In the past, many people would retire to a diner after the movies let out. Today, however, many diners just aren't open that late. So, sometimes, we need to find reasons to hit a diner and do another event. With this series, we look at diners that are open before hockey games. Most hockey arenas don't have real food, the closest I have seen, myself, is a Subway Shop inside of Dartmouth College's rink. So, get out the winter coat, and hit the road for some good hockey and even better eating!

As part of this series, we will be focusing on minor league hockey and College Hockey. These opportunities are more fan friendly at an affordable price.

Choices in Amherst and Northampton, MA

Choice is good. So to start out the new years in the right fashion, we're giving you the choice of three diners and two hockey teams to watch. We have the D-I UMASS Minutemen and D-3 Amherst College Lord Jeffs, both in Amherst. For food, you could stay nearby and go to the Route 9 Diner in Hadley, a retro diner built by Kullman just a few years ago.

Or! You can head west a measly 9 miles to Northampton, where two diners await you. The Miss Florence, a Worcester is just two miles west, still on Route 9, and the Bluebonnet Diner, another Worcester is about a mile north of town.

The Route 9 Diner is everything you would expect from a retro diner. They're selling the theme of a 1950s diner, with long hours, all set to cater to college students who want a lot of food and a lot of coffee. The diner has almost anything you could want, and will remind many people of your typical Metro NY diner. The other two diners are more traditional New England Diners.

What is rare about both the Bluebonnet and the Miss Flo, as it is affectionately called, is that they hold dinner hours. Most small New England diners close for dinner, like Kathy's Diner in downtown Northampton. As any fan of diners will tell you, they're extremely happy both diners serve dinner. The Miss Flo has had some alterations done on the inside, but still serves up the mostly the same classic menu it has had for ages. Since Northampton is also a college town, they offer some vegetarian fare. Usually, the Miss Flo dependable, highly recommended diner (my personal favorite in the area), but checking on-line, a few people have complained of poor service.

Click through for lots more info, including team schedules and directions to the diners and the rinks!

You also can't go wrong with the Bluebonnet Diner. You could say that they're so popular, through the years, that the dining rooms added on, dwarf the diner itself. With this in mind, it's funny to read comments about non diner people having to sit in the diner section, because the dining room is full. They're amazed that the food seems to come out faster in the diner, and the waitresses are really nice there. It's a shame diners get a bad rap, and that is why we're here, to tell you about the good ones. The Bluebonnet is known for their Broasted Chicken, which they will warn you, takes longer to cook, but is worth it. As they correctly state on their website, they're renounced for home cooked food and reasonable prices

Bluebonnet Diner: Hours: Open until 11pm, closed Sundays Phone: 413-584-3333

Miss Florence Diner: Hours: Until 10pm Phone: 413-584-3137 Route 9 Diner: Hours: Open until 2am, and 24 hours Th-Sa Phone: 413-253-0505

Amherst College Mens Hockey Schedule Tuesday 1/9 – Hamilton 7pm Friday 1/19 – Skidmore 7pm Saturday 1/20 – Castleton 3pm Friday 2/2 Bowdoin 7pm Saturday 2/3 Colby 3pm Friday 2/16 Williams 7pm Saturday 2/17 Middlebury 3pm

Women's home games: 1/17 2/6 and 2/9 at 7pm. 2/10 at 3pm. 2/18 at 1pm

UMASS Men's Hockey Schedule

Friday 1/12 – UMASS-Lowell 7pm Saturday 1/20 – New Hampshire 7pm Saturday 1/27 – Boston University 7pm Saturday 2/3 – UMASS-Lowell 7pm Friday 2/9 – Boston University 7pm Saturday 2/10 – Providence 7pm Friday 2/23 – Northeastern 7pm Friday 3/2 – Maine 7pm Saturday 3/3 – Maine 7pm

Women's home games: No Varsity Team

Diner Directions: Since the diners are all on state highways, directions are quite straightforward. Exiting I-91 take Route 9 west to the Miss Flo, or east to the Route 9 Diner. The Bluebonnet Diner can be reached by going south from Exit 20 or from Exit 19, you will go west on Route 9 into downtown Northampton and then north on Route 5.

Rinks: First Amherst College. From all three diner, take Route 9 east. Head south on Route 116, and the rink will be part of the campus, located on the left side of the road. Parking is limited, but the game is free.

UMASS at Amherst. From their website. Turn north on Route 116, off of Route 9, near Staples. Follow Route 116 North for approx. one mile to first exit (UMASS). At end of ramp, make right onto Massachusetts Avenue. Follow Massachusetts Avenue to first light, and make left onto Commonwealth Avenue. Mullins Center will be on your left. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $12 for reserved seating at the Mullens Arena.

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