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UNH Wildcats 2021/2022 - Return of the Champions of October?
- Thread starter Chuck Murray
- Start date
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Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
One of those things that seemed curious at the time, but I never thought to ask why ...
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Watched the MC v UConn game last night (UConn won 3-2) Should be an interesting matchup when we play MC and UConn again in the same weekend. Just some meaningless hockey talk. Thought MC looked pretty good. They are always competitive when we play them. Hope the lay off isn't a killer...
This popped today. Note the reference to the “200x85 NHL-sized rink”.
https://twitter.com/sacredheartuniv/...24777679020033
Arms race, for sure.
EDIT: Not trying to stir things up - just a timely tweet with a pretty good video of what is to come there.
https://twitter.com/sacredheartuniv/...24777679020033
Arms race, for sure.
EDIT: Not trying to stir things up - just a timely tweet with a pretty good video of what is to come there.
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After the Whistle
Member
Wow now that is a really fine facility. Everything under one roof, a recruits paradise. While I usually get the jag on the entitlement piece on a new weight room but every sport wants one. It isn’t going to happen at this state school in NH. Lounge, film room and locker room upgrade would be a big plus.
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Whoa that sure is nice! Didn't watch the whole thing what is the price tag for that? Bobby V still the AD there? So when the Whitt made its debut was it considered "state of the art"?
Like ATW agree it would be nice to upgrade at least the basics given the $$$. Need some big donors with lots of $$$ to build that type of facility.
But then you look at the sh*t hole facility Sean MacDinald had for years.....
Surely there is a lurker out there ready to pony up a few mil....
Just go to the Diamond library. Lots of hidden millionaire's there just waiting to become fans of top notch arena amenities late in life.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Only surprised Bobby V didn't include a "Wrap City" vendor space in SHU's arena rendering. ;-)
I think The Whitt was considered a utilitarian version of "state of the art" when it opened.
There certainly was no mistaking it for the old Snively next door. It was pretty amazing in the early days, though, bringing the Lively Snively vibe into a facility with almost twice as many people, and VERY vocal. But folks got pretty content quickly, and the "edge" that came over from the noisy old building gradually disappeared within 5 years in the new one, I'd say.
Ironically, as Football's facilities improved drastically, the on-field results began to lag. Make of that what you will, but a lesson that should not be lost on the decision-makers.
What Whalers said.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
With all of the time dedicated (some would say wasted) on the subject of a "NH Beanpot" ... down in Connecticut, you could really make a legitimate D-1 run at a pretty compelling event. Yale could be your Ivy representative, UConn would be your obligatory state school, and you could round things out with Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart. I'm not sure if the Mohegan Sun Arena is fitted out for ice shows (seems to be mostly hoops and concerts) but gosh, one would think them sponsoring such an event would be an absolute no-brainer to elevate the profile of CT D-1 hockey (for the schools), all while drawing significant foot traffic for the gaming and ample restaurants on the tribal grounds. And if not for Hockey, then why not D-1 Hoops??
Joint recruiting bonanza, for sure. Might even attract some transfers to Yale.
They play it in Bridgeport
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
And so they do. Turns out this weekend is the second annual event. And SHU are defending champs!
SNY Connecticut Ice | Webster Bank Arena
Nothing going on in the surrounding "neighborhood", if that's what you call I-95, Long Island Sound and parking lots. The various on-site concessions are basically working with a captive audience.
Good for them ... I still liked my idea better, but unfortunately, from the best I can tell, the Mohegan Sun Arena (the one in Uncasville CT) does not have capacity for ice events. Believe it or not, there is another "Mohegan Sun Arena" but that's in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PA, which would not be conducive to this event. C'est la vie. Hardly my first crash & burn idea on here, is it?
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Turning back to my "NH Beanpot" concept, how about we do this instead ... pick a weekend (something around the holidays?) and have Night One (Friday) feature four NH D-3 programs - say, SNHU, New England College, St. Anselm's and Plymouth State. They have two games, basically semifinals to see who will advance to a D-3 Finals on Saturday night. That can be the warmup game for the D-1 Finals later that evening between UNH and Dartmouth, which would basically be the old Riverstone thing, with the addition of other NH schools getting to play for something that (over time) could mean something. Having four schools' fanbases in the building on Friday night would be a novelty to begin with, and having two D-3 fanbases returning the next evening to supplement the larger D-1 fan bases from either side of the state ... thoughts?
I can't pretend to know the dynamics of the various D-3 participants, whether they are familiar opponents being in the same league, different leagues, independents, etc. Franklin Pierce and Rivier (I believe?) also have D-3 programs, so if interest is not there with some of the D-3's I mentioned, the others can be alternative options. And we avoid D-1 v. D-3 lopsided games.
Any converts out there yet?
After the Whistle
Member
Getting closer Chuck. Been to a couple of these schools games but have to say the crowds are far from overwhelming. Coupling it with the annual Dartmouth Game would really make it a NH event. Get on it!
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Would love to be at home....single elimination anything can happen! Think its been since 2016 of I have that right. Stay safe down there!
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Maybe our incoming AD will be on the prowl for signature events like this to establish a legacy?
There's been no shortage of "Bob the Builder" types at the U over the last generation (there's an understatement) so it might be nice to see some of these wannabe general contractors take early retirement, or at least they or their successors can spend the next 10-20 years reaching out to re-establish ties to the general community? Y'know, step outside the bubble, remind themselves how the other 90+% live, and maybe knock down some of the elitist stereotypes that they and their colleagues at other campuses have allowed to take root since the turn of the century (but especially over the last 5+ years)? You never know, taking such a partnering approach (contrary to the status quo) could change Concord's perception of the U? Make it happen, Dean Dean!
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