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2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

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  • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

    I like the new format that the WCHA used for the playoffs. I have always wanted the regular season to mean more, and this does just that.

    Does it suck only having one week notice on where the Championship game will be held? Yes, but it also gives it the best chance of having a championship atmosphere.
    Millsy

    NCAA TOURNAMENT 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010!
    FROZEN FOUR 2009!


    "Like" The BeaverPond's Facebook Page

    BEMIDJI STATE BEAVERS!
    NAIA National Champs: 1968, '69, '70, '71, '73, '79, '80
    NCAA D-III National Champs: 1986
    NCAA D-II National Champs: 1984, '93, '94, '95, '97
    NCAA D-I National Champs: 20??
    Perfect 31-0 in 1983-84
    Holders of an NCAA Mens Record 43 straight wins (Nov. 8, 1983-Jan. 1, 1985)

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    • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

      Originally posted by JohnsonsJerseys View Post
      I think the championship game will always do well. However your 1st and 2nd round games might not reach peak capacity for the high seeds. Fans might wait for more important games. Did anyone come close to selling out their first two round games this season?
      Ryan
      I disagree with the reason...the reason things will likely struggle is because of spring break.
      Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

      Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

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      • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

        Originally posted by Shirtless Guy View Post
        I disagree with the reason...the reason things will likely struggle is because of spring break.
        No question it's a spring break issue. If anything I would think it gets better as it catches on. One can argue that the playoffs before had the same issue with 2 of 3 in the first week but you knew you would not be seeing them the next week. The schools and communities need to be creative to get people at the games.

        I think the format is excellent.

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        • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

          Originally posted by beaverhockeyfan View Post
          Does it suck only having one week notice on where the Championship game will be held? Yes, but it also gives it the best chance of having a championship atmosphere.
          I've read that we're going to a 24-team schedule soon, maybe as early as next year. (I'll have to look up the press release and follow-on media stuff about that for timing.). I wonder if the plan here is to start the playoffs a week earlier and either do three straight, three-game series or provide a week off between the semis and final game to let people set up accommodations. But let's be honest:

          1. If UAH, UAF, or UAA are the host school, it's not really going to matter if there's a one-week turn. The travel is going to suck. It sucks less to Alabama, but it still sucks.

          2. For BG/MTU/LSSU/FSU/NMU, the chances are that the travel isn't going to be that bad (since it's 50-50 that their opponent will be a short drive away), and none of those barns are huge, anyway. Also, none of them are in big metro areas (don't talk to me about being close to Toledo, Falcon fanatics). The fact of the matter is that the locals will fill the place.

          3. For the Minnesota schools, we actually have a good-problem-to-have. Both of those buildings are pretty solid facilities, and while the locals will help fill them up, they probably won't fill it completely. I'm thinking Mankato more than Bemidji, but it applies to both schools.

          I think that this is the best approach. It beats rotating the tournament like College Hockey America sorta did (RMU never hosted).

          GFM
          Geof F. Morris
          UAH BSE MAE 2002
          UAHHockey.com

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          • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

            Originally posted by gfmorris View Post
            I've read that we're going to a 24-team schedule soon, maybe as early as next year. (I'll have to look up the press release and follow-on media stuff about that for timing.). I wonder if the plan here is to start the playoffs a week earlier and either do three straight, three-game series or provide a week off between the semis and final game to let people set up accommodations. But let's be honest:

            1. If UAH, UAF, or UAA are the host school, it's not really going to matter if there's a one-week turn. The travel is going to suck. It sucks less to Alabama, but it still sucks.

            2. For BG/MTU/LSSU/FSU/NMU, the chances are that the travel isn't going to be that bad (since it's 50-50 that their opponent will be a short drive away), and none of those barns are huge, anyway. Also, none of them are in big metro areas (don't talk to me about being close to Toledo, Falcon fanatics). The fact of the matter is that the locals will fill the place.

            3. For the Minnesota schools, we actually have a good-problem-to-have. Both of those buildings are pretty solid facilities, and while the locals will help fill them up, they probably won't fill it completely. I'm thinking Mankato more than Bemidji, but it applies to both schools.

            I think that this is the best approach. It beats rotating the tournament like College Hockey America sorta did (RMU never hosted).

