The 2024 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament is well underway in Springfield, with hockey fans from all over the country flocking to Downtown Springfield. Local businesses are reaping the benefits of this influx of visitors, with bars, restaurants, and shops seeing an increase in customers as fans head to the arena for the games.
The tournament’s opening games were nothing short of excitement, with UMass Minutemen facing off against the University of Denver Pioneers, and Cornell Big Red taking on the University of Maine Black Bears at the MassMutual Center. Before the teams hit the ice, fans were united in their need for food. Michael Sacenti, a UMass fan, spoke about a UMass meetup at MGM highlighting the camaraderie among supporters.
Bars and restaurants in Downtown Springfield have been enjoying the business brought by the NCAA hockey tournament. Signs in their windows have been inviting hockey fans in, with establishments like Theodore’s Blues, Booze & Barbeque seeing fans from all four hockey programs dine in. Co-owner Keith Makarowski noted that tables were quickly filled after opening at 11 a.m., as fans got their pre-game meals.
Makarowski was wearing a University of Maine shirt but clarified that it wasn’t due to his allegiance to the team. The Black Bears had contacted him promising to bring customers his way leading him to represent UMaine. The first night of tournament hockey was just the beginning, with more games scheduled for Saturday night at MassMutual.
Makarowski expressed excitement for the upcoming games and support from fans of UMass and UMaine. He mentioned that local businesses were thrilled to see community come together for NCAA hockey and looking forward to continued influx of visitors throughout tournament weekend
