RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

I need to get to Brown eventually. I'll probably try to make it up next year, since it should be the Saturday game. That'll leave only Dartmouth for me to get to to finish the ECAC rinks.

 

[jericho]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

I need to get to Brown eventually. I'll probably try to make it up next year, since it should be the Saturday game. That'll leave only Dartmouth for me to get to to finish the ECAC rinks.

One of the best rinks in the ECAC, IMO.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

One of the best rinks in the ECAC, IMO.

Brown or Dartmouth? Both are really good.

 

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

Brown or Dartmouth? Both are really good.

I've heard good things about Thompson. The Pep Band went there my senior year, but I had a GRE subject test the next morning so I had to miss it. Like me, most of the people I know have also never been Brown, so I know little about Meehan other than it being called an "Auditorium." I think my favorite non-HFH rink in the league is Appleton, or at least it would be if it weren't for that stupid air raid siren.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

I've heard good things about Thompson. The Pep Band went there my senior year, but I had a GRE subject test the next morning so I had to miss it. Like me, most of the people I know have also never been Brown, so I know little about Meehan other than it being called an "Auditorium." I think my favorite non-HFH rink in the league is Appleton, or at least it would be if it weren't for that stupid air raid siren.

I've been to both places. Thompson Arena is a large place, seats about 5000 for hockey. The concourse is above the seats. You have to go down to get to your seats. Excellent sight lines. Not a bad seat in the place. It can get a little cold in there on cold nights outside. Meehan is lot smaller, holds about 2500 or so. But the views are good in there also. Probably two of the better older rinks in the ECAC. Both are better than Appleton IMO.

 

[hab]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

I've heard good things about Thompson. The Pep Band went there my senior year, but I had a GRE subject test the next morning so I had to miss it. Like me, most of the people I know have also never been Brown, so I know little about Meehan other than it being called an "Auditorium." I think my favorite non-HFH rink in the league is Appleton, or at least it would be if it weren't for that stupid air raid siren.

I love the VERY diverse character of the ECAC rinks. I like Appleton because it has that 'good old barn' feeling (do they still have the wooden bench seats?); Thompson has good sight lines, knowledgeable crowd; Hobey Baker feels like they really intended the building to be a library; Colgate feels like a suburban neighborhood rink; Clarkson makes you wonder about priorities...a modern palace in the midst of rather shabby academic and residence buildings; Yale...worst acoustics anywhere...when you get a band in there you need earplugs; Lynah is a great atmosphere when students show up; and the Salt Dome (what can you say?...nice campus 'though). But the HFH is special.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

I've never been to HFH, but I know RPI fans hold it in supremely high regard. What makes it so special? Just curious.

 

[John Cloninger RPI 96]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

I've been to all 12, as I added Quinnipiac about 10 years ago or so. I've also been to Vermont, but they don't count anymore. And I've watched about 20 games in Princeton, including Princeton/Notre Dame and an RPI/Princeton women's game.

Worst ECAC arenas? I think you have to rate Union last, and then Colgate in 11th, but I think they're building a new one. I will of course rate HFH first, and not sure who I'd place 2nd. Quinny is really good, and SLU gets big points for its old barn feel. Last I checked, they did have those old wooden bench seats. And if you're ranking for personality's sake, Princeton gets some votes too. Lynah reminds me a bit of Harvard, except Lynah's crowd is really fervent. Clarkson? Very antiseptic.

 

[jericho]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

Brown or Dartmouth? Both are really good.

As far as broadcast areas, Thompson and Meehan are both excellent. Lynah is actually really good too, except for the fact that it's cluttered. Union and Colgate rank last in that category as well. I've actualyy never been to Hoby Baker, Bright, or Quinnipiac, but I'll get there someday when I can. Cheel is just, meh.

