Springfield, Massachusetts was buzzing with excitement on Thursday as the 2024 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament kicked off. Fans from all over the country flocked to Downtown Springfield to witness the action at the MassMutual Center.
Local businesses were thrilled to see an influx of visitors to their city and eagerly welcomed them with open arms. Bars, restaurants, and shops saw increased patronage from fans looking to fuel up before the games.
The first round of tournament hockey featured two exciting matchups: UMass Minutemen vs University of Denver Pioneers and Cornell Big Red vs University of Maine Black Bears. The energy in downtown Springfield was electric as fans gathered for pre-game meals.
One popular spot for hockey fans was Theodore’s Blues, Booze, and Barbeque. Co-owner Keith Makarowski shared that their doors opened early and were quickly filled with enthusiastic patrons eager to enjoy NCAA hockey and get in some pre-game fun. Makarowski, a fan of both UMass and UMaine, proudly displayed a t-shirt supporting Maine’s Black Bears club that evening.
Despite it being only the first night of tournament hockey in Springfield, businesses like Theodore’s are excited for the continued support from fans throughout the weekend. The close proximity of UMass and UMaine to their home turf has been greatly appreciated by local businesses who look forward to welcoming more fans into their establishments as the tournament continues on Saturday night.
