The Mullins Center (right) in Amherst want to let the visiting team know exactly how they feel about them.
There rarely is a bigger game on any athlete’s schedule then the game against the rival team. The rivalry game is the one that is circles on every athlete's calendar. A rivalry game can bring out the best of the already elite players. All the hatred built up over the course of the season tends to be unleashed when a rival appears on the schedule.
However, there is more then just one reason that makes a player and a fan’s blood boil when their arch enemy comes into town.
Rivalries are created for many reasons. The pursuit of a ridiculous trophy, a battle for bragging rights in a certain area of the country, or the fact that the same team seems to stand in the way of a quest for a championship every year. The biggest rivalries are formed from all of those factors.
The two names that stand out in terms of college hockey rivals are Boston College and Boston University. A rivalry commonly referred to as the Green Line Rivalry, or the Battle of Commonwealth Avenue, the Terriers and Eagles have seven national championships, and 43 Beanpot championships between them. Neither team can earn a trophy without the other team standing in their way.
“There is no better rivalry in hockey then BC vs. BU,” said Shawn Vernon, a former student at Boston University. “The students always knew when the Eagles were coming down Commonwealth Ave, and we wanted to be ready for them.”
Fans at Kelley Rink in Boston College can not stand the cheers of Boston University fans.
The rivalry is not just on the ice, however. Every time two rival teams meet, the fans for each side take shots at each other and the players from in the stand. While no fan wants to be embarassed by their team's perofrmance, having this happen in front of the rival crowd is the worst. Michael Healey, a junior and season ticket holder to Boston College says there are no worse fans then BU.
“At least when any other teams bring their fans it is to cheer on their own team,” he said. “All BU fans do is try to annoy us, and tell us why we are going to lose.”
Schools in the Boston area have a larger history of championships, but the fight to prove that their team is the best still exists. For some the fun of the rivalry may not be as much on the ice as it is in the crowds.
Matt Lee, a junior from UMass Amherst, likes to prove that his school is the best at showing their pride towards their team, even if they are not at the top of the standings.
“My school (UMass Amherst has the best chants and greatest spirit,” he said “Other fans that come to our arena can not top our noise.”
Fans say the worst thing that can happen is that their rival is able to make a factor in crowd noise and atmosphere. Fans here at the Tsongas Arena have seen this happen a few times too many in the past. This year, with the average attendance up by an extra 700 fans it is no longer a problem.
John Edson, a junior at UMass Lowell, feels as though the Tsongas Arena can be one of the toughest places to play.
“Sitting in the student section in the middle of it all is nothing short of electrifying,” he said. “The Tsongas is the best place to play. I dare any other fans to come to our place and try to drown out our fans now.”
Although everyone hates their rival fans, they are the thing that keep the game interesting, and one of the reasons to keep attending.
"There is no better feeling then being able to shut up the other team's crowd. You know once that happens it means you have one two different battles," Edson said.
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