COLLEGE HOCKEY: ELMIRA COLLEGE TO PLAY PAIR OF GAMES AT FIRST ARENA (2022-01-06)

Courtesy of Elmira Athletics
For the first time since the 2016-17 season, Elmira College Ice Hockey will be making a trip to First Arena, located in downtown Elmira on the corner of Main Street and Gray Street. As part of the reopening of the Arena, which is operated by new tenant Steve Donner, the EC men will take on the Statesmen from Hobart College on Jan. 21 (Forever2Six Night in honor of the late Billy Lowe) followed by a women's matchup between the Soaring Eagles and the Wildcats from Johnson & Wales on Jan. 29.
 
"We are excited and honored to be hosting both the Elmira College men's and women's hockey teams at First Arena after a long absence," said Steve Donner, the President of Mammoth Sports & Entertainment LLC.  "Both teams are nationally ranked and will provide two exciting nights of high-level hockey to downtown Elmira. I hope the community will share our excitement and pack the arena in support of Elmira College and the Lowe family."
 
Both games will have Chuck-A-Puck and 50/50 raffle. Also, the Eagle Maniac will make an appearance during the men's game.
 
"We're excited to be bringing college hockey to downtown Elmira," said Men's Ice Hockey Head Coach Aaron Saul '98. "Playing a rival and nationally-ranked opponent will allow the community to see our product and we are excited for that opportunity." The Jan. 21 game against Hobart marks the end of a five-game home stand for the Soaring Eagles on the men's side.
 
"Our program is excited to have the opportunity to be playing at First Arena," said Tim Crowley, Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach. "Our past experiences have been something we've enjoyed and we're looking forward to playing there."
 
As of Jan. 3, the Soaring Eagles rank #4 on the women's side in the USCHO National Poll while the men hold the #15 spot.
 
EC, along with the City of Elmira, Elmira Downtown Development, and the First Arena partnered in 2014 to hold a Home for the Holidays event that spanned three days and generated plenty of community involvement.