BOSTON – The road to get into Matthews Enviornment on Saturday night time was lengthy, to say the least.
Hundreds had been ready to catch Northeastern College’s newest Hockey East conflict with archrival Boston College, however this time it wasn’t for an bizarre recreation.
It was the ultimate time the Huskies would take the ice at their historic facility. NU misplaced to the Terriers, 4-3, however for as soon as the ultimate rating was a mere footnote to a historic night time.
Matthews Enviornment is a Boston landmark, one of many oldest of its type within the nation. It has hosted historic athletic occasions, generational live shows and even presidential rallies. The stadium is slated to be demolished in 2026. A brand new facility is scheduled to be constructed as an alternative in time for the 2028-2029 athletic season.
Tons of of gamers have taken the ice for Northeastern, together with Adam Reid. Reid performed for Northeastern from 2011-15. Initially from California, he was a member of former Huskies coach and present Director of Athletics Jim Madigan’s first recruiting courses, and aided the college’s resurgence within the Hockey East. He shortly got here to name the college his residence away from residence.
A decade later, Reid broadcasts hockey video games repeatedly for Northeastern, and sat down for his closing name on the historic rink.
“Coming to Matthews, I had little or no contact with its historical past,” mentioned Reid. “However I’ve been actually touched by all people I’ve met, whose youngsters have performed right here, or their dad and mom have performed right here. A number of generations of households have hung out (right here), and have recollections at Matthews Enviornment. To me, that’s fairly cool. You don’t see very many rinks the place you may play your youth hockey, watch faculty hockey, then watch your child play 30 years later.”
Matthews Enviornment was constructed in 1910, two years earlier than Fenway Park got here into existence lower than a mile away. That yr, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech on the tight-knit area, kick-starting effectively over a century of recollections there. Fellow presidents Howard Taft, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy additionally held rallies on the acclaimed web site. Dubbed Boston Enviornment for a lot of its existence, the venue was devoted to longtime Northeastern Board Chairman George Matthews and his spouse, Hope, in 1982.
Matthews Enviornment was additionally the unique residence of the Boston Bruins from 1924-28, when the group was first setting its roots within the metropolis as an Authentic Six group.
Saturday’s recreation itself was a spectacle for followers in attendance. Previous to a ceremonial puck drop, the college welcomed Bruins vocalist Todd Angilly to the world. He delivered a unbelievable rendition of the Nationwide Anthem earlier than a sellout crowd.
In becoming vogue, Northeastern (10-6-0) jumped in entrance simply moments into play as Jacob Mathieu tipped a shot residence to offer the Huskies an early 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Tyler Fukakusa sniped a aim, as Northeastern seized a 2-0 lead with 5:24 remaining within the first interval.
It was an unforgettable second for Gary Fay, who has definitely had loads of ideas himself on the rink. Fay performed highschool hockey at Brookline earlier than persevering with his profession at Boston College from 1973-77. He later coached at Northeastern from 1978-86.
“I performed all my highschool hockey right here,” mentioned a chuckling Fay. “That was when it had fence, no glass. However they nonetheless had the most effective french fries on this planet.”
Fay started to look again upon all of his favourite moments at Matthews.
“It’s so much,” Fay mentioned. “There’s lots of recollections right here, not solely taking part in for BU, however teaching at Northeastern for eight years. We received the Beanpot for the primary time in 1980, then in 1982, received the ECAC and made it to the Frozen 4. Then, successful back-to-back Beanpots in ‘84 and ‘85. I received extra Beanpots teaching right here than I did taking part in at BU, so this place makes me (emotional). It’s a really unhappy day.”
Tom Bivona was recruited by Fay again in his heyday, and performed for Northeastern from 1986-90. The 2 reunited in Northeastern’s Alumni part, watching the college’s closing recreation at Matthews collectively.
“This area is one thing particular,” Bivona mentioned. “Simply the way in which it was constructed, it feels such as you’re tight. There’s a lot historical past. It’s one thing that I’m so completely happy I got here right here (to), and skilled.”
Led by Brandon Svoboda, the Terriers (9-8-1) staged an epic rally for the victory. The sophomore completed with a pair of objectives, together with the game-winner with 1:39 left in regulation.
But, a lot of the followers remained of their seats effectively after the ultimate horn sounded, trying to say goodbye to a spot that no one will ever overlook.
“It’s an enormous loss for the town of Boston,” Fay mentioned. “Each highschool inside a ten to 15-mile radius (performed right here). On a Saturday, they began at 7 o’clock within the morning and went till 11 o’clock at night time. Continuous highschool hockey. Then, in between instances, BU – this was their residence till 1973 once they constructed Walter Brown Enviornment. This was their residence, not solely that, however with Northeastern. I’m actually completely happy that the final recreation right here is Northeastern vs. BU, as a result of they had been those who saved this going.”
