Re: Frozen Four Finalists for 2015-2018
It'd be a shame if they didn't bring it back to Boston. Chicago would make a great FF host city given its central location and accessibility, and abundance of sightseeing, lodging and food/drink establishments. Ditto w/ going back to D.C.
Brooklyn is an intriguing option simply b/c it's NYC, although it remains to be seen how the sightlines are once Barclays Center is configured for hockey upon the Islanders' move.
Boston, Chicago, D.C. and St. Paul would be my choices.
That's a nice list. I'd be pleased with that group, or any of them individually. Like Priceless, I'm hoping we can get back to Tampa. But that's not to say that I'm rooting against any of the cities in your group of four.
A few words on Boston: IF, repeat IF, the NCAA and the TD Garden people can resolve their differences, then Boston is an easy first choice. But I'll believe it when I see it. Importantly, I believe that Boston should be subject to the same requirements as every other application. At the top of my personal list is the number of tickets in the public lottery. Further, those tickets should be in roughly comparable locations as those offered by the other aspiring hosts. That was most certainly not the case in 2004. No applicant should be "above the law," not even one of college hockey's hotbeds.
Sigh; here we go again. Apologies to longtime posters; I'll try not to go on too long this time.
Columbus is a great place to live. I didn't grow up here; I chose Columbus and am pleased with the choice. I didn't transplant from the East Coast, but I know many people who did. Invariably they say their quality of life improved considerably with the move, in terms of better housing, less commute time and other amenities. We simply aren't the rust belt community you imagine.
Further, Nationwide Arena, along with the Arena District, would be a perfect fit for a Frozen Four. Hotels, Restaurants, Pubs? They're not just within easy walking distance, they're immediately adjacent. The rink itself is state of the art, and built specifically for hockey. Prices here are relatively affordable, and Central Ohio is within reasonable driving distance of a good percentage of the college hockey world.
What we lack is a list of nationally famous tourist sites. Some, including locals, have called us the Anti-New York; meaning that it's a great place to live but you wouldn't want to visit. I accept that, and to a point embrace it. But I strongly believe that anyone can have a great four day weekend here
if they come with an open mind.
Let me say this. For those who make the Frozen Four a full week vacation, I can understand why they'd prefer other cities on the list. If that's where you're coming from, I respect that. But for those coming mostly for the hockey, and looking to keep the trip relatively affordable, Nationwide Arena would be great.
I'm under no illusions here. I'm sure the Columbus bid is a long shot, and I don't really have a problem with that. I've had a great time in the more touristy destinations like DC and Tampa, and would be thrilled to go back to either city. At the same time, I do get discouraged when we have these conversations and so many seem to argue that the tourist angle is the only variable that matters.
