Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

Evidently David doesn't know, but if wT gets drunk enough you never know...

They don't sell beer anymore at the HFH.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

You'll have fun at a great old hockey rink with a packed house and a unique feel. Then you'll go to an airplane hanger where you'll be able to hear a pin drop and if you're lucky, you won't be sitting behind a pole or in a corner of the stands that extends beyond the end of the rink, but if you have an overactive bladder, you'll find sanctuary at the soulless HFH.

Seriously, I've never heard of anyone on a road trip to the capital district that preferred watching hockey at HFH to Messa Rink.

I can assure you that there are many people who prefer the HFH (which BTW was never a hangar).

The salt dome was antiquated the year that it was built.

 

[FireKnight]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

Oh, now you tell me. Here I was all excited to be visiting my first ECAC arenas. I'm also excited because after this weekend I will be half way to my goal of seeing a game in every D1 hockey arena.

So, what kind of fun things can my group do in these lovely locations? Any good places to grab a bite to eat before the game?

At risk of sounding mean, Troy and Schenectady are two of the worst cities in NY State. Last year when I went to the CCT/RPI game, I had a great meal and a few brews at O'Brien's Public House. I've yet to find a place in Schenectady worth mentioning. If you're staying in Albany, a visit to Bombers is always a good plan. As far as other things to do, I'll leave that to the locals, because I've never found anything worthwhile to do in the Capital District, except watch hockey.

The arenas, well they'll be interesting. RPI's is the largest in the ECACHL and it's an older arena. When it's packed, and I'd assume it will be for Michigan, the atmosphere can be awesome. As an older arena, don't expect much in the way of amenities. They seem to have temperature issues with their food (i.e. warm soda and cold hot dogs). The sight lines can be horrible, especially if you're in an obstructed seat. They love their hockey at the Tute, even though they produce substandard engineers.

Union's arena is similarly old and has no amenities. You'll feel like you're in a (slightly) overgrown D-3 rink. I've been to their arena probably 18 times for CCT games and it's never felt like a college hockey atmosphere to me. The first dozen or so times that I was there was before Union was good and Clarkson fans may have actually outnumbered Union fans. The past few years, they've had a lot of support but I just haven't seen the atmosphere and banter that I'm used to seeing in college hockey arenas. I'd say they're a developing fan base.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

So you all know, we are used to old rinks. Yost is the second oldest building being used for a college hockey rink. Although, it's only been used for hockey since the early 70's.

The recent renovation helps a lot, but most of us were there with the old wood benches, and the closed end feel. Used to have places with dust you could measure with a ruler.

 

[johnk]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

At risk of sounding mean, Troy and Schenectady are two of the worst cities in NY State. Last year when I went to the CCT/RPI game, I had a great meal and a few brews at O'Brien's Public House. I've yet to find a place in Schenectady worth mentioning. If you're staying in Albany, a visit to Bombers is always a good plan. As far as other things to do, I'll leave that to the locals, because I've never found anything worthwhile to do in the Capital District, except watch hockey.

The arenas, well they'll be interesting. RPI's is the largest in the ECACHL and it's an older arena. When it's packed, and I'd assume it will be for Michigan, the atmosphere can be awesome. As an older arena, don't expect much in the way of amenities. They seem to have temperature issues with their food (i.e. warm soda and cold hot dogs). The sight lines can be horrible, especially if you're in an obstructed seat. They love their hockey at the Tute, even though they produce substandard engineers.

Union's arena is similarly old and has no amenities. You'll feel like you're in a (slightly) overgrown D-3 rink. I've been to their arena probably 18 times for CCT games and it's never felt like a college hockey atmosphere to me. The first dozen or so times that I was there was before Union was good and Clarkson fans may have actually outnumbered Union fans. The past few years, they've had a lot of support but I just haven't seen the atmosphere and banter that I'm used to seeing in college hockey arenas. I'd say they're a developing fan base.

You are a flat out wrong. Stop into downtown Schenectady before or after the game. Downtown has been completely rehabbed and only to get better with the new casino going on the banks of the Mohawk River. Easily a dozen good places to eat & drink within walking distance of each other. If you stop by Katie O'Byrnes before or after the game on Friday ask for me (JK). We will have a few, especially after! Will be at both games this weekend and look forward to Michigan coming into the CD. With BU & BC in on the same weekend and now Michigan its good for this area. 2 small DIII colleges bringing this brand of hockey to this area and both expecting sellouts should be a great atmosphere. AnthonySaxe, don't know who you are talking to but Union needs a new rink badly. RPI is no palace but Union's rink is as uncomfortable as you can get. Interesting to get Michigan's fans take on this.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

So you all know, we are used to old rinks. Yost is the second oldest building being used for a college hockey rink. Although, it's only been used for hockey since the early 70's.

