DC's Frozen Four bid

Adam W. has an interesting column in USCHO supporting Washington DC's bid to host the Frozen Four sometime between 2009-11. I agree it would be a great place for the tournament, largely because there is so much to keep fans entertained within walking distance of the MCI Center. The only drawback might be that DC isn't much of a hockey town, but I'm sure enough of the FF regulars will travel to easily sell out MCI.

Personally, I'd love it if the tournament came here. I think it would be great exposure for the college game in a place where pretty much only Cornell DC alumni seem to pay much attention to it. Also, if Navy goes Div. I, it may serve to finally bring college hockey to the area on a permanent basis.

[www.uscho.com]

I can assure you that it isn't only Cornell alumni who pay attention to college hockey in the District.

Navy might possibly help, although their profile in DC and NoVa is nil. The MD area cares about them a little, though.

Honestly I think the only tenuous link to college hockey in DC is that Mister Tony frequently mentions Cornell on his morning show on 930 AM.

Can't imagine there's a huge following here. At our Clarkson Cornell TV game, there were about 15 Golden Knight Fans. Ran into a couple of random Maine and Harvard hockey fans waiting for the Cornell OSU game to start. And after that game, to my great delight (and very randomly) I happened to be at a party at the bar that was hosting the "official BC vs. NoDak watch party. A decent showing of 20 Screaming Eagles, along with 1 happy Sioux. Obviously there's others around here, but I'm sure no other school can boast filling a DC bar with 150 of their cheering fans.

There is certainly plenty to do here, but I surely question the local interest. The tourney would have to rely on nearly all travelers. And hotels are pretty expensive. (Hotels are one of the main reasons I think a tournament in NYC are a terrible idea). Also, NY is just too big.

But I don't know why Adam is so down on his home city. I don't think having attractions near the Arena is so key. You come to the games on Thursday and Saturday, and on Friday, there's no reason to be near the Arena anyway-you check out the rest of the city.

He's right there's nothing around the arenas. I remember between games in Buffalo trying to find anything that was open - and that area WAS close to things. That may have soured him on the thought of the distance to downtown. Or he may be picking DC so nobody will accuse him of being a homer (like he's done for playpoff picks). But you can get to things in Philly easily by subway. And you don't need hotels at the arena.

However, Philly has experience with holding NCAA events, and you can be sure there will be some sort of party & game area set up in the parking lots of the nearby facilities. They do it for Flyers/Sixers playoff games, why not for the NC$$?

I think they at least have a chance. It may actually depend on how things go for the lax final four later this month.

[Q]Josh 03 Wrote: But I don't know why Adam is so down on his home city. I don't think having attractions near the Arena is so key. You come to the games on Thursday and Saturday, and on Friday, there's no reason to be near the Arena anyway-you check out the rest of the city.[/q]
He's NOT down on his home city -- Philadelphia is his clear second choice. Adam just thinks DC has a few things that Philly doesn't offer. Are you actually suggesting that it's BETTER to have the venue so far outside Center City? Lawdy, I hope not.

They're both good choices. I'd do cartwheels if either Philly or DC landed the Frozen Four.

Philadelphia's sports complex will be getting a chance to show its stuff when the lacrosse final four comes to town over Memorial Day weekend. The lax venue (the Linc) and the proposed hockey venue are literally right across the street from each other in South Philly. I can't wait. Sales have been surprisingly good (although they're still about 8,000 short of opening up the upper level). Of course lax sales are boosted by the proximity of the sport's nearby hotbed of Baltimore/DC.

[Q]Josh 03 Wrote:
But I don't know why Adam is so down on his home city. I don't think having attractions near the Arena is so key. You come to the games on Thursday and Saturday, and on Friday, there's no reason to be near the Arena anyway-you check out the rest of the city.
[/q]

In addition to what Hillel said ... it's not true there's no reason to be near the arena on Friday. Depending on where all of the pomp and circumstance takes place -- i.e. Hobey ceremony, etc... -- it may be very important. There are also practices at the arena. Better to have everything all within a walking distance of each other, so there's an epicenter of activity.