Tonight the UNH men's hockey team plays their final home game of the regular season. Although they have already clinched a spot to host a first round game of the Hockey East playoffs this is sure to be one of the loudest games of the season. I have attended most of the home games this year and UNH fans have been treated to some great games.The Wildcats play two games against BC, one tonight at the Whit and again tomorrow at BC. UNH is currently first in Hockey East, just ahead of BC, and they only need to tie one game to clinch the top seed. If you're attending tonight's game be sure to check out today's sports column in TNH by Zack Cox.
Now, you're probably wondering why I said tonight's game will be the loudest of the season if they get to host at least two playoff games. It is because those games are scheduled for Friday March 12th and Saturday the 13th. That means that the majority of the UNH student body will have already left campus for spring break. That is the second year in a row that has happened and it is unacceptable. UNH always says how they want athletics to become a focal point of the university, yet they are sending almost the entire student body home before the biggest hockey games of the season. That is a shame and the team deserves a big crowd for to make for a true playoff atmosphere. UNH leads Hockey East in attendance, but I guarantee the student section will be terrible for next weekend's games. There is a simple solution to this problem, for UNH to let students stay until Saturday afternoon. Dining Halls wouldn't have to be opened and students could see at least the first game next week. I understand that UNH just wants the students to leave for spring break, but our pride of having the best team, and the best fans, in Hockey East are at stake if we can't fill up the Whit for a home playoff game. It happened last year (and the team lost both games) and it is looking like it could happen again this year. Hopefully with a different outcome.
Stay classy, not UMassy.
it's not just about hockey games dude, yea its important but to be opening the dinning halls until sat. means kids who work there must stay and it's unfair for people who have to travel.
ReplyDeleteI said dinning halls wouldn't have to be open. just let kids stay until like 1 pm or something. there are other places to eat breakfast.
ReplyDeleteThe first kid must be an RA/former RA that is still upset about that other article. Sending home students before the biggest home game of the year is lame. Solution: everyone pitch tents and camp out in front of the Whit after the game.
ReplyDeleteI graduated from UNH last May, and I can tell you this is at least the 5th year in a row spring break and Hockey East playoffs have been on the same weekend. Administration must be tone deaf.
ReplyDeleteI love the tent idea.
ReplyDeleteIt happens almost every year, because we always have the same week for break and hockey east playoffs start at the same time. UNH usually is in the top 4 of HE so students miss out on those last 2 home games.
If we had our break a week earlier like most schools it would work out fine.
have you ever been to a game over any break? i went to one over winter break and the whit was still packed for a regular season match up... if students really wanted to go they'd make the effort to
ReplyDeleteYea, I live pretty locally (about 30 minute drive) and I've been to a couple games over break over the past few years. As a whole there are usually a lot of people in the entire arena, but I went to a few when the student section was about half full and probably half of the people in it were not even students. Plus, it sucks for anyone who is a big fan but they are from far away.
ReplyDeleteThey do it on purpose. If students dont take up the 2,000 or so seats then the administration can sell more of those general admission tickets that they love to make money on. Less students = more money.
ReplyDeletei originally said in a previous comment that games over break were still packed. last night was pathetic. half of the whit was full, if that
ReplyDelete