For the players, it harkens back to the days of childhood when hockey was all about shinny on the pond and throwing your sticks in a pile to pick teams.  For the fans, it almost brings you closer to the game even though you’re further away from the ice.  Suffering the elements sort of creates a kinship with the players, sacrificing the comforts of the sterile indoor arena for love of the game.

Some of the more cynical fans refuse to “buy in” to the outdoor experience, claiming that it’s nothing more than a money grab by an already greedy ownership.  As far as the NHL goes, perhaps they’re right.  After all, between ticket sales, broadcast rights, advertising, and those ‘special’ sweaters, you’ve got to figure there’s plenty of cash being made.  You know the players are getting paid, and you can bet the owners line their pockets a bit as well.

But what if it wasn’t?  What if you had the opportunity to see some quality hockey in an incredible outdoor venue and not have to spend a dime?  Well, here’s your chance.  On January 19-21, the ACHA is hosting an outdoor showcase for a handful of M2 and M3 teams at Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont, IL.

The competition is top notch.  While you technically can't call them B1G teams, many of the schools you love (and love to hate) will be in attendance.  Indiana will be well represented, fielding teams at both levels, along with Purdue's M3 team.  In addition to the Hoosiers, teams from Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State make up the field at the division 2 level, while Northwestern and Nebraska round out the division 3 bracket.

And the best part?  No admission fees!

I'll give you a minute to let that sink in...

If you’ve ever been to (Rosemont), you know why it’s free. There are so many fantastic restaurants and bars with an aerial view of the rink, fans have their pick of places to plop down and take in the action where the only cold they feel is from the drink in their hands.  In fact, the folks at Rosemont are confident that most spectators will do just that.  After all, even the heartiest of hockey fans will be hard-pressed to resist the temptation of a good brew for an entire weekend!

And there's plenty to do if for some crazy reason you need a break from hockey (not that we could understand why, but to each his own.)  Parkway Bank Park is a 200,000 square-foot entertainment and dining complex that is home to 12 venues offering upscale international cuisine, live music, comedy, state-of-the-art film, bowling and more. The entertainment district is a one stop suburban destination for big city dining, entertainment, nightlife, and family fun.

Yet I digress.  Certainly the venue is incredible, with something to please fans of every ilk.  But the hockey... oh, the HOCKEY!

If you still don’t believe that ‘club’ hockey is legit, then you haven’t been paying attention.  With only 60 NCAA Division I program’s around, there are way more quality players cranked out each year than there are roster spots available.  For a young man or woman who’s favorite pair of shoes are their hockey skates, 18 is far too soon to hang ‘em up.  And while it’s true that all roads lead to the beer leagues (eventually), for a large number of these talented college players... well, the beer leagues can wait.

In the immortal words of John Buccigross - #cawlidgehawkey IS hockey!

Five of the six M2 teams are ranked in the top 20 in their respective regions, led by the Nittany Lions at #1 in the Southeast.  The Wolverines are ranked #7 in the Central, while Iowa, Michigan State, and Ohio State (Southeast) come in between 15th and 18th.  Indiana had high hopes heading into this season, but a lengthy losing streak has put a damper on their postseason aspirations.  Yet the Hoosiers have rattled off three straight wins heading into their showdown with powerhouse Grand Valley State (Central #5).

The Showcase falls in a key stretch in the season, as teams look to position themselves for a run to the top 10 and a berth in the regional tournament.  With a 14-1-0 record, Penn State looks to be as much of a sure thing as can be at this point, especially as their remaining games (aside from the Showcase) are all at home.  Michigan has a bit of breathing room at #7, but with Florida Gulf Coast (Southeast #2), Trine (Central #4), and Grand Valley State on the schedule, the Wolverines will need to bring their 'A' game to keep a hold on that spot.

On the M3 side, the Cornhuskers come in as the cream of the crop with a #4 ranking in the Pacific region.  The 'Huskers know how to light the lamp, averaging 5.5 goals per game despite a shutout at the hands of the Midland Warriors (NAIA).  After a very rough start, Northwestern seems to have found their footing, netting 3 out of 4 before the break, including a win over the North region's #2 team Central Michigan.  Despite a stellar 11-1-1 record, the Hoosiers are clinging to the #8 seed in the North, primarily due to a low strength of schedule.  Netminder Matthew Turner leads the ACHA division 3 in both GAA (1.20) and Save% (0.956), complemented by a balanced offense that boasts nine skaters with a 1.0 ppg average or better.  A good showing at Rosemont could help Indiana solidify their hold on that playoff spot, while the talented but underachieving Boilermakers look to notch a couple signature wins and gain some momentum on the recruiting trail.

"We've done outdoor games before, but this is the first of its' size, " proclaims ACHA Division 2 President Jay Peacock.  "It's a lot to coordinate, but we're excited about the potential of the event."  Indeed, the schedule certainly is an ambitious one, with games starting at 8am each day and not ending until 10 or 11 at night.  With about 3 hours allotted for each game, staying on track should be easy enough... provided Mother Nature cooperates.  "Temperatures in the low to mid 40's we can deal with, but any higher and we could run into some problems with the ice."  The early forecast shows favorable temperatures, but a slight chance of rain could have an impact on the speed of play.  Still, with all the indoor spaces available to watch from, weather should be least of concerns for any prospective spectators.

Peacock says the hope is to continue the Showcase on an annual basis, fielding a mix of local programs and teams with some name recognition.  "We want to put a good blend of clubs on the schedule to make it attractive for both teams and fans.  Our aim is to match up local teams with some programs that they don't usually cross paths with."  But for now, featuring a selection of B1G schools should prove to be enough of a draw to get the Rosemont Showcase off the ground.

For hockey's sake, we hope it is.

To find out more about the teams in attendance, visit www.achahockey.org.  Be sure to check back often with INHockey.net online and through social media, as we'll be offering updates, interviews, and more throughout the Showcase.