Twolt33

Am I wrong to equate the X with the University of Minnesota? Again, it just seems to be an unfair advantage here when getting a regional host site. It is actually too bad for the Gophers and their fans, since they really have nothing to do with it and receive the brunt of our frustrations. They just get to enjoy the benefits. I don't expect Don or any fan to say it is not fair and want an investigation into it. Simply put, if the Western Regional was in G.F. every other year or more, you wouldn't hear it from me. Except to gloat about how much more the NCAA/WCHA wants us to win.

True, but I have got to believe that at least one other city put in to host the Western Regional one of those 2 years.

After seeing that Wisconsin leads the league in attendance, I don't think that would be an issue anymore.

Remember things have changed since the days of the old Civic Center. More and more fans are willing and do travel to see their team play. So I don't want to compare days of the old to today.

Would the Pepsi Center sell out in a Denver/CC final? Would the X sell out in a Alaska/Tech final? We could go round and round on this issue. Until it happens we will never know. I don't think it will ever happen because as we all know the NCAA/WCHA is more concerned about money than giving all teams an equal shot. When I see things like the Gophers hosting back to back regionals, it only adds fuel to my fire that the Gophers have been and always will be a NCAA/WCHA darling. Sorry, please don't respond and attack as it is my opinion and anything you say will not get me to believe otherwise. Oh, and it makes me want to punch people like Woog who say otherwise when the evidence is clearly there.

You are right, the cost would probably go up. I am trying to look at it as an issue of fairness and for a few selfish reasons. One, I wouldn't be inundated with thousands of obnoxious Gopher fans (not all are obnoxious, but if it was held in another city, the real obnoxious ones probably wouldn't show up.) Secondly, as I said before if I have to shell out the $$$ then so should you (I mean you in general). Thirdly, if I can't show up and the Gophers make it to the championship game, believe you me, there will be a Gopher fan ready to scoop it up and it would be unfair to the opposing team when 80% of the crowd on supposedly "neutral" ice is cheering for the Gophers.

A good reason for the arguement to rotate between Denver and Minneapolis.

Then we should find out who has the largest arena, 2nd largest, and so on, in the country, and work out a lease agreement to host the Final Five there every year. This way we would maximize ticket revenue and travel is travel for all teams and fans involved.

What is considered large enough?

I won't argue with the centralized location issue. Also, with a rotating host site, other cities would have a piece of the revenue (hotels, restaurants etc...). I don't believe you would hear restaurant owners complaining in G.F. or Madison every year when the Final Five comes to town about all the money they are taking in. I wouldn't even mind seeing a alternating site approach. Minneapolis one year and Denver the next. Both cities could accomodate the teams and fans.

Right, so if you can accomodate you should be able to host.

I agree its my choice, but why can't I every few years not have too. Think about all of the hassles those in the cities don't have to go through. I don't think that any arena in the TC or elsewhere is so much better than the Ralph, that, Grand Forks (Madison, Denver etc..) should be considered a second class citizen when hosting. IMO, I wouldn't mind seeing a rotating host site for the final five (if you can accomodate the amount of teams and fans). This way you could visit all cities and arenas. Most of the issue here is as I see it....The golden child is being taken care of.

It would be safe to assume that only Minneapolis/St. Paul put bids in for the next 2 regionals, since no one else got one.

The problem I have is...why do I always have to chuck out the gas and hotel money for these games along with my whole weekend (don't forget about taking Friday off of work) for that matter while MN fans never have to. Furthermore, if it is an advantage, it might as well be home ice since that is what we usually refer to as the home ice advantage. Do the Gopher players have to stay in a travel and stay in a hotel room when playing at the X? If you can support the teams and the fans, you should be able to host. If the games were not at the X would there still be thousands of opposing fans cheering for the Gophers not just against? I am not trying to call you out here, I just think that an advantage is exactly that, an advantage, and why should it ALWAYS go to the Gophers?

North Dakota, although I now live in Michigan. I miss college hockey. I really hate to drive all the way to Ann Arbor to see U-M play. If it wasn't for Fox sports north where I can catch most of the WCHA action, I would go crazy. I work the midnight shift and won't get off until 9 am your time. I have your numbers, I will call Jill in the morning to touch base. If that doesn't work, I will wait until you get off and try you after 7 pm your time.