            GFM
            I would think the reduction in conference games would be about creating more open weekends to schedule NC with the extra week of conference tournament.
            Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

            Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

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            • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

              Originally posted by Shirtless Guy View Post
              I would think the reduction in conference games would be about creating more open weekends to schedule NC with the extra week of conference tournament.
              Speaking of scheduling NC games, PSU and OSU made the tournament this year while each scheduling 5 AH games and 2 games with ASU (and yes, I know PSU got the autobid, but would have made it even with a Saturday loss). Math people, help me out here. Have we been doing this wrong? Is the key to a good RPI getting easier home wins as opposed to hoping to get road splits against top-notch competition? Or was this just a freaky year?

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              • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                Originally posted by purpleinnebraska View Post
                Speaking of scheduling NC games, PSU and OSU made the tournament this year while each scheduling 5 AH games and 2 games with ASU (and yes, I know PSU got the autobid, but would have made it even with a Saturday loss). Math people, help me out here. Have we been doing this wrong? Is the key to a good RPI getting easier home wins as opposed to hoping to get road splits against top-notch competition? Or was this just a freaky year?
                I think its pretty obvious that winning is the most important, the rule seems to be play the most difficult games you know you can win...as far as helping your autobid chances...preparing you for the tournament is a different issue.
                Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

                Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

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                • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                  Originally posted by gfmorris View Post
                  I've read that we're going to a 24-team schedule soon, maybe as early as next year. (I'll have to look up the press release and follow-on media stuff about that for timing.). I wonder if the plan here is to start the playoffs a week earlier and either do three straight, three-game series or provide a week off between the semis and final game to let people set up accommodations.
                  The Commish was on the Beaver Radio Network during the Saturday Bowling Green/Bemidji game and he mentioned that a 24 game schedule is being bantered around. Before the league pulls the trigger on it though, he wants to make sure that teams will be able to fill those games. The logistics of the setup are still up in the air. Here is the link to the Beaver Radio Network Page:

                  http://beaverradionetwork.com/?p=7285

                  I thought about splitting into two five team "divisions" and playing everyone in your division twice and then everyone in the other division once, but that is 26 games. I guess it would be something like this (as an example for the first year):

                  BSU Plays Mankato 4 time as its rival (4 games)
                  BSU plays the rival pair of UAH and BG four times each (8 games)
                  BSU plays all other rival pairs two times each, one team at home, one team on the road (12 games)

                  The pair you play four times in years two through four would rotate then. The teams you play two times would switch up home and road.

                  That would mean 10 to 14 non-conference games to fill depending on use of the "Alaska Exemptions".
                  Last edited by beaverhockeyfan; 03-20-2017, 03:26 PM.
                  Millsy

                  NCAA TOURNAMENT 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010!
                  FROZEN FOUR 2009!


                  "Like" The BeaverPond's Facebook Page

                  BEMIDJI STATE BEAVERS!
                  NAIA National Champs: 1968, '69, '70, '71, '73, '79, '80
                  NCAA D-III National Champs: 1986
                  NCAA D-II National Champs: 1984, '93, '94, '95, '97
                  NCAA D-I National Champs: 20??
                  Perfect 31-0 in 1983-84
                  Holders of an NCAA Mens Record 43 straight wins (Nov. 8, 1983-Jan. 1, 1985)

                  Comment


                  • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                    CHA teams will be able to tell you that having fewer conference games don't necessarily means that you're going to get the OOC games, and certainly not at home.

                    GFM
                    Geof F. Morris
                    UAH BSE MAE 2002
                    UAHHockey.com

                    Comment


                    • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                      Originally posted by gfmorris View Post
                      CHA teams will be able to tell you that having fewer conference games don't necessarily means that you're going to get the OOC games, and certainly not at home.

                      GFM
                      You and I have been there, so I know what you are saying. Are teams willing to give up one conference home series (and one conference road series) based on the fact they MIGHT get one or two home non-conference series? You have to have willing dance partners, and those aren't always easy to find. The Commish did say in that interview that he would like to see WCHA teams filling their non-conference schedule with local/regional rivals whenever possible.
                      Millsy

                      NCAA TOURNAMENT 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010!
                      FROZEN FOUR 2009!


