I think they've talked about it as a step in generating exposure for both programs in the area and building the fan base by getting the games outside of Troy and Schenectady. But I think for this to work they need local media to understand there's a loyal and dedicated fan base for hockey around here and to begin to balance the coverage of all things basketball with a little more coverage of the hockey teams. The Times Union used to do preview stories before RPI games and used to have reporters covering away games. Quietly, most of that has disappeared and the stories have become shorter and less frequent. Thankfully we have WAP and the other blogs and plenty of sources of information and places to discuss hockey. And Matt Graves and others at the TU and Schott at the Gazette and Weaver at the Record all work really hard and do a great job covering hockey. My frustration is more with the higher ups at these outlets (TV too) who just assume people always want more basketball. I know the papers are all hanging on as best they can but it's frustrating to see three or four stories in the Times Union on Siena and UAlbany hoops on the same night that both RPI and Union are home and will draw a combined 6,000+ fans to their games and virtually nothing in the way of hockey coverage.
Personally, I could take it or leave it with the Mayor's Cup game and don't have strong feelings one way or another. To me the most exciting matchup with Union outside of conference play would be to meet them in the postseason with something on the line.
