Bobcats, Reporter Blend into New Habitat

Bobcats, Reporter Blend into New Habitat 

By Jeremy Schilling

Jan 27, 2007

 

HAMDEN — “Do you have a pass sir or are you a member of a team?”

“No, I don’t,” I replied to the usher.

“Well, the general public can’t enter until 11:15 — just stay here [in this hallway next to the door],” he replied.

            Disgruntled, I stood for about 15 minutes, until a different usher told me to blend in with a sports team and go on in. Then, truly, my experience of the TD Banknorth Center began.

            It is a masterpiece. A glorious Bobcat statue stands outside guarding the center, which is on the top of York Hill. There is a definite elevation change as you drive up, and it seems from the Center that you are on the side of a cliff. Walking inside the center, it is completely modern. The seats, lobby, jumbotrons, food stands – everything, is in tiptop shape. It is two separate arenas with a common lobby. On this day, it was the basketball one in the spotlight, with the men inaugurating the center against Long Island University.  The basketball arena has an open-air feel, even if you leave out the exits to the parking lot that is accessible right from the seats. I took a quick peak at the hockey side, which will get the spotlight tomorrow, and it looks impeccable. It truly was a great job done by all.

            After President Lahey led the unveiling of the Bobcat and the name placard, it was all business. But wait, not until the lights went down, a picture sequence was shown, lineups announced, an anthem played, a ceremonial tip that needed to happen three times, and the last pep talk given.

            And then there was finally the game. A crowd, not a sellout, but solid, cheered on as the Bobcats, who ran an up-tempo game, and got many fast break points early on. Led by Adam Gonzalez, Chris Wehye and others, the Bobcats got out to an early 14 point lead. But little by little, LIU came back, eventually taking the lead. But Quinnipiac fought and fought, and eventually sent the game into overtime. And in that overtime, led by Gonzalez’s 21 points, we won, 73-71. What a way to open a new arena.

If it seems like I was short on game notes, I’m just saving my energy for tomorrow, Men’s Hockey. At noon. Holy Cross. ESPNU. Need I say more?

P.S. Special thanks to Head Men’s Tennis Coach Mike Quitko for making me an honorary team member for the day.