                      "Like" The BeaverPond's Facebook Page

                      BEMIDJI STATE BEAVERS!
                      NAIA National Champs: 1968, '69, '70, '71, '73, '79, '80
                      NCAA D-III National Champs: 1986
                      NCAA D-II National Champs: 1984, '93, '94, '95, '97
                      NCAA D-I National Champs: 20??
                      Perfect 31-0 in 1983-84
                      Holders of an NCAA Mens Record 43 straight wins (Nov. 8, 1983-Jan. 1, 1985)

                      Comment


                      • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                        Originally posted by gfmorris View Post
                        CHA teams will be able to tell you that having fewer conference games don't necessarily means that you're going to get the OOC games, and certainly not at home.

                        GFM
                        Oh, I definitely think that the WCHA is at the appropriate number of conference games because of the alaska exemption.
                        Michigan Tech Legend, Founder of Mitch's Misfits, Co-Founder of Tech Hockey Guide, and Creator/Host of the Chasing MacNaughton Podcast covering MTU Hockey and the WCHA.

                        Sports Allegiance: NFL: GB MLB: MIL NHL: MIN CB: UW CF: UW CH: MTU FIFA: USA MLS: MIN EPL: Everton

                        Comment


                        • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                          Originally posted by JohnsonsJerseys View Post
                          I think the championship game will always do well. However your 1st and 2nd round games might not reach peak capacity for the high seeds. Fans might wait for more important games. Did anyone come close to selling out their first two round games this season?
                          Ryan
                          Originally posted by Shirtless Guy View Post
                          I disagree with the reason...the reason things will likely struggle is because of spring break.
                          Yeah, we only got one round of home games, and it was during spring break, so it's hard to judge.
                          My guy is a hard-nosed hockey player who is not afraid to crash the net. Your guy is a goon who runs the goalie.

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                          • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                            If butts in the seats is what they want, they better quit using Cincinnati as a regional
                            Kind of hard when NOBODY but UND and Miami are willing to even submit a bid to host. BG hosted with Toledo a few years back. The Huntington Center lost their rear end on it. They won't be bidding again, trust me.

                            If they wanted to help attendance in Cincy maybe they should had put OSU there. However, they couldn't because the committee didn't want to force Denver to play UND in Fargo and like I said UND bids EVERY FREAKING YEAR. Meanwhile Providence gets to play basically home games for the 2nd time in 3 years as a #4 seed!! That's a joke and Harvard has every right to be upset, which they are.

                            The current NCAA regional model is broken and I'm not sure how you fix it.....8 campus sites followed by 4 campus sites like it used to be....IDK. I do know that some of the most raucous home BG games I was ever at were the NCAA games they hosted in the 70's and 80's.

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                            • Re: 2017 WCHA Playoff Thread - Home Ice Advantage

                              Originally posted by bravohankins View Post
                              Kind of hard when NOBODY but UND and Miami are willing to even submit a bid to host. BG hosted with Toledo a few years back. The Huntington Center lost their rear end on it. They won't be bidding again, trust me.

                              If they wanted to help attendance in Cincy maybe they should had put OSU there. However, they couldn't because the committee didn't want to force Denver to play UND in Fargo and like I said UND bids EVERY FREAKING YEAR. Meanwhile Providence gets to play basically home games for the 2nd time in 3 years as a #4 seed!! That's a joke and Harvard has every right to be upset, which they are.

                              The current NCAA regional model is broken and I'm not sure how you fix it.....8 campus sites followed by 4 campus sites like it used to be....IDK. I do know that some of the most raucous home BG games I was ever at were the NCAA games they hosted in the 70's and 80's.
                              I'd like to see Green Bay bid again.
                              MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

                              It never get's easier, you just go faster. -Greg Lemond

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                              • Originally posted by manurespreader View Post
                                I'd like to see Green Bay bid again.
                                It won't happen again soon because of the girls state BBall tourney at the Resch.

                                As for the possibility of 4 additional NC games, it's difficult getting a split of NC games right now. Michigan Tech had no NC games in their rink this year and many others only have 2 or 3. Good luck.
                                Last edited by davyd83; 03-20-2017, 07:20 PM.
                                "The use of common sense and logic will not be tolerated and may result in fine and/or suspension."- Western Professional Hockey League By-laws. 1999-2000.

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