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UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

U

umassfan49

New member
Pretty sure there is not a thread on this. No offense to the Ledyard, but this is really the tournament that nobody cares about.

2009 UConn Hockey Classic
December 29-30th at Mark Freitas Ice Forum (UConn)
Game 1: UMass vs. Union
Game 2: Bentley vs. UConn

Union has been playing great hockey as of late and UMass just put a stop to their recent skid by beating Merrimack. I think it will be a good matchup to see guys like Marcou and Wellman face off against Valery-Trabucco of Union. Game 1 should be a great game, with Atlantic Hockey foes Bentley and UConn clashing in the later game. Any thoughts/predictions for this? UMass seems to always play badly in these holiday tournaments and I think they really need to win both games in order to make any sort of NCAA run and to keep a decent Pairwise spot. Hopefully they can do so, but with teams like Union playing well it should be difficult.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Union v. UMASS is by far the best match-up on paper. Shame its a neutral site game in a small barn on a Tuesday afternoon.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Union93 said:
Union v. UMASS is by far the best match-up on paper. Shame its a neutral site game in a small barn on a Tuesday afternoon.
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the entire tournament, imo, has never made much sense. UConn is deserted over break and its a "company town"... nothing much more than the school there.

I think this tournament separates the die-hard fan from the normal fan. Needless to say I won't be at this one.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

I agree that this tournament lacks sizzle but I think it takes on some degree of significance at least for UMass and (plain old) U. UMass is a very good team from what I've read and Union is a program with a lot to prove and which is on a roll. This will obviously be a big test for them and hopefully for UMass as well. There have also been some contentious games between these two teams over recent years so this might be as well. Additionally, Union's next win will be Nate Leaman's 100th as coach.

I don't mean to be dismissive of UConn and Bentley, but I don't really follow either that closely. Maybe some of their fans can get on board here.

Does anyone know if there will be video streaming of the games? I couldn't find any mention of it.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Wholin1 said:
Does anyone know if there will be video streaming of the games? I couldn't find any mention of it.
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IIRC the AHA has a deal with the B2networks but I don't know if that will extend to non-UConn games.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

I haven't decided if I'll be going to the games yet, depends on the weather tomorrow. Hopefully Union can stay on the roll they were on before the break.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Patman said:
IIRC the AHA has a deal with the B2networks but I don't know if that will extend to non-UConn games.
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I checked B2 and only the Bentley UConn game appears to be on the broadcast schedule.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Actually, I think that both games tomorrow should be great. Two evenly matched teams in both. I'm skiing in the morning and headed to Storrs mid afternoon.

Two hours from the NYCD and half an hour less from Amherst. Weather should be fine. What else have you guys got better to do?

Wednesday might be a bit more problematic. Have to see how the AHA looks these days. But I suspect that either AHA team will be able to acquit itself well.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Would UConn have any better luck moving this tourney downtown to the CC?
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

What is the parking situation around Storrs? I plan on showing up around 2-ish, taking a walk/drive around campus and having late lunch with a friend at Ted's (heard that it was a good place and close to the arena)...
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

schiegs said:
Would UConn have any better luck moving this tourney downtown to the CC?
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Yes they would.
There has been talk about an annual tourney with the 4 Connecticut D1 teams but it has yet to materialize and the Hartford CC woud also be an ideal location for that event.

The UConn Holiday Tourney will draw between 1 -to- 2000 people tomorrow at the overlap point and would draw well Wednesday if UConn can get past Bentley tomorrow.

It is a well run event and the participating teams are treated well and enjoy it.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Bullmoose said:
What is the parking situation around Storrs? I plan on showing up around 2-ish, taking a walk/drive around campus and having late lunch with a friend at Ted's (heard that it was a good place and close to the arena)...
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We go every year and there is never any real problem with parking. The lot at the rink is a pretty good size lot. If it happens to be full, there is an indoor lot across from Gampel Pavilion that is only a short walk to the rink.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

I keep having visions of Bentley winning this, so if somehow they do you herd it here first.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Bullmoose said:
What is the parking situation around Storrs? I plan on showing up around 2-ish, taking a walk/drive around campus and having late lunch with a friend at Ted's (heard that it was a good place and close to the arena)...
Click to expand...

You will have zero trouble parking. Ted's is about hmm I'd say ten minutes at most walk from the arena. (It's not a direct walk.)

As a UConn alum and an attendee at many games. (Work is somewhat interfering with this tourney) there really is a lack of sizzle. I have no problem with the on ice product, but there is just something missing atmosphere wise compared to some of the other regional teams. Never mind having a tournament while the students are on break. UConn Hockey is largely an afterthought and it's too bad. There isn't a bad fan turnout, but like was said, sizzle would be good.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

dfpsports said:
You will have zero trouble parking. Ted's is about hmm I'd say ten minutes at most walk from the arena. (It's not a direct walk.)

As a UConn alum and an attendee at many games. (Work is somewhat interfering with this tourney) there really is a lack of sizzle. I have no problem with the on ice product, but there is just something missing atmosphere wise compared to some of the other regional teams. Never mind having a tournament while the students are on break. UConn Hockey is largely an afterthought and it's too bad. There isn't a bad fan turnout, but like was said, sizzle would be good.
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UConn is obviously also a school that cares first about its basketball program, and football is also on the rise, which leaves hockey further down the list. I think if there was a large following you might have seen an ice surface put in at the basketball arena, which is a great facility. Watching a hockey game there would be great, if there was a large enough following and the program turned around and became a legitimate contender each year.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

dfpsports said:
You will have zero trouble parking. Ted's is about hmm I'd say ten minutes at most walk from the arena. (It's not a direct walk.)
Click to expand...

yeah, there arena is up a hill from there... i walked back from the rink to Teds at one point over last winter's break... but still its not a bad walk. I doubt it'll be all that busy, but IIRC, they are open over break.

---

umassfan... gampel is too small for hockey... the rink wouldn't fit.
 
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Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

Patman said:
umassfan... gampel is too small for hockey... the rink wouldn't fit.
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Actually, we measured it one year. It would fit, but just barely. It would be so cramped it would not really be feasible.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

I think they could still do more with the venue they have, it seems doubtful the XL Center could absorb that many games either in terms of scheduling them in or in terms of whether the university could recoup initial costs, though I would welcome an increased profile for UConn Hockey especially when one considers some of the most meaningful hockey games are being played when college basketball is still in its early "non-conference schedule" (relatively easy) more fans might be drawn in during that lull.
 
Re: UConn Hockey Classic - December 29-30

umassfan49 said:
I keep having visions of Bentley winning this, so if somehow they do you herd it here first.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think that your visions could be correct, as I think that Bentley will beat Union for the championship. Bentley missed an opportunity to play Union at the RPI tourney over Thanksgiving, beating Lake Superior State in a shoot out for third place in that tourney. Bentley has nothing to lose once they get past UConn, and everything to win as they try to improve on their RPI ranking of 44, which I believe is the highest they have seen since going to Div 1.
 
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