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Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Fishman'81 said:
The seating isn't very good, as you say, and the attendance will be dismal if Maine isn't there.

Perhaps this will be a more pertinent topic if Maine wins a road game, or two.
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yeah, the place sucks (they should have built a new arena instead), but regional attendance has been pretty poor in general lately. I think it would do okay compared to other locations even if Maine wasn't there as long as there was at least one other New England school (sell out if Maine is there)

Maine is going to be hosting the Ice Breaker at the CCCC in 2015 and they are hoping that goes well to show Portland would be a viable location. I believe Maine and the CC bid on the 2005 Northeast regional, which was awarded to UMass and held at the Mullins Center. I think Portland would be a superior location, even though the arena is not that great. The major problem was the CC had five locker rooms, but two are owned by the Pirates, leaving only three for four tournament teams. Now the CC will have eight locker rooms total.

I'd probably go to a regional there even if Maine wasn't in the tournament just to show my support for Portland as a host city, to Maine as a host school, and just to enjoy some NCAA tournament hockey close to home.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

AMC said:
The arena is still going to be a dump. They changed absolutely nothing about the horrific seating.
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What exactly is "horrific" about the seating? There are no bad sightlines or obstructed view seats. You're not sitting on wooden benches. Seating was the least of the problems there.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Don't get me wrong, I think the CC sucks too. The renovation is putting lipstick on a pig. Should've torn it down and built a new venue. However, my main point on hosting the regional is fans would have an overall better experience with the easy walking access to everything, great food and drink, choice of 7 great hotels all within walking distance. Because of those reasons I think attnd would be greater than other locations even if Maine wasn't in it. Heck of alot easier to convince the wife and/or family to go to Portland, Me with the shopping, eating etc as opposed to Worcester Ma. And after the word spreads about what a great overall experience it is then attendance wouldn't be an issue no matter who was playing.
 
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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Fishman'81 said:
The seating isn't very good, as you say, and the attendance will be dismal if Maine isn't there.
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I disagree with that line of thinking. Portland is easily accessible by road and by air. It's a 90 minute straight shot up I-95 from Boston and the Jetport is served by every major airline. In addition, Portland has become a very attractive city for visitors over the past decade and there are 2 or 3 hotels under construction within walking distance of the Civic Center in addition to the ones that have opened over the past decade. Add in the pent up demand for the casual UM or regular hockey fan to see NCAA Regional hockey within the State of Maine.......I think that the place sells out whether Maine is in it or not.
 
umhockey91 said:
I disagree with that line of thinking. Portland is easily accessible by road and by air. It's a 90 minute straight shot up I-95 from Boston and the Jetport is served by every major airline. In addition, Portland has become a very attractive city for visitors over the past decade and there are 2 or 3 hotels under construction within walking distance of the Civic Center in addition to the ones that have opened over the past decade. Add in the pent up demand for the casual UM or regular hockey fan to see NCAA Regional hockey within the State of Maine.......I think that the place sells out whether Maine is in it or not.
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The Old Port is a lot of fun but it's a lot more fun in the summer than in March. Also, I don't know how fast you drive but there is zero chance you can get from Boston to Portland in 90 minutes. I make the drive a lot and it's 2 hours.

I'd rather see the regional in Portland than Worcester or Bridgeport but let's stick to facts.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

CollegeHockeyRinkReport said:
The Old Port is a lot of fun but it's a lot more fun in the summer than in March. Also, I don't know how fast you drive but there is zero chance you can get from Boston to Portland in 90 minutes. I make the drive a lot and it's 2 hours.

I'd rather see the regional in Portland than Worcester or Bridgeport but let's stick to facts.
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I drive from Peabody, MA past Portland every week.........it takes me about 1 hour, 20 minutes. So add on another 20-30 minutes if you must. But yes.......let's stick to facts.......it's an easy 2 hour drive from DOWNTOWN Boston. Somehow I don't think that a 2 hour drive over a 1.5 hour drive to Portland is going to be deal breaker........do you? And does every college hockey fan in Massachusetts live in Downtown Boston?:rolleyes:
 
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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Cheerist, I think you can take a bus or the amtrak from Boston to Portland and back for like 35 bucks a head roundtrip....you cant hardly drive cheaper unless its a family affair ,and if everything is within walking distance of the CCCC, who needs transportation when you get here ? I think it'd be a great experience for everyone. We took a lobster boat tour this summer in Portland harbor with my folks for the helluvit and the whole boat was filled with people from out west who had made Portland their destination. With the mega cruise ships landing there now, and the Downeaster and all and the jetport, its quickly becoming a destination spot for people who want a coastal experience in a smaller city feel.

