The Forecheck: UConn's extensive history of outdoor games
The Huskies will travel to Boston for Frozen Fenway this weekend.
Welcome to the UConn Hockey Hub newsletter, which catches you up on all the stories, trends, and anything else you might have missed, along with some quick takes and leftover notes from the weekend.
UConn’s history with outdoor games
On Saturday, UConn men’s hockey will head up to Boston to play at iconic Fenway Park as part of Frozen Fenway. It’s the second time the Huskies have played at the ballpark and their third outdoor event in recent years.
Beyond those two games, UConn has a lengthy history of playing outdoors:
2017 - Frozen Fenway: 4-0 loss to Maine (Jan. 14)
The Huskies will look to score their first goal at Fenway Park on Saturday after being skunked in their last trip there. Maine’s Rob McGovern stopped all 31 shots he faced as UConn’s offense went quiet. Spencer Naas had the Huskies’ best chance early in the first period but other than that, there weren’t many noteworthy scoring opportunities.
2011 - Whalers Fest: 3-1 win over Sacred Heart (Feb. 13)
UConn’s first outdoor game as part of an event came at the home of the school’s football team: Rentschler Field. The Huskies took on in-state (and then Atlantic Hockey) rival Sacred Heart as part of the Whalers Hockey Festival. Then-freshman Cole Schneider — who went on to make a few cameos with the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL — scored two goals, including the game-winner.
It all reminded former UConn coach Bruce Marshall of the program’s old days when it played in the outdoor rink in Storrs. Marshall had plenty of experience with outdoor hockey after playing for the Huskies from 1982-85 and coaching them in the old rink from 1989-1998.
"When I got out there on the bench, and seeing all the (alumni), it was like, 'This is like the ice we used to skate on,'" Marshall told the New Haven Register.
UConn Ice Rink (1965-1998)
Before Freitas Ice Forum was built, UConn played every home game outdoors at the UConn Ice Rink. Located on the same footprint where Freitas now stands, the ice sheet was covered by a large wooden roof but open on the sides. There was also a Quonset hut built in the 1920s for staying warm nearby.
The new facility opened in 1965 and served as the Huskies’ home throughout their years in Division III. In 1998, the school tore it down and replaced it with Freitas Ice Forum as the program elevated to Division I.
We’ll have more on the original rink next week.
Week in review
From the UConn Hockey Hub:
From The UConn Blog:
Last Forecheck:
Three stars
First star: Hudson Schandor
Schandor scored the game-winner in overtime on Thursday and recorded three assists in the series for a total of four points on the weekend. The junior also put nine shots on goal across the two games. He’s up to three goals, 13 assists, and 16 points — the latter of which are second-most and third-most on the team, respectively.
Second star: Andrew Lucas
Like Schandor, Lucas scored on Thursday and also added three assists in the series. He built on his team-leading 16 helpers and is second on the squad with 18 points.
Third star: John Spetz
Spetz scored a pretty backhander in the win on Saturday and also got credited with an assist. After an inconsistent sophomore season, he’s re-established himself as UConn’s best two-way defenseman. Spetz has 10 points on two goals and eight assists but also leads the team with 35 blocks.
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