Pennsylvania only has one NCAA Division 1 hockey program. In 2013, that program will host the first men’s Frozen Four in the state’s history, as the NCAA announced on Tuesday that the Robert Morris Colonials will host that year’s event at Pittsburgh’s new CONSOL Energy Center.
Pennsylvania Bound: NCAA Awards 2013 Frozen Four To Pittsburgh, 2014 Event To Philadelphia
In 2014, the event will stay in the Keystone State, as ECAC Hockey will host the same event at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, formerly known as the Wachovia Center.
Both cities have lobbied for this event several times, and according to our own Western College Hockey Blog, Philly landing the event is a bit of coup.
Pittsburgh was pretty much a given from the get-go, with a brand new arena and a burgeoning hockey market bolstered by recent success of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Philadelphia's winning bid can be considered a bit of an upset. Philly tried very hard for a Frozen Four bid last time Frozen Fours were handed out, and ended up getting turned down. Assuming transportation doesn't end up being an issue and people aren't just stuck in a giant parking lot all weekend, it could be a pretty nice venue.
I'm a little surprised that the Frozen Four will be headed to Pennsylvania two years in a row, but taken individually, each city should provide a great venue, so I can't see any need to spread them out.
While Robert Morris is located just outside of Pittsburgh, none of Philadelphia’s six D1 schools have varsity ice hockey programs, although several have club programs. The closest team to Philadelphia is the Princeton Tigers, who play in the ECAC.
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