On Sun, 10 Nov 1996, Carol S White wrote:
 
> I had the interesting experience of having a Sioux fan sitting next to
> me on Saturday night....I think that she was pretty bold, for sitting
> in a decidely Minnesota section and making disparaging remarks about
> how the Gophers were getting away with murder on the ice, because they
> "were in their own barn"!  Good thing I was in a pleasant mood, as I
> could have given her a piece of my mind or two!!! Not a good idea to
> trash talk when you are outnumbered in the opposing team's arena.
>
Interesting observation.  In Europe they segregate the fans of different
sides to avoid violent confrontations at football matches. (I mean real
football, not the lame game called such in North America).  I would hate
to see that happen here.  As long as we are talking about good natured
banter there should be no problem IMO.  In Boston it is certainly more
common I assume than at sold out Minnesota for there to be a lot of road
fans in a rink.  I used to go to all Hockey East games for BU except for
Maine and be able to sleep in my own bed each night.  I'd also attend a
few "neutral" games at NU, BC, and Harvard.  I'd recognize the familiar
faces of the HOCKEY fans who would do this.  At BU it was nice to run into
fans of the other team as they would usually be more knowledgeable about
their team than I'd be.
 
I would not want college hockey to have a similar atmosphere to that I
found at Boston Garden for the Bruins where I would not take my wife
because I root for the Rangers and too many unpleasant, to say the least,
scenes happened with the intoxicated and aggressive fans.
 
Arthur Berman [log in to unmask]
GO BU!!! GO ICE!!! GO GOLDEN BEARS (2-0 v. WCHA)!!!
 
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