 hour range with many layovers. I want to support my team but devoting 4 days, Thursday-Sunday is quite a lot to ask. And if Dogs bow out on Thursday it’s not like I’ll just easily hop on a flight back home friday... so torn but it’s not looking ideal. Never missed a UMD frozen four in my life this will likely be the first. But if they go to the championship i might have to

I'm running into the same situation. $700 for a flight from Minneapolis to Buffalo. Contemplating driving but it's about 16 hours one way. It's an unfortunate reality at this point.

 

[chickod]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

Yes, because winning in2015 in Boston, against Boston University, was a breeze due to the presence of 16,000 Friar fans in the arena.

Well you may think that sarcastic remark is funny, but the reality is there WERE 15,500 Friar fans. Everyone who was not a BU fan was cheering for Providence. I can absolutely vouch for that, because I was there. People think "Oh, it's in BOSTON so BU must have a huge advantage." Wrong. BU had a very small percentage of the fans at that game.

 

[Hoover]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

You may be happy to hear that next season, according to plan last I heard, Lynden Breen(St. John) will play for Maine. He will join fellow Eastern Canadian Adam Dawe(Newfoundland) whom was a freshman this season. Also in the pipeline for the future are Eastern Canadians Tim Gould(Moncton), Dallas Farrell(PEI) and Brad Morrissey(PEI).

I'm always glad to see kids from back home getting a look. I hope someday another Scott Pellerin-type player will come from the Maritimes and suit up for the Black Bears!

 

[Jon]

I'm glad it's not November any more, because championchips are not won in November!

Poles mean nothing because the new concessions at The Dumby Barn will make St, Clooud perpetually champions.

 

[Bruin]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

Well you may think that sarcastic remark is funny, but the reality is there WERE 15,500 Friar fans. Everyone who was not a BU fan was cheering for Providence. I can absolutely vouch for that, because I was there. People think "Oh, it's in BOSTON so BU must have a huge advantage." Wrong. BU had a very small percentage of the fans at that game.

I was there too. There were not 15,500 Friars fans. I wish there were, but there were not - and never will be. There were more PC fans than expected, and friends from North Dakota certainly were vocal and helpful, but to say that PC had more fans than BU, in opinion, is just ridiculous.

My comment was prompted by a ridiculous notion that PC has to prove something because they won the NC in Boston. Duluth won their only two championships in Saint Paul, yet they are "the next greatest thing in college hockey"... give a hockey team from a school with 3,800 students and the arena that is closer to a hockey barn than a good NCAA hockey arena some credit. They deserved it on the ice.

 

[chickod]

Re: 2019 Frozen Four: NCHC vs. Hockey East

I was there too. There were not 15,500 Friars fans. I wish there were, but there were not - and never will be. There were more PC fans than expected, and friends from North Dakota certainly were vocal and helpful, but to say that PC had more fans than BU, in opinion, is just ridiculous.

My comment was prompted by a ridiculous notion that PC has to prove something because they won the NC in Boston. Duluth won their only two championships in Saint Paul, yet they are "the next greatest thing in college hockey"... give a hockey team from a school with 3,800 students and the arena that is closer to a hockey barn than a good NCAA hockey arena some credit. They deserved it on the ice.

Yes, I understood why you made the comment. And my comment was a knock on the BU "fanbase" which has dwindled to almost nothing. When I said "Friar fans" I meant that ALL of the "neutral" (ok 99%) fans were rooting for Providence (or if you want to look at is as "against BU" that's fine too).