On Thursday, the 2024 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament began in Springfield, with hockey fans from all over flocking to Downtown Springfield. The influx of visitors has been a huge boost for local businesses in the area, with bars, restaurants and shops seeing an increase in customers as fans made their way to the arena for the games.
The tournament’s opening games featured some exciting matchups. The UMass Minutemen took on the University of Denver Pioneers, while the Cornell Big Red faced off against the University of Maine Black Bears at the MassMutual Center. Fans were excited to get their pre-game meals before hitting the ice, and UMass fan Michael Sacenti highlighted a meetup at the MGM where supporters could come together to cheer on their team.
Bars and restaurants in Downtown Springfield have been thriving thanks to the NCAA hockey tournament. Signs in their windows have been inviting fans in, with establishments like Theodore’s Blues, Booze, and Barbeque seeing visitors from all four hockey programs dine in. Co-owner Keith Makarowski noted that tables filled up quickly after opening at 11 a.m., as fans got their pre-game meals. Although Makarowski was wearing a University of Maine shirt, it wasn’t due to his allegiance to the team – he had been contacted by them and promised they would bring customers his way. The first night of tournament hockey was just the beginning – more games are scheduled for Saturday night at MassMutual Centre.
Makarowski is looking forward to