The recent renovation helps a lot, but most of us were there with the old wood benches, and the closed end feel. Used to have places with dust you could measure with a ruler.

Yes, and now you need to wear your sunglasses inside, instead.

I hope this trip also disproves the theory that Michigan doesn't travel for nc series, although only one game each. They are also going to Agganis later for two games.

Also, may not be a fair comparison, but going to State College for any reason is an odyssey compared to this trip.

Just part of being "The worst conference ever" I guess.

 

[FireKnight]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

Yes, and now you need to wear your sunglasses inside, instead.

I hope this trip also disproves the theory that Michigan doesn't travel for nc series, although only one game each. They are also going to Agganis later for two games.

Also, may not be a fair comparison, but going to State College for any reason is an odyssey compared to this trip.

Just part of being "The worst conference ever" I guess.

One trip won't quiet the fact that UM doesn't travel for NC series. I certainly get why they don't though.

Michigan certainly enjoyed the trip to Albany in 2008. I don't think I've ever seen such a big, physical college hockey team in person.

 

[jericho]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

At risk of sounding mean, Troy and Schenectady are two of the worst cities in NY State. Last year when I went to the CCT/RPI game, I had a great meal and a few brews at O'Brien's Public House. I've yet to find a place in Schenectady worth mentioning. If you're staying in Albany, a visit to Bombers is always a good plan. As far as other things to do, I'll leave that to the locals, because I've never found anything worthwhile to do in the Capital District, except watch hockey.

The arenas, well they'll be interesting. RPI's is the largest in the ECACHL and it's an older arena. When it's packed, and I'd assume it will be for Michigan, the atmosphere can be awesome. As an older arena, don't expect much in the way of amenities. They seem to have temperature issues with their food (i.e. warm soda and cold hot dogs). The sight lines can be horrible, especially if you're in an obstructed seat. They love their hockey at the Tute, even though they produce substandard engineers.

Union's arena is similarly old and has no amenities. You'll feel like you're in a (slightly) overgrown D-3 rink. I've been to their arena probably 18 times for CCT games and it's never felt like a college hockey atmosphere to me. The first dozen or so times that I was there was before Union was good and Clarkson fans may have actually outnumbered Union fans. The past few years, they've had a lot of support but I just haven't seen the atmosphere and banter that I'm used to seeing in college hockey arenas. I'd say they're a developing fan base.

If you can't find anything to do in the Capital District, then you aren't looking very hard. BTW, both Troy AND Schenectady also have a Bombers.

Anyway, Both RPI and Union have old arenas. RPI's is one of the biggest in the ECAC, and yes, at times can be quiet, but other times can be raucous, especially if it's a close game. When you go into Messa, expect to be uncomfortable for the entire length of the game, and unless you are a Union student, don't expect to stand up, lest you get a tongue lashing from a security guard. If you are staying in Troy, there's a lot of places to go eat. Bombers, Brown's, Dinosaur BBQ, (and yes, as Flaggy likes to point out, it's not the original,) but since you probably don't feel like driving 2 hours to Syracuse, it will have to do. On an off day if you are looking for something to do, Albany is equidistant from both schools, take a tour of the NYS Capitol building, the oldest in the country. Since it's around Halloween time, I think they give their ghost tours. Go to the NYS Museum and see the 9/11 exhibit, VERY moving. In fact, the NYS Museum is a great thing to do if you've never been. If you're into history, etc....You'll see how important the Capital District was and is to New York State, and the country.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

If you can't find anything to do in the Capital District, then you aren't looking very hard.

Anyway, Both RPI and Union have old arenas. RPI's is one of the biggest in the ECAC, and yes, at times can be quiet, but other times can be raucous, especially if it's a close game. When you go into Messa, expect to be uncomfortable for the entire length of the game, and unless you are a Union student, don't expect to stand up, lest you get a tongue lashing from a security guard. If you are staying in Troy, there's a lot of places to go eat. Bombers, Brown's, Dinosaur BBQ, (and yes, as Flaggy likes to point out, it's not the original,) but since you probably don't feel like driving 2 hours to Syracuse, it will have to do. On an off day if you are looking for something to do, Albany is equidistant from both schools, take a tour of the NYS Capitol building, the oldest in the country. Since it's around Halloween time, I think they give their ghost tours. Go to the NYS Museum and see the 911 exhibit, VERY moving. In fact, the NYS Museum is a great thing to do if you've never been. If you're into history, etc....You'll see how important the Capital District was and is to New York State, and the country.

You do realize that they might not drive to Syracuse on Saturday, but that it's on the way for the trip as a whole, yes? They could just stop in on the drive there.

