Enhanced rivalries?

The national attention won't arrive in South Bend until Saturday afternoon. The annual Holy War game between Boston College and Notre Dame is certainly the main course of the rivalry weekend between the two schools.
But in recent years, a hockey meeting between the two national powers has usually served as an appetizer and in some cases dessert. Tonight many of the BC fans that traveled to South Bend will get to see the No. 14-ranked Eagles and No. 9 Irish play hockey.

It's an idea that other New England schools should copy. Four different schools - New Hampshire, Maine, Northeastern and UMass - play in Hockey East and football in the Colonial Athletic Association's North Division.

New Hampshire visited UMass in football on Oct. 24. Less than a month later the Wildcats will be in Amherst for two hockey games on Nov. 13 and 14. Why not play the two sports on the same weekend? If the two leagues coordinated schedules, the atmosphere and paying crowds for each sport could be enhanced.

Few of the New England FCS schools travel more than a few dozen fans to road games in either football or hockey and Durham, Amherst and Orono aren't exactly weekend getaways for most. But a three-game weekend might make shelling out for a hotel more palatable to many fans. Bus trips, tailgating and other organized fan gatherings would most certainly follow.

Scott Meyer of the CAA and Pete Souris of Hockey East each said schedule coordination hasn't been discussed.

Obviously the schools involved, as well as the two conferences, would need to cooperate for this to happen. Meyer said the CAA has already begun scheduling conference games for the 2011 season so Hockey East would need to schedule some games further in advance. The arenas at UMass and UNH are used for sports other than hockey and non-sporting events as well. The coaches might need some convincing as well.

But these aren't difficult hurdles and the pay off seems worth it.
HOCKEY LINKS

The New England Hockey Journal profiles Merrimack's Stephane Da Costa heading into weekend action.

Boston College at Notre Dame
After last week's loss to Vermont, Eagles hope to build momentum.

Boston University vs. Michigan
Already at 0-2, defending champion Terriers try to find momentum.

UMass vs. Maine
With games at UMass and New Hampshire, Maine is preparing for play on larger ice surfaces.
Minutemen hoping to build off last week's win over BU.

New Hampshire vs. Northeastern
The Concord Monitor previews UNH and the rest of the conference heading into the first full weekend of Hockey East games.

Vermont vs Merrimack
Vermont isn't underestimating the Warriors.