On Wed, 25 Sep 1991 17:01:57 GMT Mike Machnik said:
>
>I am also curious about how the Gophers are losing the home-ice advantage.
>The rinks are the same size, right?
 
Erik has already pointed out that the Mariucci Arena ice is a bit larger
than your standard ice sheet.  But its more than just that.  The "Old
Barn" (as Mariucci is know as) is an interesting venue to say the least.
First and foremost, it is the Gopher's home.  It has Minnesota history
written all over it.  The Met Center is the home of the North Stars.
Even the seats are green and gold.  When it comes to playing our arch-
rivals from across the border, the Mariucci-ice-advantage plays a
key role.  I too am very disappointed that they are moving the game to
Bloomington.
 
Actually, that brings up another subject.  I never went to North Star
games because it was way the heck out there.  Especially difficult
when I didn't own a car.  Moving the Gopher game out there may prevent
a lot of the students who live on or near campus from getting to the
game.
 
On the subject of Minnesota's new arena:  I am 100% behind it.  While
Mariucci has a lot of history to it, it is also a fire trap and the sight
lines for many of the seats are horrendous!!!  Yes, a new arena will not
hold the same kind of history that the Old Barn has; but it won't take
long for the team and the fans to make a little history of their own in
the new building.
 
Gary Thomas
Arizona State University '9?
Univ. of Minn. '89