I think you have a regional here it would surpise a lot of people how good the attendance would be, both locally and from away.
 
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Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

all bear said:
Cheerist, I think you can take a bus or the amtrak from Boston to Portland and back for like 35 bucks a head roundtrip....you cant hardly drive cheaper unless its a family affair ,and if everything is within walking distance of the CCCC, who needs transportation when you get here ? I think it'd be a great experience for everyone. We took a lobster boat tour this summer in Portland harbor with my folks for the helluvit and the whole boat was filled with people from out west who had made Portland their destination. With the mega cruise ships landing there now, and the Downeaster and all and the jetport, its quickly becoming a destination spot for people who want a coastal experience in a smaller city feel.

I think you have a regional here it would surpise a lot of people how good the attendance would be, both locally and from away.
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People outside of New England appreciate Portland and the State of Maine much more than those that live in the region do. Whether Portland gets an NCAA Hockey Regional or not.......the city is on its way up. The Regional is much more important to cities like Worcester, Manchester and Bridgeport.......cities that practically have to beg people to visit them.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

If Maine were in the regional at Portland it would draw, anything less fans won’t turn out, period. Otherwise it would be like any other venue, more than half empty. Hockey fans don’t attend regionals and won’t unless they have a dog in the fight. Fans hold off hoping their teams make it to the Frozen Four.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

How does everyone see the weekend series going?

Fri - ND 3 Maine 1
Sat - Maine 4 ND 2
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Pucknut said:
If Maine were in the regional at Portland it would draw, anything less fans won’t turn out, period. Otherwise it would be like any other venue, more than half empty. Hockey fans don’t attend regionals and won’t unless they have a dog in the fight. Fans hold off hoping their teams make it to the Frozen Four.
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Oh I don't know. I bet that UML fans would make the short trip to Portland, UNH fans, BC, BU, Northeastern, Harvard, and many others would make the short trip. They have to try something new.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Pucknut said:
If Maine were in the regional at Portland it would draw, anything less fans won’t turn out, period. Otherwise it would be like any other venue, more than half empty. Hockey fans don’t attend regionals and won’t unless they have a dog in the fight. Fans hold off hoping their teams make it to the Frozen Four.
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I'd go to a regional in Portland without a dog in the fight before I'd pick up and drive to Bridgeport or Albany or Woostah. Even Manchester. But then again, it's like an hour from me. But the Old Port right out the door would make that a swell time regardless, closest experience I could compare it to would be the 2000 final in Providence or maybe Lake Placid in 1988. Would be just a big street party, unlike Woostah or Albany where the downtown is a ghost town other than right at game time.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

CollegeHockeyRinkReport said:
The Old Port is a lot of fun but it's a lot more fun in the summer than in March. Also, I don't know how fast you drive but there is zero chance you can get from Boston to Portland in 90 minutes. I make the drive a lot and it's 2 hours.

I'd rather see the regional in Portland than Worcester or Bridgeport but let's stick to facts.
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I've done my house (right in Portland) to the Gahdin in 90- 95 min many times. Barring rush hour, snow storm etc.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Anyone (one of the lurkers?) crazy enough / retired enough to be heading out to South Bend? I have to work tomorrow, so I won't be getting there until gametime, but I could go for a pint or two before Saturday.

No specific predictions. I have a good feeling about streaks, and ends of streaks. Knock on wood.
 
Re: Maine Hockey 2013-2014 - Red Light District

Hockeyman99 said:
Oh I don't know. I bet that UML fans would make the short trip to Portland, UNH fans, BC, BU, Northeastern, Harvard, and many others would make the short trip. They have to try something new.
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UML fan, can confirm. While Manchester is closer, I love Portland.
 
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