BBC: Boston Mayor Backs Belfast Bid for Major Ice Hockey Tournament

This would be a first. I wonder what kind of a crowd a college hockey game would draw in Belfast, Ireland? I can't imagine that the Boston Garden would want to just let another venue have the Bean Pot.

BBC.COM - Boston mayor Marty Walsh has given his backing to a bid to bring a major ice hockey tournament to Belfast in 2016.

While visiting the Odyssey Arena, Mayor Walsh offered his support to an Odyssey Trust initiative to bring the NCAA Beanpot tournament to the city.

The Beanpot, which features Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern, is one of the biggest tournaments in the ice hockey season.

Boston mayor backs Belfast for Beanpot college ice hockey tournament.

"In the 62 years since its inception it has become the official battle for Boston's hockey bragging rights and is widely known as the 'social event of the winter season'," said Walsh.

"In light of the recent Sister City twinning between Belfast and Boston, which is underpinned by a longstanding connection between the two cities through ice hockey, I think it would be wonderful to bring the Beanpot to Belfast and am lending my support to the campaign."

(Video) Hockey East officials admit mistake on Doyle Somerby HFB call

Interesting turn of events. It's not very often you can get a hockey or any sports league to admit they blew a call on a play. We have seen it before, in some cases a head of officials from a conference will close ranks around around one of their officials that made a questionable call.They'll come up with some explanation on why their official made a certain call.  Ahem, WCHA... 

I didn't think the play originally looked all that bad, nor did I originally think it was worthy of a five-minute hitting from behind call. You can watch the video from the play and decide for yourself. Obviously, Doyle Somerby hit Kevin Hays from behind, but it wasn't a malicious play.

Quinn: "[Schachte] told me it was a bad call and BC should’ve gotten the penalty for diving...Doesn’t do us any good."
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) February 6, 2014

David Quinn said Hockey East Coordinator of Officials Dan Schachte called him Tuesday re: Doyle Somerby hitting-from-behind/game-misconduct.
— Boston Hockey Blog (@BOShockeyblog) February 6, 2014