Red Hot Hockey: Terriers, Big Red Clash at Madison Square Garden this weekend BU Today

Big Apple’s historic Madison Square Garden will be full of red this Saturday, Nov. 27, when Red Hot Hockey, a biennial men’s hockey racer between Boston University and Cornell, returns.

“I’ve heard it’s going to get a lot of audiences,” says the New York native Max Kaufman (SHA’22), Terrier Assistant Captain. “It’s great to see so many people coming out to support university hockey teams in probably the most iconic arena in the world.”

BU blueliner and New York Rangers fan Dom Fensore (SHA’23) played in the latest version of Red Hot Hockey in 2019, when Cornell won over 15,000 fans. “It was fun,” Fensore says, and while the result didn’t go the way of BU, “I remember the audience was going crazy. As a kid, going to Ranger games, playing garden ice was my dream. “

Now, two years later, Fensore leads the terrier by eight feed points during the first 14 matches and is eager to make an impact under the bright lights of the Garden. “Right now as a junior, there’s a lot more self-confidence,” he says. “I hope we win this time and hopefully I get the goal.”

Eight of BU’s current skaters played in that game, so there are plenty of like-minded terriers trying to draw even after the 2019 defeat, BU’s second consecutive loss in the race after winning three times and leveling twice in the first five matches at Big. with. Red. (This year is the eighth event.)

Cornell is still as awesome an opponent as ever, holding a 7-1 record so far this season, while BU is 4-8-2. “The record may not show it,” Kaufman says, “but our state of mind, mood and self-confidence are the highest throughout the year. We come out, work really hard in practice and learn to play for each other – we want to be on this right path.”

The Terriers have taken opponents to overtime in four consecutive games, twice against the University of Massachusetts and twice last weekend against Northeastern.

Head coach Albie O’Connell (CAS’99) says the excitement of Madison Square is a win-win for both players and spectators. “It’s a great opportunity for our friends and fans,” O’Connell says. – The kind of place, that game and that stage – the guys are definitely ready to go to it.

Red Hot Hockey offers the opportunity to compete against a top-level opponent and gives players with families in the New York subway area the opportunity to get together over the Thanksgiving weekend.

“I have a lot of family and friends trying to get into the game,” Fensore says. “My grandparents don’t see me playing much live, so I think they’re there.”

It is also an opportunity for the region’s alumni to come together and celebrate the BU traditions. The BU Alumni Association hosts a before the game for all terriers in Stout NYC, a popular restaurant / bar less than a block from the arena starting at 6pm Tickets for the event are sold separately from game tickets that can be purchased online here.

The eighth installment of Red Hot Hockey begins Saturday, Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. All guests 12 years of age and older at Madison Square Garden must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination; Vaccinated fans don’t have to wear a mask in the arena. Fans at home can follow the activity at @BUGameDay On Twitter. The game will also be broadcast live online.