Minnesota Rule

[Greyeagle]

I have a WCHA yearbook (somewhere?) at home (from 2002) that has a year-by-year history so I can check to see what the 1-4 & 1-5 seedings were. If I can find the book I will try to post the information. I'm pretty sure MN was not at at least one, if not both, FF's at the Target Center and I seem to remember UW not being at one of the Milwaukee FF's.

BTW - IMO UW fans are great UW hockey fans but not so much good hockey fans.

[MafiaMan]

That's what I was saying too. In fact, I think you could say that about anyplace. Hockey fans are great when it's their own team, but you'll hear crickets chirping at the X if Saturday's final winds up being DU vs CC.

I remember last year's Subway "Classic" semi-final in Grand Forks between Wayne State and Brown. The actual attendance was less than 1,000.

[cfm567b27]

You calling me skippy?

You stopping by for a brew cfm?

WPoS

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wpos...No not you - just Mr. Transwhatever....

I just might stop by for a brew...or four...Like to talk E36's with ya. I'm considering moving the E30 this summer for another E36 similar to the sweet ride you have. Nice compliment to the M

[The Sicatoka]

First, the UND student body was on spring break last weekend: 2200 no-show bodies. (Well, the bodies were "showing", but not in REA, more likely on a warm sandy beach somewhere.) Add in the 2200 student seats full and you'd have the building over capacity.

Next, let's try to really go enfuego.

(First, the fuel ....)

I really don't mind the "Minnesota Rule" at the WCHA Final Five. It just goes to prove what we've all really known all along.

(Now, toss the lit match at it.)

Gopher fans won't show up unless it's easy for them.

Most of us would gladly only have to take a half-day of vacation to see "their team" play. Too bad most of us have to take a day or more off just to see "their team". Talk about fair-weather fans if you have to make it easy for them, and make it so they don't even have to take vacation, to get them out and watching their team, when all they have to do is drive across a bridge.

(Flame-fanning 101 is complete.)

[MafiaMan]

Well-said Sicatoka. Hometown fans should have no problem playing hooky to see their team play.

[BismarckFan]

Obviously, the reason for the Goofs playing in the evening is revenues to the WCHA. Last year the Xcel's single game attendance record was broken, more than any Wild game had drawn!

The new rule must be that the most closely contested game (2 vs 3) is played Friday evening; let's see if the rule stays the same in years to come when the goofs are likely to be either in the play-in game of the number 1 seed?

Yes, it is an advantage to the Goof fans to have it in the Xcel, but, on the other hand, there is no better feeling in the world for a Sioux fan than winning the event and walking out of the building slowly to enjoy all of the second-guesing, crying, excises, etc. When we beat the Badgers a few years ago in the title game, The Badger fans around us berated their team's players to no end as soon as they fell behind.

When baited by opposing fans early in the tournament, we always respond that "it's going to be rough", showing at least a minimum of respect for the opposition. That way the rivalrys ar positive and fun.

Fighting Sioux post-season losses are so few, we're pretty spoiled! So, as loyal Sioux fans, let's hold our heads high, smile, and make no excuses for our team after a loss. After all, our Sioux players consistently leave it all on the ice in the post-season, so what's not to be proud of?

[sagard]

Greyeagle,

Thanks for the stats.  Nice work!  Now just out of curiosity, can you tell me what the finishes were of the Gophers/Badgers the years the tournaments were in the local cities.  Obviously that has an impact.  I will say this about Bucky fans...they do support their team, but a Final Five in Milwaukee without them would be a disaster attendance-wise.

I agree, although I won't be attending.  Given the quality of hockey CC has put on for a number of years now and Denver's recent success, those two schools deserve a WCHA Final Five in their backyard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Gophers won two of the playoff championships at the Bradley Center. UW always seemed to have success at the old Civic Center.

[Old Barn Guy]

I guess I need to mention a couple of things here, about the game times, etc.

The fact that the #1 seed gets to play a #4 or #5 seed in early afternoon the next day after the previous night game might be one heck of an advantage for that #1 seed team. Then, the #1 seed (considering they win the game) gets a few extra hours of rest in waiting for the championship game on Saturday night. They also can sit back and watch the #2 & #3 teams battle in the evening, and maybe even go to OT before it's settled.

I know someone mentioned about the value of visibilty to potential recruits, but I don't believe it is of such importance as the actual advantages the #1 gets by playing this schedule as it is. Now if the Gophers were #1 and still played the night game, then I would almost feel that it would be less of an advantage to them if they did it that way.

I think the best solution to this, is to let the Gophers play the night game on Thursday, lose, and then they would be freed up to play with some of you guys when you have your "Sioux-Gophers fans" game in the park on Sat. afternoon.

[Wreckincrew]

I guess I need to mention a couple of things here, about the game times, etc. 

The fact that the #1 seed gets to play a #4 or #5 seed in early afternoon the next day after the previous night game might be one heck of an advantage for that #1 seed team.  Then, the #1 seed (considering they win the game) gets a few extra hours of rest in waiting for the championship game on Saturday night.  They also can sit back and watch the #2 & #3 teams battle in the evening, and maybe even go to OT before it's settled. 

