What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Sacred Heart 2019-20

DavidNardolillo said:
I would have guessed that this move was made as part of a strategy to become the 12th team in Hockey East.
Click to expand...

So cool to see another AHA team get a fancy new rink, and I don’t want to be dismissive but… shouldn’t you guys average a little more than 500 fans/night before you think too hard about courting other affiliations?
 
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

If they continue to have good years like this year along with a new rink I think you'll see fan interest grow.
 
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

ExileOnDaytonStreet said:
So cool to see another AHA team get a fancy new rink, and I don’t want to be dismissive but… shouldn’t you guys average a little more than 500 fans/night before you think too hard about courting other affiliations?
Click to expand...

I am not a Sacred Heart fan, but I would be surprised if a school the size of SHU would have undertaken such a project without an ambition to join Hockey East. As for the low attendance, I would wonder whether moving the games out of Bridgeport and back on campus would have an immediate impact.
 
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

MarkEagleUSA said:
Congrats to SHU. The team played hard all weekend.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the weekend!

And the drawings for the rink look impressive!

You'll need more fans to fill a rink, but first, a challenge to your fan base: you're having a great year... Where are your fans? Where are the posters on this thread?
 
Last edited:
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

Congrats indeed (from a Colgate season ticket holder).
Exciting to see Atlantic Hockey and it’s teams not just survive, but truly thrive!!
 
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

DavidNardolillo said:
I am not a Sacred Heart fan, but I would be surprised if a school the size of SHU would have undertaken such a project without an ambition to join Hockey East. As for the low attendance, I would wonder whether moving the games out of Bridgeport and back on campus would have an immediate impact.
Click to expand...
It did for Bentley. The season before three seasons ago their average attendance was 525 and two seasons ago in the 12 games at the JAR before they opened their new rink the average attendance had dropped to 365. Last season their average attendance was 1,131 (including 3 quarterfinal playoffs games - the average was 1,267 for the 18 regular season games) and for this season teh average has been 1,368 to date. However, Sacred Heart is planning to build a 4,000 seat arena while Bentley planned and built a rink with a capacity of 2,207 (1,917 seats plus standing room). Building an arena that size is what makes people think they are looking at a possible move to Hockey East or the ECAC (if an opening becomes available). And with a women's team that the school appears to finally be fully supporting they would be positioned have both teams make a move (and which I believe is a requirement to join the ECAC).

Sean
 
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

WOW! I am very impressed with your team! Very fast and talented! Congratulations on the tourney! I have no doubt you will be playing well into March!
Colgate fan
 
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

Leather Lungs said:
The minute an AHA team does well the talk turns to how soon can they ditch the AHA. Don't be another Merrimack.
Click to expand...
As I stated, it is the announced arena size that is causing the talk more than Sacred Heart doing well. And the school may see a 4,000 seat arena as an opportunity to book music acts and events looking for that size venue in the Bridgeport market. I have no idea if any other similar size venues currently exist or are planned for the market, but that could have played a factor in the size. However, the announced size would also fit into the ECAC or Hockey East.

What other AHA teams have been talked about leaving the AHA? As for Merrimack they were never in the AHA and they moved from DII directly to Hockey East without the school support that Sacred Heart is now giving their hockey programs.

Sean
 
Sean Pickett said:
What other AHA teams have been talked about leaving the AHA? As for Merrimack they were never in the AHA and they moved from DII directly to Hockey East without the school support that Sacred Heart is now giving their hockey programs.

Sean
Click to expand...

No teams that I'm aware of, but Holy Cross and Bentley both have vocal fanbases that see their schools as Hockey East caliber institutions. RIT fans think they belong in the ECAC. Fans of the other western schools have kicked around the idea of a Great Lakes centric conference. Only Army, Air Force, and AIC fans appear to be content.

I only brought up Merrimack as a way to illustrate the future that awaits any Atlantic team joining Hockey East, i.e. a second punching bag. Ironically, the better example is Quinnipiac. Sure, they ditched the AHA, but they've also decided being a big fish in the ECAC pond is preferable to the shark infested waters of Hockey East with it's state school giants and a Power 5 school. Oh, and BU.

Atlantic Hockey is clearly improving. Everyone is probably better off just staying put and continuing that project.
 
Re: Sacred Heart 2019-20

I'm thinking of going to next Tuesday's game in Springfield. 1st place on the line. Anyone have advice on parking at the Mass Mutual Center?
I hope the Pioneers can keep up the good play after 9 days off.
 
LTI Alum said:
I'm thinking of going to next Tuesday's game in Springfield. 1st place on the line. Anyone have advice on parking at the Mass Mutual Center?
I hope the Pioneers can keep up the good play after 9 days off.
Click to expand...

The MGM parking garage is free, clean, safe, and a short walk to the MMC. You can even cut through the casino.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top