When my wife and I entered the Verizon Center, we were team-agnostic. Sure, we both were rooting for the Little Engine that Could, Bemidji State, as the uber-underdogs… but really, all we wanted was to see two good hockey games.
Well, until we sat down for the second game.
Our seats were in Row G of Section 423 for the tourney and, other than our fellow Caps-season-ticketholder neighbors Angie and Jason to the right, the entire section was filled with Boston University fans. Honest, I’m not exaggerating — everyone we could see, from the front of the section to about 6 rows from the back at least, wore the red and white of BU. And were they ever vocal!
We knew we were in for a fun game when Wes was announcing Vermont’s starting lineup, as witnessed in the following video as BU fans “welcomed” each Vermont player:
Any fan in the section who shouted something inevitably led to loud chanting pretty much immediately. And we were swept up in the excitement.
The evening’s college-hockey-themed entertainment ranged from the traditional “[shout player's name here, repeat], you suck!” to lots of BU-related chants to shouting “Yipyipyip!” every time BU player Brandon Yip had the puck. They also sang along with the marching band. Singalongs included “Livin’ on a Prayer”, “Don’t Stop Believin” and “Never Gonna Give You Up” — not so sure the Rick Astley was a good choice… given the age of most of our fellow fans, they might have been conceived to that song.
Perhaps my favorite moment of the night was when our section started a seemingly impromptu meta-chant: “WE are CHANting!” *clap*clap*clapclapclap*
Frankly, we had very little idea whether the rest of the arena was mostly silent or not — we were truly surrounded by the loudest fans in the Phone Booth. It was actually shocking the first time Vermont scored, when Catamount (and likely Miami) fans voiced their approval… it was the first time we’d heard anything outside our section.
The game itself was a barn-burner, but being among such devoted fans made the night that much better. The only time their passion presented a problem was when Security went row to row and made everyone sit down. As you can image, fans who usually stand for entire games were not particularly happy with these instructions, leading to the only bad-vibe moments of the night.
The fans’ best response to this sit-or-leave demand was to point at the Vermont section in the 100-level — a section filled with green and yellow, all standing — and chant “DOUBle STANdard!” I felt bad for the usher (who was only doing his job), but perhaps the better solution would have been to relocate the couple fans at the back who were complaining when 99% of the section wanted to stand.
Despite this blip, the energy level of the section never wavered. One of the best chants: within seconds after each Vermont goal, the BU fans started an enthusiastic “Go B U” chant. No extended wailing or gnashing of teeth in this group… just a shout of dismay, then pick yourself back up and support your team.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock for BU’s 5-4 comeback victory, there was much hugging and high-fiving in Section 423. Am I looking forward to Saturday night’s game? You bet I am.
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I didn’t realize you were in 423 as well, I was in row M – The first row that was NOT BU students – and the first row of people sitting. I didn’t even care that I couldn’t see the game. It was awesome. The chanting the ‘YIPING’ it was so memorable. Reminded me a lot of college football atmosphere in the south. Simply awesome. (I’m down with chanting ‘BC Sucks’)
We did move to the lower level to watch the 3rd period, and let me say you could hear sec 423 LOUD and CLEAR.
I can’t wait for Saturday night as well. It’ll be a good time.
As a Northeastern student, I truly despise BU. But that’s cool that they made the trip (I suppose). I would’ve headed home and found tickets had NU made it that far.
Also, chanting like that and standing the whole time is pretty normal at at any college hockey game, only natural it would be at the Frozen Four as well.
From where I was sitting, kind of across the ice from you, we had a pretty good survey of the land. Each of the lower corners of the 100s was team designated (which ws actually a pretty good idea I thought). In the upper deck, there were a couple concentrated sections — one of which you happened to be in.
For the second game, I think more fans throughout the arena were cheering for UVM, but the BU groups were more constant in their noise.
It also is that BU and UVM were much more familiar with each other than the first game. Some of the taunts in the crowd were very team-specific.
The first game the crowd definitely seemed more pro-Bemidji. (And it was good to see so many of their fans stuck around for the second game after their 28-hr bus ride — lots of the Miami fans left).
I picked up the Miami post-goal heckle.
And it’s amazing how many colleges do basically the same things and think they’re unique. Turning your back during the other team’s intros (and naturally pointing and shouting sucks, or seive). Fake-reading newspapers. Standing for the whole game.
And more pro sports should have a pep band.
DEMODAZE: I know the standing-chanting is normal at college hockey games, but obviously not at NHL games. I haven’t been in the middle of the college hockey atmosphere since a Maine Black Bears game in Orono about 10 years ago.
GROOVEN: Excellent observations, thanks — and I agree about the pep band, that was a great touch.
VT: See you Saturday!
Too true, I only get to go to 3 NHL games a year though (2 times when the Caps are in Boston, and one when I’m home for Thanksgiving) so I guess I’m more used to the college hockey routine these days.
Really, truly, beyond upset that NU didn’t make it to DC. Would’ve been amazing, I’m sure.
Someone should have dragged Debbie Yow (Maryland’s AD) out to Verizon this weekend. It’s a shame that the Terps don’t have D-1 Mens and Women’s hockey.
Hell, Cole Field House would be a freaking hockey CATHEDRAL if they converted it!
I’ve never been to a college game, but have watched a bunch on the MidWest Fox channels. I love hearing the pep-bands and the chanting. Very different atmosphere from NHL.
I mean could you imagine “Hey! YOU SUCK” chanted from a Cole Field hockey crowd after a Terps goal? That place would be an amazing hockey barn.
A Fond Photographic Farewell to the Frozen Four
As detailed in my wee-hours Friday morning post, my wife and I were in Section 423 for the Frozen Four — and most of the section was filled with Boston University students. We had an absolute blast Thursday night… so you can imagine, given the unbel…
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