Cornell-BU Looking Forward to Red Hot Hockey Game

On Tuesday, October 2, Mike Schafer, the Cornell men's hockey coach, and Jack Parker, the head coach of Boston University's men's hockey team and the Boston University Executive Director of Athletics, held a joint conference call for the media for Red Hot Hockey, a game rekindling one of college hockey's oldest rivalries at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The two coaches were joined by prominent hockey alumni from both schools - Joe Nieuwendyk from Cornell and Chris Drury from Boston University. Below is a sampling of what they had to say about the upcoming game.

Boston University Executive Director of Athletics and Men's Hockey Coach Jack Parker
On the origins of this year's game:
We recently got a new president, and the administration wanted a way to have a splash function in New York City. They said, "it's too bad we can't have a hockey game," and we thought, "why not?" But we said the only way this game would have a chance of working would be if it was Cornell, because of the existing rivalry and the huge numbers of alums from both schools in the city... BU vs. Cornell anywhere would be a big story, but BU vs. Cornell at Madison Square Garden is huge.

On the advance ticket sales of the game
We're approaching 12,000 tickets sold. I think we were concerned about the game being on CSTV, that it might hurt the crowd, but that's clearly not the case. If we got between 6,000 and 7,000, I think we'd both be happy as far as the crowd was concerned.

On the atmosphere expected for the game
We'll be the home team as far as wearing the white sweaters, but we will not be the home team as far as the crowd is concerned. Cornell has a ton of fans coming.

On his most memorable game as a player
My most memorable game as a player was the 1967 ECAC Championship game at Boston Garden. We were ranked first, Cornell was second, and I think to this day, that was the largest crowd ever at the old Boston Garden. There were people sitting in the aisles.... It was a 4-3 Cornell win, and I think Kenny Dryden made 21 saves in the first period. We outshot them something like 52-25, and we had a real good team, but they handled us, bending but not breaking.

Cornell University Head Men's Hockey Coach Mike Schafer
On the possibility of selling out the game
With the alumni, our fans and BU's fans, it was a no-brainer that we were going to sell, but now we really want to shoot for the stars and try to sell this thing out. With all the red and white in the building, this will be special.

On facing a team like Boston University
It will be a real measuring stick to see what we have, and I'm excited as a coach to see how our guys will respond in this kind of environment.

On playing at Madison Square Garden
That was something we looked at a few years ago, and it's a great idea, but it just never worked out. This time, the administration jumped right on board, and we're excited about the experience it will provide the players and our fans. I know Madison Square Garden holds a special place in Joe's heart, since it was the place he played his first NHL game for the Calgary Flames against the New York Rangers.

Cornell Alumnus Joe Nieuwendyk
On what this game means for college hockey
One of the things I'm learning in this new line of work for me is that a lot of people value college hockey very highly. Scouts are looking at college players a lot more today than they were even five years ago. The response for this game has been great around the hockey world - it'll be terrific for the kids, and with the high exposure, there's going to be a lot of excitement from both teams.

On the excitement surrounding the game
With the venue in Manhattan, and over Thanksgiving, knowing the kids and how excited they must be, I know they're looking forward to it. It should be a great time for all involved.

Boston University Alumnus Chris Drury
On being able to attend the game
I'm thrilled that we (the NY Rangers) will be home that weekend, that my family and my extended family can attend and see a great game at a great arena.