 

[Pappy89]

Yup, Class of '89

Is 89 your RPI class? If you have a daughter at RPI, it can't be when you were born as is the 92 in lugnut92.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

Yup, Class of '89

So you just missed the '85 championship. IIRC, both Kurt Stutt and Jayson Moy are '89 grads.

 

[Rainman]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

I need to get to Brown eventually. I'll probably try to make it up next year, since it should be the Saturday game. That'll leave only Dartmouth for me to get to to finish the ECAC rinks.

Brown's Meehan Auditorium has some great sight lines, and you can watch from just above and behind the goals if you want. They also have some great chocolate chip cookies at the concession stand. Also, given the home team's performance the past several years, it's generally empty, so you can pretty much pick where you want to sit. As for me, the only rink I have yet to make it to is Princeton's Hobey Baker Rink. Hopefully I make it there next season.

Worst ECAC arenas? I think you have to rate Union last, and then Colgate in 11th, but I think they're building a new one. I will of course rate HFH first, and not sure who I'd place 2nd. Quinny is really good, and SLU gets big points for its old barn feel. Last I checked, they did have those old wooden bench seats. And if you're ranking for personality's sake, Princeton gets some votes too. Lynah reminds me a bit of Harvard, except Lynah's crowd is really fervent. Clarkson? Very antiseptic.

Colgate fan here. Yes, I would have to agree with you that Starr Rink is the 2nd worst in the league, only ahead of Union (keep in mind I've been to all ECAC Rinks except Princeton), though we are moving to a new rink next season. I would rank Quinnipiac as the best rink in the league, though I would agree with many that I would rather see the Bobcats in Hockey East...

 

[ServinisScores]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

Meehan is a great place to watch, but terrible atmosphere. RPI fans consistently outnumber the home team.

 

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

If I had to rank the ten I've seen...

HFH, Appleton, Hobey, Ingalls, Bright, Lynah, [whoever gave Quinnipiac the biggest pile of money], Starr, Cheel, Messa

 

[Pappy89]

Yeah. Knew I was coming to RPI, watched both games on ESPN. Was late to work because of the semi-final. Had some friends that went to the 'Joe'.

So you just missed the '85 championship. IIRC, both Kurt Stutt and Jayson Moy are '89 grads.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

Yeah. Knew I was coming to RPI, watched both games on ESPN. Was late to work because of the semi-final. Had some friends that went to the 'Joe'.

To the best of my recollection, the semifinal was not shown live on ESPN but rather on the afternoon of the day that the final took place.

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

To the best of my recollection, the semifinal was not shown live on ESPN but rather on the afternoon of the day that the final took place.

Actually, the semifinal was shown at 11 AM on Saturday. The reason for the delayed broadcast was that ESPN decided to show a women's final four BB game instead. Remember these were the days before ESPN2, otherwise, the game would have been shown live.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI & Union @ Brown & Yale (1/29, 1/30)

Actually, the semifinal was shown at 11 AM on Saturday. The reason for the delayed broadcast was that ESPN decided to show a women's final four BB game instead. Remember these were the days before ESPN2, otherwise, the game would have been shown live.

Well, most of the game was shown in the afternoon. (Also some pieces were cut out so it would fit into its time slot.)

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

If I had to rank the ten I've seen...

HFH, Appleton, Hobey, Ingalls, Bright, Lynah, [whoever gave Quinnipiac the biggest pile of money], Starr, Cheel, Messa

I pretty much agree with your list, except I would put Thompson 2nd, and Meehan 4th and would put Lynah ahead of Ingalls and Bright. I haven't been to QU or Cheel. My only experience at Clarkson was at the old Walker Arena, which was 10 times worse then Messa (believe it or not).

 

[RPI fan 4 life]

Well, most of the game was shown in the afternoon. (Also some pieces were cut out so it would fit into its time slot.)

That's true about the cut outs. In fact, they didn't show the first 5 minutes of the first OT. Which was probably a good thing since UMD dominated that period of time. I know because I was at the Joe.