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Best Rinks in college hockey
- Thread starter NMUFAN21
- Start date
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
That would fall under the general "historic arenas." Not specifically mentioned, but a given.
That would fall under the general "historic arenas." Not specifically mentioned, but a given.
Blackheart
Unbeatable in Sega's NHL 94
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
1 Old Ralph
2 New Ralph
3 Ralph East (Mariucci)
1 Old Ralph
2 New Ralph
3 Ralph East (Mariucci)
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
You spelled "Wannabe Poor Man's Xcel Energy Center" wrong in your second entry.
You spelled "Wannabe Poor Man's Xcel Energy Center" wrong in your second entry.
Blackheart
Unbeatable in Sega's NHL 94
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
We are. And I just stated that the new Ralph is really trying to be the X, and fails.
Oh, I thought we were talking college rinks?
We are. And I just stated that the new Ralph is really trying to be the X, and fails.
dxmnkd316
Lucia Apologist
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
His assertion that new maroosh is just ralph east is a play on marriucci west from years ago. No dominance like that in the current era.
His assertion that new maroosh is just ralph east is a play on marriucci west from years ago. No dominance like that in the current era.
Blackheart
Unbeatable in Sega's NHL 94
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
We'll have to agree to disagree. Love the X but don't really compare the 2...
We'll have to agree to disagree. Love the X but don't really compare the 2...
dxmnkd316
Lucia Apologist
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
You're joking right?
Although I suppose because REA falls far short.
You're joking right?
Although I suppose because REA falls far short.
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
I know that much, hence my avoidance of reference to his third entry.
First (and only) time I have been (and ever will be) at the new Ralph was last year. I expected a really nice arena (which I got). Didn't expect the obvious attempt at re-creating the X. They really want you to feel that you are at a pro arena. Sorry, that's not college hockey. I like my one-tier, high rising seats, hostile atmosphere. Well, okay, you got one out of the three.
I know that much, hence my avoidance of reference to his third entry.
First (and only) time I have been (and ever will be) at the new Ralph was last year. I expected a really nice arena (which I got). Didn't expect the obvious attempt at re-creating the X. They really want you to feel that you are at a pro arena. Sorry, that's not college hockey. I like my one-tier, high rising seats, hostile atmosphere. Well, okay, you got one out of the three.
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Apparently there are fools, damn fools, and UND fans.
Apparently there are fools, damn fools, and UND fans.
sterlippo1
Well-known member
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Hockey East has some pretty nice arenas if Conte Forum is in the middle of the pack...........which i don't disagree with . i have not been to Alfond, so i'll reserve judgement until i have.......
Hockey East has some pretty nice arenas if Conte Forum is in the middle of the pack...........which i don't disagree with . i have not been to Alfond, so i'll reserve judgement until i have.......
unhpuckfan2001
Local Fire Extinguisher
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
The question with this practically yearly thread is: what do you want, luxury, or loud?
For luxury, I don't see anybody better than BU's fancy Agganis Arena. It's the newest in Hockey East by quite a bit. But is that what college hockey is all about?* But I don't find it feels like a college hockey game there, too often; it feels like you're in a professional setting. I like freezing my a** off, having opposing fans yell at me, and having the band play as loud as they can regardless of tuning.
For atmosphere, student involvement, and fans proximity to the ice (which is what epitomizes college hockey for me) the best arenas are Lynah, Matthews, and the Alfond. I've always enjoyed Lawler Rink (Merrimack) because it's so small -- and now, their fans are really into the games, too (they boast something like 70% of their student body attends . . .) The Alfond, structurally, is a dump. They'll sell you a ticket for $25 but you won't be able to see 1/3 of the ice, or the scoreboard, etc etc . . . but go up there for a game when UNH is in town, and it's still one of the best places to see a game.
This thread needs another mention of just how great Matthews Arena is. Kudos to whoever designed the renevations - they kept the old-time barn feeling, with the balconies hanging over the ice, while giving it a major upgrade, comfort wise. I haven't been to Conte Forum in a while, but always thought the sightlines left something to be desired. I don't like the gap between the front row and the glass - I like to be right up on the action.
*I've never been to the REA, or any arena out that way, so I really can't comment.
The question with this practically yearly thread is: what do you want, luxury, or loud?
For luxury, I don't see anybody better than BU's fancy Agganis Arena. It's the newest in Hockey East by quite a bit. But is that what college hockey is all about?* But I don't find it feels like a college hockey game there, too often; it feels like you're in a professional setting. I like freezing my a** off, having opposing fans yell at me, and having the band play as loud as they can regardless of tuning.
