BOSTON – The line to get into Matthews Arena on Saturday night was long, to say the least.
Thousands were waiting to catch Northeastern University’s latest Hockey East clash with archrival Boston University, but this time it wasn’t for an ordinary game.
It was the final time the Huskies would take the ice at their historic facility. NU lost to the Terriers, 4-3, but for once the final score was a mere footnote to a historic night.
Matthews Arena is a Boston landmark, one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. It has hosted historic athletic events, generational concerts and even presidential rallies. The stadium is slated to be demolished in 2026. A new facility is scheduled to be built in its place in time for the 2028-2029 athletic season.
Hundreds of players have taken the ice for Northeastern, including Adam Reid. Reid played for Northeastern from 2011-15. Originally from California, he was a member of former Huskies coach and current Director of Athletics Jim Madigan’s first recruiting classes, and aided the school’s resurgence in the Hockey East. He quickly came to call the university his home away from home.
A decade later, Reid broadcasts hockey games regularly for Northeastern, and sat down for his final call at the historic rink.
“Coming to Matthews, I had very little touch with its history,” said Reid. “But I’ve been really touched by everybody I’ve met, whose kids have played here, or their parents have played here. Multiple generations of families have spent time (here), and have memories at Matthews Arena. To me, that’s pretty cool. You don’t see very many rinks where you can play your youth hockey, watch college hockey, then watch your kid play 30 years later.”
Matthews Arena was constructed in 1910, two years before Fenway Park came into existence less than a mile away. That year, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a speech at the tight-knit arena, kick-starting well over a century of memories there. Fellow presidents Howard Taft, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy also held rallies at the acclaimed site. Dubbed Boston Arena for much of its existence, the venue was dedicated to longtime Northeastern Board Chairman George Matthews and his wife, Hope, in 1982.
Matthews Arena was also the original home of the Boston Bruins from 1924-28, when the organization was first setting its roots in the city as an Original Six team.
Saturday’s game itself was a spectacle for fans in attendance. Prior to a ceremonial puck drop, the school welcomed Bruins vocalist Todd Angilly to the arena. He delivered a fantastic rendition of the National Anthem before a sellout crowd.
In fitting fashion, Northeastern (10-6-0) jumped in front just moments into play as Jacob Mathieu tipped a shot home to provide the Huskies an early 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Tyler Fukakusa sniped a goal, as Northeastern seized a 2-0 lead with 5:24 remaining in the first period.
It was an unforgettable moment for Gary Fay, who has certainly had plenty of thoughts himself on the rink. Fay played high school hockey at Brookline before continuing his career at Boston University from 1973-77. He later coached at Northeastern from 1978-86.
“I played all my high school hockey here,” said a chuckling Fay. “That was when it had fence, no glass. But they still had the best french fries in the world.”
Fay began to look back upon all of his favorite moments at Matthews.
“It’s a lot,” Fay said. “There’s a lot of memories here, not only playing for BU, but coaching at Northeastern for eight years. We won the Beanpot for the first time in 1980, then in 1982, won the ECAC and made it to the Frozen Four. Then, winning back-to-back Beanpots in ‘84 and ‘85. I won more Beanpots coaching here than I did playing at BU, so this place makes me (emotional). It’s a very sad day.”
Tom Bivona was recruited by Fay back in his heyday, and played for Northeastern from 1986-90. The two reunited in Northeastern’s Alumni section, watching the school’s final game at Matthews together.
“This arena is something special,” Bivona said. “Just the way it was built, it feels like you’re tight. There’s so much history. It’s something that I’m so happy I came here (to), and experienced.”
Led by Brandon Svoboda, the Terriers (9-8-1) staged an epic rally for the victory. The sophomore finished with a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 1:39 left in regulation.
Yet, most of the fans remained in their seats well after the final horn sounded, looking to say goodbye to a place that nobody will ever forget.
When the game concluded, the school held a ceremony, with well-known hockey analyst Billy Jaffe providing a heartfelt introduction. A video was played on the jumbotron, featuring historic figures who played at the arena such as Reggie Lewis, and the biggest athletic achievements that were accomplished within its walls.
Shortly thereafter, Madigan took the stage to honor the rink, and gave an emotional goodbye to Matthews Arena.
“This old, grand building has created memories, moments and friendships,” Madigan said to the crowd on-hand. “As we say farewell, we know that those memories, those moments and those friendships – they stay with us. They don’t go away. We own them. They’re a part of us, they’re a part of our soul, and we will treasure them for a lifetime. You can never thank the University, because again, the University is its people. You can never thank the building. The buildings are the people. We are the people. Thank you very much Matthews, for bringing us together for the past 115 years. Rest in peace.”
The university also invited some of its memorable hockey alumni to join in. The list included Bruins legend Johnny Bucyk, as well as current Bruins defenseman, Jordan Harris. The members took an honorary torch dedicated to Northeastern, and passed it between each other before handing it off to current Huskies players. The student athletes took it, and decided to embark on one final skate around the ice. As they reached the final turn, the famous Dog Pound erupted in pandemonium, a powerful sendoff that could be heard throughout Boston.
“It was kind of emotional, to be honest with you,” said Northeastern senior captain Vinny Borgesi. “Four years here in this building means a lot to me. To see all those guys from past years, century-long (run) of alums coming through this building. It’s a lot bigger than just our team. I told our guys that after the game…it’s a lot bigger than just what we have in our locker room. So cool to see all those people come back for that final game, it shows what kind of character comes through this community, this school and the hockey program itself. That’s why Northeastern is special.”
The Huskies are expected to play their home games at a variety of different venues until the new stadium is completed. Madigan noted that many traditions from Matthews will carry on into their new state of the art facility, with some additional features.
“It’s a big loss for the city of Boston,” Fay said. “Every high school within a 10 to 15-mile radius (played here). On a Saturday, they started at 7 o’clock in the morning and went until 11 o’clock at night. Non-stop high school hockey. Then, in between times, BU – this was their home until 1973 when they built Walter Brown Arena. This was their home, not only that, but with Northeastern. I’m really happy that the last game here is Northeastern vs. BU, because they were the ones who kept this going.”