I know someone mentioned about the value of visibilty to potential recruits, but I don't believe it is of such importance as the actual advantages the #1 gets by playing this schedule as it is.  Now if the Gophers were #1 and still played the night game, then I would almost feel that it would be less of an advantage to them if they did it that way.

I think the best solution to this, is to let the Gophers play the night game on Thursday, lose, and then they would be freed up to play with some of you guys when you have your "Sioux-Gophers fans" game in the park on Sat. afternoon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OBG, it isn't the #1 seed that's always in the Fri afternoon game, it's the Friday game that the Rodents aren't playing in. If the Rodents ever make it in as a #1 they would play Friday night and the #2/#3 game would be the early match.

[Sioux,CO]

Greyeagle,

Thanks for the stats.  Nice work!  Now just out of curiosity, can you tell me what the finishes were of the Gophers/Badgers the years the tournaments were in the local cities.  Obviously that has an impact.  I will say this about Bucky fans...they do support their team, but a Final Five in Milwaukee without them would be a disaster attendance-wise.

I agree, although I won't be attending.  Given the quality of hockey CC has put on for a number of years now and Denver's recent success, those two schools deserve a WCHA Final Five in their backyard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Being out in Denver it would be nice to have the games here at the Pepsi Center, but I don't know how likely it is. Attendance would be very low, since college hockey isn't that big of a deal out here. Granted this year hockey is big in Denver and the Springs, since both teams are doing so well. Also, the Avs are not playing which has added to attendance.

For example, last year in CC the Regional there seemed to be more Sioux fans then Denver fans and DU is just an hour away. Plus before this year the only game that you couldn't get great seats for in Denver were the CC vs. DU games. Otherwise, the arena was about half full for most games. So unless DU or CC are the defending NCAA champs the tourney wouldn't be very good out here.

That being said the Minnesota Rule is BS and should be taken away. Playing in front of your home fans is advantage enough. Unless you are the #1 seed or play-in winner you should play the afternoon game. DU will get a tired team Friday afternoon and that will be a big advantage for the Pios and their sawed off coach Gowasdicky or whatever his name is. I just want the Sioux in the same region as the Pios, since they haven't looked that great of late.

GO SIOUX.

[U2Bad1]

I think the fans are more concerned about this rule than the players are. Think about it this way.. if UND wins on thursday then beats denver on Friday afternoon.. they have another 5 hours to rest before the big game on saturday night!! Woopety freekin doo.

[UMDDogz]

[UMDDogz]

If the Rodents ever make it in as a #1 they would play Friday night and the #2/#3 game would be the early match.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The #1 always used to play the night game, regardless of the teams involved.

[DLW4GOPHERS]

I long for the day when Minnesota goes into the big ten conferance for Hockey. Lets see how well your WCHA tourney draws then

[UMDDogz]

the big ten conferance for Hockey

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Never happen

[MafiaMan]

DLW4GOPHERS, I can hear you whining already...

"How come we always have to travel to Joe Louis Arena for the Super-Six? Why doesn't it come to Minneapolis/St Paul?"

"It's not fair that we had to play at 2:00 pm and (insert local team here) Michigan/Michigan State got to play at 7:00 pm."

[The Sicatoka]

No, no, no, Mafia.

The "BTHC" Tourney would be played at United Center in Chicago. Being the closest school Buckie Badger would get the preferential treatment. Well, them or Northwestern or the Illini.

[MafiaMan]

Shhh....don't say the word "Illini" when you know the NCAA is watching!

[Greyeagle]

Shhh....don't say the word "Illini" when you know the NCAA is watching!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or the SCSU president.

MM - Here you go:

1988

[Runninwiththedogs]

No, no, no, Mafia.

The "BTHC" Tourney would be played at United Center in Chicago. Being the closest school Buckie Badger would get the preferential treatment. Well, them or Northwestern or the Illini.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Illini do not have a hockey team. They have a club hockey team that does very well against other club teams, but they do not have a school-sanctioned team.

I-L-L-I-N-I! The only team that almost makes me care about college basketball!

[bertibm]

I long for the day when Minnesota goes into the big ten conferance for Hockey.  Lets see how well your WCHA tourney draws then

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am a Gopher Fan and this has to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Are you telling me Northwestren and Illinois are going to get D1 hockey teams. Give me a break.

[Siouxhockey78]

I think the ralph should get the tourney.....

[Wreckincrew]

I think the ralph should get the tourney.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not big enough. Rumor has it that Ralph E. was trying to get the Frozen Four and was willing to write the NCAA a check to cover the difference between 15,000 tickets (the NCAA minimum seating requirements to host the FF I believe) and the 11,500+ REA capacity. Obviously it was back when he was still alive, but I am pretty sure it was in the GF Heraldo.

[Wreckincrew]

[MafiaMan]

Funny how the last couple of years' have really taken off attendance-wise. The years at Target Center were absolutely horrible. Seriously, the 1998 DU/UND title game was one of the most boring games I have ever attended (in terms of fan presence and noise).

Of course, that upswing in attendance coincides with the move to St Paul, the Wild bringing out more hockey fans in general, and Don Lucia-pet's arrival. As my good friend Elmer Fudd would say, "intewesting...vewy intewesting."