For atmosphere, student involvement, and fans proximity to the ice (which is what epitomizes college hockey for me) the best arenas are Lynah, Matthews, and the Alfond. I've always enjoyed Lawler Rink (Merrimack) because it's so small -- and now, their fans are really into the games, too (they boast something like 70% of their student body attends . . .) The Alfond, structurally, is a dump. They'll sell you a ticket for $25 but you won't be able to see 1/3 of the ice, or the scoreboard, etc etc . . . but go up there for a game when UNH is in town, and it's still one of the best places to see a game.
This thread needs another mention of just how great Matthews Arena is. Kudos to whoever designed the renevations - they kept the old-time barn feeling, with the balconies hanging over the ice, while giving it a major upgrade, comfort wise. I haven't been to Conte Forum in a while, but always thought the sightlines left something to be desired. I don't like the gap between the front row and the glass - I like to be right up on the action.
*I've never been to the REA, or any arena out that way, so I really can't comment.
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jdevoejr
New member
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
I'm not necesarily looking for luxury but I agree Agannis is nice. Parking can be a problem. Conte has great scoreboards and is good as long as you're in the red seats. The bench seats suck. As for the first row being away from the ice, agreed but who wants to be in the first row anyway. Matthews is by far the best for sight lines and old time feel. Not a bad seat in the house. Concessions could use an upgrade though. I'm not sure why people have a problem with Mullins. Very comfortable seats and good sight lines. Also, I always get lots of laughs while I'm threre. It really is so entertaining listening to the most ignorant fans in hockey. Wow, are they dumb! Lawler is gross! Many local high schools play in better facilities. Concessions, rest rooms, seating, not enough of any. Put the scoreboard back out on the little league field. Whatever they spend on upgrades is wasted. A new building is badly needed at Merrimack.
I'm not necesarily looking for luxury but I agree Agannis is nice. Parking can be a problem. Conte has great scoreboards and is good as long as you're in the red seats. The bench seats suck. As for the first row being away from the ice, agreed but who wants to be in the first row anyway. Matthews is by far the best for sight lines and old time feel. Not a bad seat in the house. Concessions could use an upgrade though. I'm not sure why people have a problem with Mullins. Very comfortable seats and good sight lines. Also, I always get lots of laughs while I'm threre. It really is so entertaining listening to the most ignorant fans in hockey. Wow, are they dumb! Lawler is gross! Many local high schools play in better facilities. Concessions, rest rooms, seating, not enough of any. Put the scoreboard back out on the little league field. Whatever they spend on upgrades is wasted. A new building is badly needed at Merrimack.
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FlagDUDE08
Banned
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Parking is going to be a problem for a lot of rinks unless you arrive early. I don't know if you can necessarily factor that in unless there's a location that does an exceptional job with not only parking, but traffic control.
Personally, I like the barns over the bowl arenas. No offense to the upgraded WCHA facilities, but seeing as how college hockey is so niche, I would much rather an old-style barn with modern upgrades that keep up with the times.
Parking is going to be a problem for a lot of rinks unless you arrive early. I don't know if you can necessarily factor that in unless there's a location that does an exceptional job with not only parking, but traffic control.
Personally, I like the barns over the bowl arenas. No offense to the upgraded WCHA facilities, but seeing as how college hockey is so niche, I would much rather an old-style barn with modern upgrades that keep up with the times.
bigblue_dl
Armed
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
I've never seen so many ways to spell "Ralph Engelstad Arena"!
I've never seen so many ways to spell "Ralph Engelstad Arena"!
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Ingalls rink home of the Yale bulldogs. The amazing thing is that the rink was built in 1969. I have been in alot of northeast rinks and have not found a better one to watch a game. Being a student of building construction due to my job (Fire Chief/Marshal) I still am not sure how they poured the large concrete arch which holds the whole thing up. the roof is actually rests upon one inch cables which strtch from the arch to the ground. Saarinen also designed the famous Arch in St. Louis.
The sightlines are unmatched, photos of the redeication last March.
Ingalls rink home of the Yale bulldogs. The amazing thing is that the rink was built in 1969. I have been in alot of northeast rinks and have not found a better one to watch a game. Being a student of building construction due to my job (Fire Chief/Marshal) I still am not sure how they poured the large concrete arch which holds the whole thing up. the roof is actually rests upon one inch cables which strtch from the arch to the ground. Saarinen also designed the famous Arch in St. Louis.
The sightlines are unmatched, photos of the redeication last March.
Blackheart
Unbeatable in Sega's NHL 94
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey
Which are you?
Which are you?