The NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament kicked off in Springfield on Thursday night, bringing together hockey fans from all over to Downtown Springfield. As the influx of visitors to the heart of Springfield continued, local businesses saw a surge in patronage from fans heading to the arena before the games began.
The tournament started with two exciting matchups – UMass Minutemen versus University of Denver Pioneers and Cornell Big Red versus University of Maine Black Bears at the MassMutual Center. Fans were eager to share their excitement before the games, with one UMass fan meeting up for a meal at the MGM. Bars and restaurants in downtown Springfield welcomed hockey enthusiasts warmly, with signs urging them to come inside and enjoy the festivities.
Theodore’s Blues, Booze, and Barbeque was a popular spot for hockey fans looking for food and drinks. Co-owner Keith Makarowski shared that they opened early and quickly filled up with excited patrons eager to catch some NCAA action and have some pre-game fun. Makarowski, wearing a Maine Black Bears t-shirt, revealed that he had received information from the alumni club about an upcoming increase in customers due to Maine’s participation in the tournament.
Despite being only on its first night, there is already excitement building around this year’s tournament in Springfield. With another round scheduled for Saturday night, local businesses are looking forward to welcoming even more fans into their establishments and providing them with an unforgettable experience.