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.

A panoramic shot of the rink as BU takes on Northeastern at the final game at historic Matthews Arena. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

“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.

Northeastern Huskies forward Joe Connor (14) fends off Boston University Terriers defenseman Gavin McCarthy during the final game at Matthews Arena. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)

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.

“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.”