Red Hot Hockey Re-ignites at Madison Square Garden

Photo by Patrick Shanahan

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Following the sold-out success of the 2007 contest, Boston University Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Mike Lynch and Cornell University’s Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education Andy Noel announced today that Red Hot Hockey will burn again at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2009, as Boston University and Cornell resume an 85 year-old rivalry in a non-conference NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey match-up.

Tickets for the next incarnation of Red Hot Hockey are now on sale directly through Ticketmaster. Fans will have the opportunity to buy tickets in any of the following categories: Best Available, Boston University Fan Section, or the Cornell University Fan Section.

“This is an exciting opportunity to return to the Big Apple for what only can be described as a big game against one of our biggest rivals,” said Lynch. “Thousands of alumni from both schools sold out the first edition of Red Hot Hockey, and many more have been asking if we could bring another game to New York City. We are excited that BU-Cornell will return to Madison Square Garden, and we encourage fans to purchase their tickets and make their travel accommodations for Manhattan as soon as possible.”

The inaugural Red Hot Hockey event, in front of 18,200 passionate students, alumni, parents and fans, was a resounding success. Held on November 24, 2007, it marked the first time a collegiate hockey game had sold out the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” and featured the attendance of prominent alumni from both schools, including members of the 1980 gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic hockey team Mike Eruzione, Jack O’Callahan and David Silk from Boston University, as well as former NHL great and Cornell alum, Joe Nieuwendyk.

"I am thrilled to continue the great rivalry with Boston University,” Noel said. “They are currently ranked #1 in the nation and are one of the finest teams in collegiate ice hockey. This game provides terrific competition for our athletes and represents a major event for our alumni and friends in the metro-New York area.”

Both schools are perennial college hockey powerhouses. Boston University, which has sat atop the national polls for much of the 2008-09 season and is currently ranked #1 in the nation, has won the national championship four times (1971, 1972, 1978 and 1995), while Cornell, currently ranked #12 in the nation, has claimed the title twice (1967, 1970). Combined, the two schools have seen 80 former players forge careers in the National Hockey League, including the likes of current Rangers captain Chris Drury, Keith Tkachuk and Tony Amonte (Boston University), as well as Doug Murray, Ken Dryden and Joe Nieuwendyk (Cornell).

"We are excited that two of college hockey's most storied programs will return to The Garden," said Joel Fisher, executive vice president, Madison Square Garden Sports. "The 2007 match-up was sold out proving that college hockey has a place in New York City. We are proud to welcome back Boston University and Cornell University to Madison Square Garden, and look forward to hosting this storied match-up once again."

The BU–Cornell rivalry began on Jan. 10, 1925, with a 7-2 victory by the Terriers, and includes two match-ups in the NCAA title game (1967, 1972). However, the schools met only sporadically since BU left the ECAC to join Hockey East in 1984-85 before the initial Red Hot Hockey event in 2007. Madison Square Garden, home to the NHL’s Rangers and NBA’s Knicks, will once again serve as the venue to showcase the next chapter in this storied rivalry.

“Obviously, it was a tremendous event last time, getting these two storied programs together at Madison Square Garden,” said Cornell head coach Mike Schafer. “It was great to see the support from the fans that made this game a tough ticket to get last time around, and it’ll be exciting to get back down there and play in front of another great crowd.”

“Getting BU and Cornell fans to fill up Madison Square Garden last time was something special,” said BU head coach Jack Parker, whose 808 career wins rank second among active NCAA Division I college hockey coaches. “It was special for the fans and I know it was special for the players. It’s a great venue and a great showcase for college hockey, and we’re looking forward to creating that kind of excitement and energy once again.”

TICKET INFORMATION
Fans can purchase tickets either via Ticketmaster or through the Cornell Athletic Ticket Office during normal business hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Fans purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster can select seats in the Cornell fan section, while all tickets purchased through the Cornell Ticket Office will be in the Cornell section.
***Due to the high demand for this game, fans are advised there may be delays and/or lengthy hold times when ordering by phone through the Cornell Ticket Office (607-254-2327). Fans may also purchase tickets either in person at the Cornell Ticket Office or through Ticketmaster.