The 2024 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament kicked off in Springfield on Thursday, drawing hockey enthusiasts from various locations to Downtown Springfield. As soon as the games began, bars, restaurants, and shops experienced increased patronage from fans heading to the arena before the start of the games.
The tournament started with two exciting matchups at the MassMutual Center: UMass Minutemen facing off against the University of Denver Pioneers and Cornell Big Red competing against the University of Maine Black Bears. Prior to the games, fans were eager to grab a bite to eat and had shared a common need for sustenance. One UMass fan mentioned meeting up with friends at Theodore’s Blues, Booze, and Barbeque.
The restaurant welcomed all four hockey programs’ fans warmly, with signs inviting them to come in and dine. Co-owner Keith Makarowski shared that their doors opened early and were quickly filled with excited patrons looking forward to watching NCAA hockey matches and getting in some pre-game fun. Makarowski was wearing a University of Maine t-shirt that day because he received information from their alumni club about an upcoming surge in customers due to their presence in the tournament.
Although it was only the first night of tournament hockey in Springfield, another round was scheduled for Saturday night. Despite this being just one round of tournament action, Makarowski expressed his excitement for the continued support from fans who came out to cheer on their favorite teams. With UMass and UMaine playing close by, businesses like Theodore’s have greatly appreciated their presence in the tournament.
As the tournament continues onwards, Springfield businesses look forward to welcoming more fans and providing them with an unforgettable experience!
