UConn MHOC & 2025 Hockey East Tournament (*Championship Game: Friday 3/21/25 v. Maine Black Bears at 7:30p @ TD Garden, Boston MA) Game on NESN

[Patman]

You??? I thought you were with us!!

He went to BU

 

[DblCrossbar]

We are a nothing hockey school lol. No recent or historical success. We are one of like 5 TOTAL programs to have never qualified for the NCAA tournament (until this season). Plus another winter sport rules the roost here and was playing at the SAME TIME. I'm not sure why you all are surprised and crying about attendance, what were you expecting

Fair point here. In the earlier days of the team playing at the XL when they first ascended into Hockey East UConn led the league in attendance due to the novelty effect and attracting disenfranchised former Whalers fans like myself who wanted to reconnect with the sport under a brand we could support. For a whole host of reasons, the Wolf Pack isn’t that draw for some of us.

Over time interest settled down, covid hit, and though there was some success in 2022, the transition to Toscano was an awkward one. The game day experience there is fortunately starting to improve, and even though it has alienated some previous fans, it is ultimately where they will build their legacy in Cawlidge Hawkey. They are carving a significant niche but give an established program like Maine credit for coming in full force. Their takeover of TD Garden says more about their passion than it does anything about any perceived lack of it from UConn fans, who will continue to grow, particularly as students become a more integral part of the fanbase.

 

[Viet Vet]

Lol, would love to hear what the kiddos had to say about our fine state. We all got flaws but would be funny to hear.

Besides they now have the prickly Dannell Malloy as the UMaine Chencellor. Did anyone at the game notice a shot of him in his luxury box on the Jumbotron just after Sitar’s goal was waived off for offsides?

Q: Does anyone else think that the jumbotron at TDG spends way too much time showing tugging of jerseys?

Jumbotron at Toscano is much better. I kept looking for SOG near the score. Nope....have to look way around the scoreboard's circumference. Beautiful arena, great sightlines and concessions (although beer prices are insane), but our scoreboard at Toscano is superior.

 

[Viet Vet]

Whoa easy there fella….

it was only 75% Maine fans.


and damn the seats at TD garden have less legroom than an economy seat on Delta flight 2454 to Atlanta

But the cupholders are where they belong.......on the seats in the row in front, not next to your arm where they impede your entry, or exit, from your seat. BTW, they are actually deep enough to hold a beer can in place!

 

[cellocgg]

Fair point here. In the earlier days of the team playing at the XL when they first ascended into Hockey East UConn led the league in attendance due to the novelty effect and attracting disenfranchised former Whalers fans like myself who wanted to reconnect with the sport under a brand we could support. For a whole host of reasons, the Wolf Pack isn’t that draw for some of us.

Over time interest settled down, covid hit, and though there was some success in 2022, the transition to Toscano was an awkward one. The game day experience there is fortunately starting to improve, and even though it has alienated some previous fans, it is ultimately where they will build their legacy in Cawlidge Hawkey. They are carving a significant niche but give an established program like Maine credit for coming in full force. Their takeover of TD Garden says more about their passion than it does anything about any perceived lack of it from UConn fans, who will continue to grow, particularly as students become a more integral part of the fanbase.

Hockey is Maine's sport. It's not our sport. Maine's attendance isn't an indictment on UConn support. Look how the Elite 8 went at the Garden

 

[huskymedic]

Maine and UConn offered a reminder that powerhouse Hockey East is more than just Massachusetts - The Boston Globe

Not since 2002, when New Hampshire bested Maine, had the finale involved two out-of-state varsities before Friday night.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[RSTuthill]

Hockey is Maine's sport. It's not our sport. Maine's attendance isn't an indictment on UConn support. Look how the Elite 8 went at the Garden

It's like any other sport. Hockey is Maine's sport when the Blackbears are doing well. Not so much at other times.

Someone mentioned UNH. I remember times when UNH fans were very fanatical. Likewise UVM.

 

[Viet Vet]

At least we are not St. John's basketball fans.......................one and done!

 

[Patman]

It's like any other sport. Hockey is Maine's sport when the Blackbears are doing well. Not so much at other times.

Someone mentioned UNH. I remember times when UNH fans were very fanatical. Likewise UVM.

and they'll return to form if UNH is ever on the upswing. Their numbers are serious, don't kid yourself otherwise.

 

[KembaKek]

who will continue to grow, particularly as students become a more integral part of the fanbase.

I can 10000% guarantee you this is happening nowhere near soon. There are about 150 student tickets released per game. This is not an effective way to grow the student fanbase especially when the players are backdooring a lot of these

 

[KembaKek]

Anyways... it appears that UConn will be facing those kitties from Hamden in Allentown, PA this Friday.

 

[RSTuthill]

Anyways... it appears that UConn will be facing those kitties from Hamden in Allentown, PA this Friday.

Actually it appears Penn State will be the first round opponent. And Maine/QU for the regional championship if they get past the first round. Gotta like the odds for this regional. The big question mark in my mind is Penn State. Clarkson beat QU twice this year. So UConn would have to be favored in a QU matchup if it happens. And Maine is a very known quantity. So getting past PSU looks like the most dangerous matchup.