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Frozen Fenway Part Deux

Ok, so by now everyone has heard that Hockey East and the Boston Red Sox Organization are teaming up to showcase two more college hockey games this January at Fenway Park--UMass vs. UVM and the heated rivalry between UNH and UMaine-Orono.

After 2010's Winter Classic between the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins followed up by a classic clash of the Comm. Ave schools Boston University and Boston College, you could feel the envy emanating from UNH head coach Dick Umile as he sat in front of the media just days before the game. Looking at no one, he simply said, "They deserve it."

But anyone who knows Umile knows that when there's a dance with Jerry York and Jack Parker and he's not there--especially when it's down in Boston--he's not happy. When asked if he thought the rivalry between UNH and UMaine could fill out Fenway Park, he responded with "This rivalry is as good as any of them out there. It would certainly give them a run for their money."

His smile said it all on Friday when it was announced that the teams would play. He commented that returning back to the Boston area where he grew up and playing hockey at Fenway Park will be a shining moment in his 22-year coaching career. After suggesting last year that they play in the more local Lee Motor Speedway in Lee, N.H., he dove head first when given the opportunity to kick off the 100th Anniversary of the historic ballpark.

"Being from Boston, it doesn't get any better than playing at Fenway Park," Umile said. "We are honored to be a part of this experience and we are looking forward to the opportunity, as I'm sure Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine are."

The games will take place on January 7 with UVM playing UMass in the first of the two games at 4 p.m. followed by UNH and Maine at 7:30 p.m. The New England Sports Network (NESN) will be broadcasting both games as well as the Bruins/Vancouver Canucks earlier in the day for what Mayor Menino is calling "Hockey Day in New England."

Tickets go on sale September 13.
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