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Best Rinks in college hockey

Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

The reporter from the Omaha World Herald is quite complimentary of The Ralph
The new Engelstad Arena is an amazing barn, to say the least. It had been eight years since I saw a game in Grand Forks, and it hasn't lost it's mind-blowing impressiveness. I can't imagine a UND fan ever going to another hockey arena and having a reaction other than "meh." I wonder, too, how many UND players who go on to the NHL realize they had the nicer home digs in college.
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Also, in Omaha arena news...

Per UND hockey beat writer Brad Schlossman:
Word is that several administrators from Omaha will be in Grand Forks for the series, checking things out. Since Omaha is looking to soon build its own rink, they might get some ideas from REA. I believe that athletic director Trev Alberts and administrator and former hockey coach Mike Kemp will be among those visiting.
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Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

i'd love to visit REA but for at least for tonight, the best one is Conte Forum because i'm headed there now, GO EAGLES!
 
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

You really need to be more specific with this question. "Best" for what? Pure ice quality? Fan involvement/support? Pure facilities (enough restrooms; room to sit/move; concessions; etc)?

I've been to every DI rink except for three (UN-O, UM-L, HC), including some now defunct programs (Wayne St men, Findlay, Fairfield) and including the old Goggin @ Miami, Syracuse women, and the old Dane County Colliseum @ Wisconsin.

For non-facility opinions, it matters greatly whether the students are there (games over Thanksgiving/Christmas suffer); whether the opponent is a rival or a NC game; whether the team sux that year or excells; and even the weather outside.

So what are your criteria for "best"?
 
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

Great video of REA from the Gopher series:

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19074170" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/19074170">Border War</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3508912">Christian Begeman</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
 
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

I'd have to go with the Lumberdome, even if it has a too much of a coprorate feel to it.
 
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

My first post in here..

I've taken the oportunity to get to a bunch of the HEA (and area) rinks over the past year or two. Probably my favorite part of being a fan of Hockey East, I can get to a lot of the away rinks and I'm hoping to get to all of them within a year or two.

Agganis - They have beer, nice concessions/bathrooms, not THE most convenient but well worth the trip. Good pre and postgame opportunities nearby.
Conte - Feels the most like a "pro" rink for sure with the videoboards, etc. Good band. Upper level can seem a bit far from the action. Fans show out but aren't the loudest.
Lawler - Someone in a UML thread described it as "Gentrifying" - I think this is accurate. Used to be a paint factory, now working on assembling the Ikea furniture to fix it up. Cheap tix, and you're right on top of the show too.
Tsongas - Haven't been for a game yet, but it seems like a decent facility, when it comes to shows at least
Whit - Probably my favorite so far, it just feels big, the fans are the most passionate I have seem to date

Bright center (Harvard) - Good mix of modern ameneties and old time hockey intimacy. Also, being right next to Harvard Square is good.

Planning to hit the whit again, NEU and PC this year. Also want to go to Manchester NH for the NE regionals (Have been to that rink, it's nice!)
 
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Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

glazewsr said:
You really need to be more specific with this question. "Best" for what? Pure ice quality? Fan involvement/support? Pure facilities (enough restrooms; room to sit/move; concessions; etc)?

I've been to every DI rink except for three (UN-O, UM-L, HC), including some now defunct programs (Wayne St men, Findlay, Fairfield) and including the old Goggin @ Miami, Syracuse women, and the old Dane County Colliseum @ Wisconsin.

For non-facility opinions, it matters greatly whether the students are there (games over Thanksgiving/Christmas suffer); whether the opponent is a rival or a NC game; whether the team sux that year or excells; and even the weather outside.

So what are your criteria for "best"?
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I think overall experience is what people are looking for on here. Citing "best" based upon specific criteria will result in us picking several different rinks.
 
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

SteveP said:
We have a name! No big surprise. :)
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I think "The House That Fracking Built" is much better. "Frack Central" ... "Fracking Rink" ... "The Frack Bowl" ... "Flaming Faucets Rink" ... "Frack Daddy's House" ...

I got a million suggestions along those lines.
 
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

The UND TV station did a short profile of Ralph Engelstad Arena

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FKbgfGRYsWU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Re: Best Rinks in college hockey

h_footer.gif



Too bad we can't get the picture on it's own without the caption....

http://www.augenblick.org/rpi/h_footer.gif
 
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