Bridgeport or Manchester: A Regional Dilemma

White it is looking forward a bit, it is pretty safe to say that Boston University will be making it to the NCAA tournament.  Running through the pairwise, there really is no way that the Terriers can be excluded.  However, something that can still be determined is WHERE the Terriers will be going to play their regional game(s).  Right now, it’s pretty much narrowed down to the two Eastern Regionals, the Northeast Regional in Manchester, NH, and the East Regional in Bridgeport, CT.

Reading the USCHO fan forum (which I highly suggest if you’re interested in college hockey), there is some pretty intense debate as to where BU fans would prefer to go for Regionals.  There are good arguements for each, but in the end it will be what the committee thinks will be best for the gate.  My personal opinion is that the Terriers should go to Manchester.  It’s a closer ride, and I think that it will be easier for a lot of BU fans to make it there.  That being said, there is a large group of BU alumni in the Tri-State area that would be able to make the Regional in Bridgeport.

Another reason why I’d prefer Manchester over Bridgeport is the town.  Nothing against Bridgeport, but I’ve been there before and its not the nicest place to be.  I’ve never been to Manchester, but I think that it’d be a better place to go.  C’mon NCAA.. help me out with gas costs here!

A lot also depends on how the other Hockey East schools fare.  With New Hampshire as a host in the Northeast Regional, they are already a guarantee to be in Manchester if they make it (which they should).  If they drop to a #4 seed, that will be an issue, as the committee likes to avoid inter-conference matchups in the first round of the NCAAs.  In that case, I would suspect BU to be in Bridgeport.  UNH did not help this by losing their series to Boston College last weekend, not that I’m bitter about that or anything!

In the end, I’m grateful to be in the Tournament.  This is a strong BU team, and I hope that they make the most of it.  A National Championship is not out of reach this year.  Let’s make it happen.

Where would you rather have BU placed?  Discuss in the comments.. I’d love to hear what you think!

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