The NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament kicked off in Springfield on Thursday, drawing fans from across the country to Downtown Springfield. Local businesses have been thriving as a result of the influx of visitors, with bars, restaurants and shops in the area seeing an increase in customers.
In the first round of games, UMass Minutemen faced off against the University of Denver Pioneers while Cornell Big Red took on the University of Maine Black Bears at MassMutual Center. As fans made their way to the arena, they were all united by their need for food. UMass fan Michael Sacenti highlighted a meetup at MGM, showcasing the camaraderie among supporters.
Bars and restaurants in Downtown Springfield have been enjoying the business brought by the tournament. Signs in their windows have been inviting hockey fans in, with establishments like Theodore’s Blues, Booze and Barbeque seeing fans from all four hockey programs dine-in. Co-owner Keith Makarowski noted that tables were quickly filled after opening at 11 a.m., as fans got their pre-game meals.
Makarowski was wearing a University of Maine shirt despite his allegiance to UMaine being due to his affiliation with Black Bears rather than personal preference. The success of the first night has set the stage for an exciting finale on Saturday night at MassMutual Center. Local businesses are thrilled to see their community come together for NCAA hockey and are looking forward to continued influx of visitors throughout