ECAC Reportedly Considering Moving Tournament to Albany

[judy]

and I've already claimed my 2 foot by 6 foot spot on the bed/couch/floor.

[Erica]

[Scott Kominkiewicz \'84]

Although the ECAC, Ivy League, and NCAA would turn its nose up to the idea, perhaps the best place to host the tournament is Atlantic City.  They recently renovated Convention Hall, which now hosts the Boardwalk Bullies of the ECHL and seats 10,500.  Needless to say, it's easy to get to, and there's plenty to do.

[Greg Berge]

They used to have a great old hockey rink in Atlantic City; my choir sang there during the Bicentennial and it was about 8000 degrees inside.

It would a little inconvenient that it would be farther south than 11 (12?) of the conference members...

[Scott Kominkiewicz \'84]

Atlantic City is farther south than Princeton.  Geographically, it doesn't fit the paradigm that a site needs to be "centrally" located.  My folly is that it's not that much more difficult to travel to than any other site and there are  plenty of hotels and entertainment.

[nshapiro]

Why doesn't the ECAC consider the Hartford civic center.  It once was an NHL rink, so the "small time" tag wouldn't fit, and Hartford is way nicer than albany, plus, it is centrally isolated, and not officially in anybody's back yard.  Yale is the closest, but they never used to be a dominating crowd, even in the Whale.

[Jim Hyla]

I suspect that it's because Albany has wanted these types of games, such as the NCAA's, but Hartford has never shown the same interest.

And after reading Al's link about the NCAA tourney, I'm more convinced than ever, Hartford just doesn't want it.

[Al DeFlorio]

And besides...ya never know when the roof's gonna get blown off. ::nut::

[jtwcornell91]

There's another article on USCHO
http://www.uscho.com/news/2002/06/07_004452.php
Still no word from the ECAC, but revealing quotes from the folks in Albany and Lake Placid.

Incidentally, has it occurred to anyone that the ECAC is potentially doubly shafting Placid by dragging their feet on this?  I'd have to think that the Lake Placid regional bid would have a better chance if the ECAC move to Albany were already a done deal.

[Greg Berge]

I'm sure it's occured to ORDA counsel.  Not that the ECAC ever does anything with foresight, but I couldn't ask for a better case for negotiation in bad faith with a pinch of grievous financial harm.  Add contractual malfeasance and... well, I would want to be in Centerville.

God knows what those eejits are thinking...

[Al DeFlorio]

Perhaps what they're thinking is that 60% of the visitors to this forum think Albany is a better idea.;-)

[jtwcornell91]

[Q]CAPE COD, Mass.--The ECAC will host a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 18 at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, New York where information pertaining to the future placement of the ECAC Division I Men's Hockey Championship will be announced. [/Q]

Gee, wonder what they're going to announce. ::rolleyes::

I guess this means I will be in New Orleans March 22, watching the ECACs on the dish.  (Of course, hearing the announcers blather about what a step forward it is to move to Albany will probably be even more annoying than actually being there in person.)

[Al DeFlorio]

And I will make my Saratoga Springs hotel reservations as soon as the announcement is made.  The LP ripoff is--apparently--at long last over.:-)

[marty]

But oh how I'll miss those hotdogs at the Olympic arena.

:-P

[RichS]

Are you sure SS will be any less a ripoff?  Thats a pretty pricey area also, right?