Know Your Rinks: Taffy Abel Arena

By Bob Miller/LSSU Beat Writer

Arena: Clarence "Taffy" Abel Arena

Year Built: 1976, Renovated in 1995

Anchor Tenant: Lake Superior State University Hockey (CCHA)

Famous game: October 28, 1995 - Re-opening of the re-constructed arena, a LSSU win over Alaska Fairbanks, 4-3.

Unique item: Part of the Norris Center Student Athletic Complex, including an additional 2,500 seat gymnasium.

Where to eat: Locks View Restaurant, Freighters and The Antlers Restuarant. For breakfast, head to Studebaker's Restaurant and Lounge.

Best seats: Try to nab a seat in one of the 15 skyboxes or Section A - southeast corner on the goal line where the Lakers shoot twice.

Attractions: Agawa Canyon Tour Train, Great Lakes Whipwreck Museum, Soo Locks.

Photo courtesy OHLArenaGuide.com

Know Your Rinks: Berry Events Center

By Susannah Nichols/ Northern Michigan Beat Writer

Arena: Berry Events Center

Year Built: 1999

Capacity: 4,300 – up to 5,800 for concerts

Anchor Tenant: Northern Michigan University Wildcats: Hockey (CCHA) and Basketball (GLIAC). The US Short Track Speedskating team trained at the center until 2007, and the United States Olympic Education Center speedskating squad continues to train at the facility.

Famous Games: 3/12/10 and 3/13/10: An epic effort by goaltender Brian Stewart allowed the ‘Cats to advance to Joe by taking down the Alaska Nanooks with 4-3 and 5-1 victories.
3/9/2008: Northern defeats OSU 6-1 in game three of the first round of the CCHA tournament – a particularly sweet victory given that the hated Bucks defeated the ‘Cats in a last-minute win earlier in the season.

Unique Items: Berry is one of two CCHA arenas to feature Olympic sized ice. When the rink is converted into a basketball court, an insulated covering is placed over the ice and the flooring is then built on top. The changeover takes about four hours. Watch the process here.

Where to eat: Vango’s Pizza & Cocktail Lounge, Jean Kay’s Pasties & Subs, and Rice Paddy are all in close proximity to Berry.

Best Seats: There are 16 luxury suites in the arena. Or try the student sections—16 and 17.

Attractions: Presque Isle Park, Mount Marquette, Lakenenland Sculpture Park (15 miles east of Marquette), Beaumier UP Heritage Center, numerous hiking trails and falls.

Photo courtesy NMU Athletics