Stromer

Im not going to adress this actual issue, but are you assuming Michigan Tech leaves as well? Otherwise that leaves you with 13 teams. And if your scenario would play out, the pairings would look like this: NDSU-Moorhead DU-CC SCSU-UND BSU-UMD UNO-MSU

Thats what I would be afraid off. But its short sighted. Sure they can take the gate from one home game, but they also will need to remember that they are going to be getting a decreased share of revenue from the Final Five. I would like to see them gamble and say No thanks. Sure they will miss out on a gate, but if the BTHC folds after a couple of years and UW and UM come back to the WCHA, those gates will return along with with increased Final Five revenue. Its a gamble and I don't think many teams would go for it, but it sure would be nice if they did.

Well this is my 5th year and with the exception of the first (2005-2006), the student section really wasn't that consistent. They showed up for the big games, homecoming, UNO, etc. but then would drop off against lesser known opponents. I think its easier to make exceptions for bigger games. For example, my friends started partying for homecoming before 10, even though the game wasn't until 4. Last week, you were lucky if anyone was even out of bed before 10. Different weather, different opponent, very different atmosphere.

It seems to me that when the USF game was first scheduled, it was for a Thurs night. Then it got moved to Sat afternoon. With FB games being hard to schedule this year, I am thinking they really were limited in trying to avoid hockey weekends. Which then makes me wonder why this game got moved from Thurs in the first place.

Good point. Even though it looks like the power is with the BT, this will negatively affect college hockey as a whole. Is it possible that if all of the other schools banded together and did not schedule non conference games against the BTHC teams, that they could force the demise of this dumb idea. Or would enough of the smaller teams cross over for the lure of higher gate revenues? I don't think that we can assume the WCHA would be at 10 teams. I think Michigan Tech might take a look at the new, weakened CCHA, and then take a look at the new WCHA, minus 2 of its biggest programs. The lure of easier competition combined with lower gates from not having UM and UW on the schedule might be enough to get them to switch. I don't think the fact the DU and UND still would be in the league would be a huge selling point for them to stay, although you could argue that with the WCHA weakened as well, they might as well just stay anyways. Just a thought.

Good points. As a student who was at the game, the turnout was horrible. However, there was a tons of seats open in the place. If the general public doesn't see fit to go to a game on a day where they couldn't be doing anything outside, then its wrong to think that the students should be out in full force. That said I would like to see more consistent support by the students. I agree with all your points above and am going to add some of my own. 1. The 1PM starts just doesn't draw as well as a 4PM one. I know it was at 1 so it didnt conflict with the hockey game but half of the students there were yawning most of the game. It seems dumb but the prospect of getting up, eating, and getting to the game before one just doesnt sit well with some students. 2. While I love the hockey-football-hockey triple, I think it hurts football attendance. After hockey games, students are more likely to go to the bars, parties, etc. All of which make getting up for a football game against a no name opponent the next day much harder. A lot easier to recover during the day and then go to the hockey game. 3. Also, some students skip the football game to go wait in line for hockey. Thats what worries me about next week. Last year, people were waiting in line for the gophers in below zero weather from 10 AM or earlier. I would expect no less this year. So even people that want to go to the football game may find themselves waiting in line during it. Couple this with a NAIA team, and I think we could see horrible turnout next week. Think SUU last year. Bottom line is turnout was bad across the board. I can understand why that was, but they deserve more support then that.

If it helps, I thought it was a pretty good attempt.

Fri- VV Sat- Kristo

Can't say I normally agree with you but this is spot on.

This really isn't an issue of liberal vs conservative. I am one of the most conservative people I know but I support the Alerus 100%. So its not as easy as just drawing lines in the sand like you are trying to do.

I believe Iona may have played a part. I believe Stony Brook was supposed to have a home game with them this year. And it seems to me that we were also on Iona's schedule, though I don't remember if it was supposed to be this year or last year. If it was this year, both teams just needed 1 game. And I could see it making more sense financially to be played at UND.

I absolutely loved it. More time for pregame activities. And I think the crowd took advantage of it from what I saw. It will be interesting to compare the mood with this weekends game starting at 1PM.

Also haven't lost to USD in GF since 1985. Lets hope that doesn't change.

I hear you. The D hasn't been the same for awhile. I think its improved this year but it still has a long way to go. And I agree about next week. I think every game from here on out, excluding the 2 NAIA, is going to be a dogfight. We need to defend home turf.

True. I guess I just could agree if this has been a weekly thing, indicating a pattern. So far in my book this is an isolated occurance. If this happens again next week or against Davis or Poly, then yes we have issues. But I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt until then.

I agree. But the game was a lot closer than the 1st half stats would indicate, even if we couldn't stop them to save our lives. What I am dissapointed in is that the team hasn't shown up in the 2nd half. We needed to score when we got the ball to start and we didn't. Its been all downhill from there.

I dont think SEL is that good. They barely beat both USD and UND last year at home. I think USD exposed them for the team they actually are. USD is the same team we have seen the past 3 years. Shep and company. And that hasn't turned out that bad for us.

I guess I am in the minority but I don't think the world is ending like the some people here. We are playing a team whose no huddle seems to be catching our D before it gets set. This combined with our lack of offense mean this game is not going to be good. Now even special teams is collapsing. I have to believe this is just an example of having an off night on the back end of 3 road games. Now if we go home next weekend and get dominated by the Yotes, then by all means we have issues. But this is reality. We are a transitioning team that had 1 legit D1 win last year, against Idaho State. To think we are going to run the non conference table seems to be quite the pipe dream.

I think it is. I think this game is the exception.

Exactly. We never got the opportunity to respond to their TD. The O only had only run 3 plays and SFA already had 21 on the board. If your gonna beat good teams you need to have a clean game. Thats the difference right now.

We needed to stop them on 3rd down. No excuse for that.

Need our O to keep us in the game till the D wakes up.

Nice to see that and to read the comments. I think there is a lot of Sioux fans pulling for Tech up here too. It would sure be fun to see you guys beat Oklahoma.

I think its about time USF and Minot move up but you might as well have Dickinson and Jamestown move up and make it 2 conferences of 9.

UND recovers the onside kick. Both teams have all 3 TOs.