by Tim Rosenthal
In another new installment, I will be providing a weekly top five of any aspect of college hockey. This week, let's take a look at the teams with the best home ice advantage in college hockey.
#5 Lynah Rink-Home of the Cornell Big Red
One of two legendary on-campus arenas in the top five, Lynah Rink in Ithaca, New York, is home of some of the most clever fans in college hockey. With newspaper reading, fish throwing, c-ya chants, and of course the ever so popular, sieve chant. It is a tough environment to play in with a great student section, and a loyal alumni base. It's tough to get a ticket in this joint, with seating capacity at 4,267.
Rival: Harvard
#4 Agganis Arena-Home of the Boston University Terriers
Built just in time for the new year in 2005, Agganis Arena is a state of the art rink, with a lot of amenities. A Wall-of-Fame featuring the tradition at BU, and some other nice features help make this one special.
Let's not forget the student sections. The two student sections are right on top of the goaltender, for the purpose of getting under the goaltenders skin. With the sieve sign at one end in red and white and the goalie sign in white and red, even the casual hockey fan would think that is clever.
This is truly the best home ice in Hockey East
Rival: Boston College
#3 Mariucci Arena-Home of the University of Minnesota
Voted one of the top 10 venues in college sports by Sports Illustrated this venue is a great game to watch a hockey game.
In "The State of Hockey" the Gophers are one of the biggest draws in the state. The arena, built in 1993, seats exactly 10,000 people, and the atmosphere is great. The fans are into the game, the band is always there. A little downside here, is that there is no sieve chant at all, but nevertheless it is number three on the countdown.
Rival(s): Wisconsin, Minnesota-Duluth, North Dakota
#2 Yost Ice Arena-Home of the Michigan Wolverines
This almost made the top spot, but missed by a whisker. With the c-ya chant for a visiting team penalty (also done by Cornell), as well as one of the greatest bands and fight songs, Hail to the Victors, makes this a great place to watch a game.
The fans fill the arena, and the crowd is energetic. The only thing that is missing is the size, at only 6,637.
Rival: Michigan State
#1 Kohl Center-Home of the Wisconsin Badgers
This arena has everything you would want. Capacity (15,237), great, loyal fan base, and the most enthusiastic student section in all of college hockey.
The Wisconsin sieve chant might be a little too much, but it's still is the best by far. Even when a goalie makes a great save, the whole arena chants sieve.
Now let's get to the students. Do they ever leave their seats during a game? I don't think that they do with the band playing Tequila and other great party songs during the intermissions, the student section seems to enjoy every minute of it, dancing the night away. Well at least at the Kohl Center they do so.
Anyway, loyalty is the name of the game, and if the Badgers I think rank number one in this category. Season Tickets are a must if you are to go to a game. Otherwise, it will be a tough ticket.
Rivals: Minnesota, North Dakota
Youtube these fans, and you'll see why they are ranked. Until next week, let's keep the puck rolling!
REA
Have you not seen Ralph Englestead Arena? It is one of the Best facilities in the country including Pro arenas. Even the Wild were overwhlemed when they practiced thier this season.