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Philly is one of the finalists to host the Frozen Four in 2009, 2010 & 2011. Sure it's putting the cart before the horse. But I can't help but think there is some synchronicity or karma involved with the resurgence of BGSU hockey & a possible Frozen Four in Philly.

Maybe Noah & I will see the Falcons bring home another national title!

If we're not at that level of play by then, I'll be awfully surprised! The chances are definately good that we'll be in Philly!

Who would be the host school if the finals came to Philly? The only college hockey that I know of that is close to Philly is Princeton.

As far as I know there isn't ever technically a "host" school, the ice is supposed to be neutral. When Columbus bid for hosting the FF, the Blue Jacket's arena wasn't built yet...so VCA was the venue.

Had OSU made it to the finals this year they would have had a distinct home ice advantage.

A couple years ago it was in Minnesota, and I watched the Minnesota vs. Michigan nat'l championship. That was probably the poorest excuse for neutral ice. I almost want to say it was their actual home ice, but it was a few years ago so I can't say for sure.

rc_ziggy84 wrote:A couple years ago it was in Minnesota, and I watched the Minnesota vs. Michigan nat'l championship. That was probably the poorest excuse for neutral ice. I almost want to say it was their actual home ice, but it was a few years ago so I can't say for sure.

There is always a host school, or in a few cases a host league. This year Ohio State was the host school. In Buffalo (2003) it was co-hosted by Niagara and Canisius (and to some extent the CHA and AH or the MAAC or whichever it was back then). The oddest case, at least since I've been going, was when it was in Anaheim in 1999. The host school was Alaska-Anchorage. In St. Louis (2007) there won't be a host school, but a host league, in this case the CHA.

When it was at XCel in 2002 the host school was Minnesota. And yes, it was a tremendous advantage for the Gophers. Their actual home arena is the Mariucci, which is on campus (not in downtown St. Paul), but that didn't matter much. What everyone has to remember about this one [God forgive me, but its going to sound like I'm defending the Gophers, ugh] is that when the city/U of M put in the bid, Woog was on his way out and the program was in disarray. Pre-Lucia. Pre-interlopers from *gasp* out of state!!!! (ie-- Grant and Ryan Potulny). It certainly didn't look like they'd make their own tournament.

The same thing happened to a lesser extent in 2004 at the Fleet Center. Boston College was among the participants but they didn't make it past their semi-final game against Maine. After Maine won, you couldn't sell tix for more than $5 on the street. NO ONE wanted to watch Denver and Maine, at least no whiney, bitter, bandwaggoning BC fans.

I stand corrected then....it makes more sense to have a host league, however, than a host school.

Not sure who that would be in Philly.

Not sure who the host school or league would be, but here are some possibilities...

Nearby Princeton places in the ECAC.

The ECHA has several Philadelphia-area schools: Drexel, Rutgers, West Chester U., Lehigh and Villanova.

1987alum wrote: Drexel, Rutgers, West Chester U., Lehigh and Villanova.

Now that's what I call power hockey schools.

Though, having the FF in Philly would still allow a lot of BG fans to attend the games. So I guess it balances out....

....Kinda'

1987alum wrote:The ECHA has several Philadelphia-area schools: Drexel, Rutgers, West Chester U., Lehigh and Villanova.

Are those even D-1 schools for Hockey?

Princeton would in all probability be the host school. Princeton has been playing college hockey since at least the 1910's decade, if not earlier. Hobey Baker played for the Tigers around 1910 give or take a few years.

If you love college hockey, and you are ever in central New Jersey during the season, a trip to view a game at Princeton is well worth it. Dress warm, the rink is very old, and cold and rich in history.

Princeton would in all probability be the host school. Princeton has been playing college hockey since at least the 1910's decade, if not earlier. Hobey Baker played for the Tigers around 1910 give or take a few years.

If you love college hockey, and you are ever in central New Jersey during the season, a trip to view a game at Princeton is well worth it. Dress warm, the rink is very old, and cold and rich in history.

rc_ziggy84 wrote:

1987alum wrote:The ECHA has several Philadelphia-area schools: Drexel, Rutgers, West Chester U., Lehigh and Villanova.

Are those even D-1 schools for Hockey?

Absolutely not.
I don't think they're even D-III (of course I don't follow D-III too closely) but any of them are likely candidates to beat Bentley or American International.

There's also the possibility of Robert Morris University hosting. I would guess it would be slim since they just joined D-1, but they are in Pittsburgh (I don't know if they're closer to Philly than Princeton is or not, I'm just too lazy to look it up right now.)