siouxfan123

I was watching the beginning of the Cubs/Brewers game this afternoon and the announcers made a comment about Blackhawks games on WGN next year. They said (I think) that they will show 20 Blackhawks games next year on WGN. It is always good to see more hockey on cable. I no longer live in GFK, Midco still carries WGN right? http://wgntv.trb.com/about/station/wgn-bla...0,4619120.story

That is a general NCAA rule put in place for the NCAA to get more of what it wants out of venues that host events like this. I am guessing the NCAA pays next to nothing for the overall use of the venues but gets to keep the vast majority of ticket sales. Add that on top of the NCAA controlling and limiting advertising and not allowing alcohol sales during the events, the venues don't get much in return except maybe recovery of some overhead costs. This rule allows the biggest money maker for a venue to maximize sales, have to love captive audiences. I know that one particular venue makes on average $5 per person for an event when alcohol is not sold and jumps to $9 per person when alcohol is sold and this is just for your typical 3 hour event. I am sure every hour you add on top of that the number grows exponentially. Is it a bad rule, yes (arena seats are not made for 7+ hours of sitting) but it is what it is.

Kind of off the topic, but I was at the BC/UND game this year and when I was walking around the arena I noticed that BC had on display NCAA runner-up and semi-finalist trophies, I didn't even know they gave those away. I wonder what UND does when they get them; my guess is they place them in a box in some obscure corner in a basement where no one will ever find them. HA.

The Maverick Stampede would be great for UND, then you would only have to spend one valuable NC game against the CCHA (just as long as U of Manitoba isn't a filler again in the tournament, who wants to go to a tourney and play an ex game?). Plus UNO has a home and home "rivalry" going with Mankato that would probably have to be suspended (you don't want all of your NC games to be against only one conference). Also there is a X-mas tournament, the Lightning College Hockey Classic, in Tampa that would be fun to go to as well. Plus if I recall correctly they had a good turnout in Tampa for it too (around 8,000).

If I recall correctly, it also is true that all of our Hockey East contracts are over too, which means we need to start looking for some new ones. I like the agreement that we made with BC and Northeastern over the past 4 years or so, a two game series in GFK for each and we go out there twice for a game against each of them in both trips. I was thinking a BU and Mass.-Lowell would be a good combo. Lowell is about 30 miles from Boston and the MBTA has a commuter rail that goes out in that direction from Boston for the fans who like to travel. I also think it would be fun to have one road NC trip like that that is a Friday night/ Early Sunday afternoon game with UND offering a air/hotel package so the team/fans could charter a flight. Boston is just too much fun not to root for a free day. Also with the new Bemidji State agreement with the WCHA, will UND give BSU a rest this next year and find a different NC series of games?

The problem with Denver athletics beyond hockey and skiing is their conference affiliation. To me it seems like the Sun Belt Conference with teams like AR Little Rock, LA Lafayette, New Orleans, North Texas, Arkansas St., and LA Monroe among others does not fit in what Denver would ideally be looking for.

10,598 at the UNO game, that is a new record for them, that is impressive if you ask me.

Another random fact for all of you hockey fans, it looks like Ohio State chose the Nike Swift jersey for their away games at least. Other then UND and tOhio State, who else has chosen the Swift jerseys?

Sportscenter's top play number..................10 no, 9 no, 8 no, 7 no, 6 no, 5 no, 4 no, 3 no, 2 no, #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They added 1,500 seats to the arena in May 2006 giving it a few more seats for hockey, but regardless its around 15,000.

Around 16,680 for hockey, but they put up partitions for about half of the upper deck to make it feel like 10,000 for UNO hockey, but these move out of the way very easy. The Qwest Center is hosting the NCAA Div. I Men's Basketball first and second round regional this March and this summer is the US Swim Team Trials for the Olympic Games in Beijing. http://www.qwestcenteromaha.com/

While I would like to see the Ralph get another West Regional, I would also like to see a West Regional in Omaha. UNO gets a good crowed despite having an average team and add one of the large WCHA teams and either a CCHA or Hockey East team and I think you would have a successful regional. Plus Omaha has enough to do to keep ones interest during the down times (Zoo, Casinos, etc.).

Already done. Now let's hope Illinois can make a game out of the Rose Bowl.

Speaking of 'Amazing,' Seal is on NBC with figure skaters, talk about a real downer after a good hockey game. Well off to football now.

But I also think I heard them say they had a cooling system below the ice as well, I am guessing the snow makes it sloppy more then anything.

I think the real winners are the owners being able to sell 73,000 tickets to a regular season hockey game, although the long term effects of the game have yet to be realized.

It's not worth winning if you can't win big!

I have one question, is having the cheerleaders on the ice right after it is cleaned good for the ice? Some of them do twirls and I know those figure skating skates can make some big marks on the ice.

Then again the NFL is not like most businesses, I mean they have one of the worst (in terms of benefits to the players) contracts of all the big leagues (its more then just about the money, remember that.)

empty net Mich - 6-3 Mich over UNO :11 left in the 3rd

Mich goal 4 on 4 - 5-3 Mich over UNO 6:50 left in the 3rd

Mich scores, 4-3 mich over UNO

3-3 Score UNO

I am off to the UNO/Mich game tomorrow, it should be fun to see where Mich and UNO ranks.