April 25, 2013
BOSTON -
The Boston University men's ice hockey team will face Maine in the finale of Frozen Fenway 2014, a two-week series of hockey and ice skating events, as announced today by the City of Boston, the Hockey East Association and Fenway Sports Management (FSM).
Two Hockey East doubleheaders will take place in addition to two free public skating days for City of Boston residents. The Terriers will face the Black Bears on Saturday, Jan. 11, after UMass Lowell takes on Northeastern earlier in the day. On Saturday, Jan. 4, Merrimack will face Providence before Boston College takes on Notre Dame in the nightcap. Game times and ticket information for the two doubleheaders will be announced in the coming months.
In the inaugural Frozen Fenway on Jan. 8, 2010, the Terriers posted a 3-2 victory over archrival BC in front of 38,472 fans - the largest crowd to ever watch a college hockey game in the eastern United States.
"It's truly an honor to be part of Frozen Fenway once again," said BU assistant vice president and director of athletics Mike Lynch. "We couldn't have asked for a better night back in 2010 when we started this event against Boston College. We're thrilled to team up with Hockey East, Fenway Sports Management and the City of Boston for what should be another fantastic game against Maine in this edition's finale."
Frozen Fenway returned in 2012, highlighted by a Hockey East doubleheader involving Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
"Last year, more than 90,000 people came to Fenway Park to watch college and high school hockey or to enjoy free public skating," said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "This generated tens of millions of dollars for local business. I'm confident that top notch outdoor college hockey at Fenway Park will make for another unforgettable experience, drawing fans from across the region and serving as a major platform to showcase the people, culture and local businesses that make our city special."
"After the success of the Winter Classic in 2010 and the Frozen Fenway college games in 2012, hockey and skating are fast becoming winter traditions at Fenway Park," said FSM President and Red Sox EVP/COO Sam Kennedy. "We welcome back Hockey East and, along with the Mayor, look forward to once again having our beloved ballpark be host to college games, high school games, and to welcome various communities throughout New England to Fenway Park this winter."
The Black Bears and Terriers have played 119 times, with BU holding a 58-48-13 advantage in the all-time series. The Terriers own a 18-6-5 mark in the 29 meetings since the beginning of the 2005-06 season. The teams have faced off outdoors one other time as their first-ever meeting on Feb. 2, 1924, took place at an outdoor rink in Orono, Maine.
"We are excited about the return of hockey to Fenway Park," said Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna. "We are particularly pleased that with these two doubleheaders, all of our men's programs will have had the opportunity to experience Frozen Fenway, including the University of Notre Dame, our newest member."
