The home-and-home is considered the conference games. And of course they didn't have an even number when there were an odd number of conference games. With an even number of conference games, I suspect they will do it. In fact, they might even be required to do it, or be off by one if you have an odd number.
I'm a little surprised that we haven't scheduled Penn State again. I thought there would probably be a trip there after they came to Storrs two years ago. It would be a pretty nice matchup, I think of two programs trying to move up in the world or college hockey.
The thing is, short of making someone fly to ND for one game AND make ND fly to New England for one game with someone, there cannot be even numbers of home and away for everybody. That would bootstrap both ND and that other team into only playing one game that whole weekend. While that happens early in the year, most coaches like to use those one-game weekends for OOC games against easier teams, and not have it involve lengthy travel.
The only reason a return trip might not be part of any deal was that Penn State was an independent the season they came to UConn. Its possible they agreed to a 1 way deal just to schedule the game. Even if they did, though, I wouldn't mind seeing them become a regular/semi-regular opponent.
Then they can play an OOC game that weekend as well. Whoever has to travel to Notre Dame can play a midwestern school, and Notre Dame can play a non-conference opponent in the northeast.
None of this is feasible, and would only further the single-game problems. ND is within driving distance of very few schools, so they'd also have to have a date open on that weekend. In sum, it ain't happening. They'll likely alternate each year more home/away game.
Still, Maine is playing home-and-home against at least one team, which means that either Notre Dame is playing home-and-home against at least one team or someone else isn't playing home-and-home against anyone. It could be Vermont, I suppose. That's more plausible than Providence or Merrimack, who are the only teams other than Vermont and Notre Dame not known to be playing at least one home-and-home.
Not official yet, but that's what I read. Actually, the game going to Bridgeport all sounded pretty darned good. CC, then Lowell or Union and I think there was another pretty good one. I was surprised, and I don't think its a great idea to have multiple "homes," I mean I get the torunament being there. It is a Tournament after all, but I think there are going to be 4 games total. Though maybe they'll all get moved if the XL goes and chinces on locker rooms as is now being reported.
This is Cav's way of getting program visible in this end of the state for recruiting. I also think it's a shot across XL Center's bow. I think your post about playing all our home games on campus once the new barn is finished is a GREAT idea...but Cav realizes the benefits of playing in Bridgeport recruiting wise.
Southwestern CT isn't exactly a recruiting hotbed. If anything, playing in Storrs or Hartford would be more preferable as it's closer to the big CT private schools as well as the Western/Central MA private schools that traditionally have strong programs.
I don't know...a lot of CT kids Cav recruited at BC..although they played at the CT Prep schools were from Fairfield and New Haven County. There is a HUGE influx of kids playing hockey in Fairfield County with ice time at a premium in Norwalk, Darien, Stamford and Greenwich. In Stamford alone there are right now 5 rinks (Twin rinks, Chelsea Piers, and Terry Conner's) and there is a plan to build another 4 rink complex near the old Cyanamid property. There is one rink in Darien, 2 in Norwalk, and 3 in Greenwich (including Brunswick School). Even with the additional 4 rinks being built in Stamford..there will still be a shortage of ice time down this way (my Captain coaches a youth team in Stamford). There is also a Russian trainer in the Stamford/Darien area who trains NHL players every summer...St. Louis, Richards, Kreider, Van Reimsdyk among others work out down here. You also have Messier, Drury, and Richter coaching youth teams out of Greenwich. CT Yankee organization uses Chelsea Piers CT as well. Fot CT HS hockey..the FCIAC, Fairfield Prep, and West Haven, ND West Haven are always in the mix. It's those teams that usually send the kids on to the CT Prep schools (in addition to Apple Core from LI and Westchester Mariners) It's a good move in my opinion. Once new barn/facility is up and running..I say play all but a few home games there..the others in Bridgeport.
