HOUGHTON - Michigan Technological University's hockey success has been noticed by the community, and fan attendance at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena has increased, but the Huskies (6-3-1 at home) are doing everything in their power to pack the Mac for the final seven home games of the season.
Starting this weekend, Tech will offer free bus service for students to the ice arena for home hockey games. Starting an hour before faceoff, buses will run every 20 minutes, with stops behind the Wadsworth Hall main parking lot and behind Douglass Houghton Hall (Cliff Drive side), then drop students off at the arena.
"We're just trying to make it easier for students to get up here. We're taking away the excuses that weather can bring. We're just trying to encourage people to get out and support the team," Tech coach Mel Pearson said. "We only have seven home games left ... so we're trying to get the fans here - they really can make a difference and really generate some energy in our team."
Approximate pickup times for tonight and Saturday's games against Alaska Anchorage will be at 6, 6:20 and 6:40 p.m. behind Wads; 6:08, 6:28 and 6:48 behind DHH - with dropoff times at 6:15, 6:35 and 6:55 for the 7:07 p.m. faceoff.
The free bus service will also run from 6 to 7 p.m. for games on Jan. 21, Feb. 10 and Feb. 24-25, and from 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 11.
In 10 home games this year, the Huskies are averaging 2,811 fans per game, up from the 2,345-per-game average in 17 games last season.
The athletic department welcomes feedback on the promotion via email: athleticmarketing@mtu.edu.