A reader asks: Which teams haven't visited Messa Rink?

by Ryan Fay

When Boston University played at Messa Rink last Saturday, it marked the Terriers' first-ever visit to Schenectady.

A trip to Messa Rink has remained elusive for some
Division I programs.

That prompted one reader to inquire which other teams still haven't visited Messa Rink during the Dutchmen's Division I existence. Union began Division I play in the 1991-92 season.

As of today, 19 teams have yet to play a game at Messa Rink:

Arizona State, Alaska, Alaska-Anchorage, Alabama-Huntsville, Boston College, Canisius, Colorado College, Denver, Michigan, Michigan State, Michigan Tech, North Dakota, Northern Michigan, Minnesota, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Robert Morris, and Wisconsin.

That list will decrease by one on Oct. 23, when Michigan visits. And next season, North Dakota will reportedly make its maiden voyage to Messa Rink on New Years Eve. Other teams might also get crossed off the list as next year's schedule becomes clearer.

Arizona State has the easiest excuse of the 19 teams. The Sun Devils just began their move up from club status this season.

The most surprising team is Canisius. The Griffs are one of only two Atlantic Hockey teams on the list (Robert Morris is the other), and the only New York team. It would be a relatively short four hour trek from their Buffalo campus. Perhaps a trip is in the offing in the coming years.

At three hours, Boston College has an even shorter distance to Schenectady than Canisius. It was once a pipe dream to think a program of that stature would ever visit, but that doesn't seem like the case anymore. Who ever thought Boston University and Michigan would come?

If you're wondering which teams Union has never played at all as a Division I program, that list includes just seven:

Arizona State, Alabama-Huntsville, Miami, Michigan Tech, North Dakota, Northern Michigan, and Robert Morris.

Robert Morris might not be long for that list. There's a chance the Dutchmen could finally play the Colonials during this January's Ledyard Bank Classic at Dartmouth.

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