It might be a little cold, but there still might be some apple crop left for the picking, if that suits your fancy and you want to head a little north on NY 40.

 

[jericho]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

You do realize that they might not drive to Syracuse on Saturday, but that it's on the way for the trip as a whole, yes? They could just stop in on the drive there.

It might be a little cold, but there still might be some apple crop left for the picking, if that suits your fancy and you want to head a little north on NY 40.

Not everyone's like you. A normal person would probably fly.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

Not everyone's like you. A normal person would probably fly.

Hey now, what's wrong with a little road trip? The journey is part of the joy of the trip. Plus, I'm sure for westerners, 600 miles is typical.

 

[FireKnight]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

If you can't find anything to do in the Capital District, then you aren't looking very hard. BTW, both Troy AND Schenectady also have a Bombers.

Good to know. I don't frequent the CD unless I'm going to AMCH or St. Peters (other than for hockey), so the Bombers in Albany is always closer.

I've been to the Dinosaur in Syracuse and Crotchfester ... never knew there was one in the CD.

 

[jericho]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

Good to know. I don't frequent the CD unless I'm going to AMCH or St. Peters (other than for hockey), so the Bombers in Albany is always closer.

I've been to the Dinosaur in Syracuse and Crotchfester ... never knew there was one in the CD.

Right down the hill from RPI, next to Riverfront Park in downtown Troy. Right on the water. Also the biggest one in the state. When standing in the Dinosaur parking lot, if you look across River St. and a little to the left, you can see Bombers.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

I hope this trip also disproves the theory that Michigan doesn't travel for nc series, although only one game each.

But both RPI and Union had to agree to each play 2 games at Michigan for them to go to the NY CD. RPI played two games last year there and Union will play two there next year.

 

[UMICH]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

So you all know, we are used to old rinks. Yost is the second oldest building being used for a college hockey rink. Although, it's only been used for hockey since the early 70's.

The recent renovation helps a lot, but most of us were there with the old wood benches, and the closed end feel. Used to have places with dust you could measure with a ruler.

I miss Yost. The current building isn't Yost, it feels like a can of sardines...

 

[UnionHockeyRadio]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

Places to get food/beverages in Schenectady: You actually have lots of good choices, but near the campus here are a few worth checking out:
Katie O'Byrnes, The Van Dyck, Clinton's Ditch, Wolff's Biergarten. If you want to drive a little farther away Recovery Room in Rotterdam is nice too. There's really no shortage of options.

I've been to a lot of cities. Every town has its charm and decent spots and things to do. As someone else said, if you can't "find anything to do" you just aren't trying very hard. In schen there's a couple nice museums, and central park - just a couple obvious ones.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

I miss Yost. The current building isn't Yost, it feels like a can of sardines...

I guess we are in the minority who love the current yost. After +20 years in a cave, this is really nice. And +20 years of a gloomy exterior, seeing it is also really nice.

(the time frame is mine, as I started watching in 1990)

 

[Waite21]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

I've never been to Union's arena, but I see it described in this thread as "similarly old" to the Houston Field House.

I suppose the term "similarly" is open to broad interpretation, but I would tend to think that RPI's Field House is the older of the two by 20 or more years.

When I graduated from RPI in 1970, the hockey team had completed its 21st season playing home games at the Field House (which had not yet been named for former RPI President Livingston Houston). Union did not yet have a varsity team. They had a club team, but I don't know where the club team played or practiced.

Perhaps someone can enlighten me as to when the current Union hockey arena opened.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

But both RPI and Union had to agree to each play 2 games at Michigan for them to go to the NY CD. RPI played two games last year there and Union will play two there next year.

Union played a single game at Yost a couple years ago. I thought this was the return favor. I know RPI was there at T'giving last season, but, like an agreement with BU back aorund 08-09, U-M returned for single meetings last season and the year before. I thought that was what was going on here. Still, I had not seen U-M travel for nc games because of the restrictive CCHA schedule which only allowed for 5-6 nc games- with two of those at the GLI. I don't think it had much to do with anything beyond economics and the schedule limitations before.

 

[streaker]

Re: Michigan @ Union (Fri., 11/23) & RPI (Sat., 11/24)

I guess we are in the minority who love the current yost. After +20 years in a cave, this is really nice. And +20 years of a gloomy exterior, seeing it is also really nice.

(the time frame is mine, as I started watching in 1990)

What I miss most about current Yost has nothing to do with the renovations which were badly needed. Most of my dismay is the overall dead atmosphere filled with semi-Wolverine football fans posing as hockey fans now that the previous admin ran off most of the large, knowledgable student section, and the cheap canned music + goal horn (which now appears to have been muted.)