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So about that whole Frozen Fenway 2014 thing? Looks like the Eagles may, in fact, have a seat at the table next winter. According to the CHN's Mike McMahon, the preliminary plan is for Boston College to face Notre Dame in the nightcap with Merrimack, Providence and Lowell all likely to be included.
"According to several people, Merrimack College is likely to be involved in the event should it be approved and planned.
The preliminary plan, as I've been told by several sources, is for Boston College and Notre Dame to play in the nightcap with Merrimack and Providence likely the early game. UMass Lowell is likely to get a game as well.
The plan would give Merrimack, Providence and Lowell - the three teams who have yet to participate in the event - a game on the Fenway ice."
Essentially, the league has to have either BC or BU involved in order for this event to be a success. This plan also seems consistent with Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna's spread-the-wealth philosophy behind this event. The Eagles would likely be sacrificing one of two home games with the Irish -- in Notre Dame's first season as a member of Hockey East -- so that Merrimack, Providence and Lowell would get a chance to skate at America's Most Beloved Ballpark.
This will certainly come off as arrogant Boston College hockey fan, but count me among those opposed to this idea. Why should the Eagles give up home ice advantage in one of only two regular season meetings with the Irish to enable Frozen Fenway 3.0? As claver2010 pointed out, the Eagles were unbeaten at home during the entire 2012 calendar year (14-0-1).
If you tell me this is going to be a Notre Dame home game or a non-conference game, I might be more inclined to get on board. Still, this event has lost a lot of its luster and it's time to try something new. If we are going to continue with this whole outdoor hockey thing, I can think of several better ideas than regular season HEA hockey at Fenway Park -- a game at Alumni, Harvard Stadium or moving the Beanpot to Fenway as a one-off (which would more than double the Garden's capacity).