I went looking for the old thread but I see we managed to lock it up.
Brad S. posted a link to a Paisley story about the upcoming NCHC meetings, and possible changes. I think the one that is most intriguing relates to the NCHC playoffs, and the idea of skipping the first round series and have all 8 teams show up in Minneapolis for a 3 day festival of games. Although the league probably won't come out and say it, such a format eliminates the doomsday scenario of UND, SCSU and UMD all missing the tournament.
But it also has the benefit of letting the teams, and their fans know they will be in Minneapolis, so they can plan accordingly.
I personally love the idea. 4 college hockey games, single elimination, all in one day at one venue. I can't imagine a better day of hockey than that. I think that idea would have a real shot at growing the NCHC tournament into a destination "event" for the fans of these 8 teams.
The plan obviously has some deficiencies. The league misses out on the revenue from all those first round games. You also make the 1st and 2nd place teams in the tournament play 3 games in 3 nights one week before the NCAAs. But from a fan perspective, I am absolutely in favor.
But here is my question. Is it possible to even squeeze in 4 college hockey games in one day in the same venue? MN State High School does it, but their games don't run as long.
Last year the league scheduled games 3 1/2 hours apart in Minneapolis. That was plenty of time, by the way.
Using that format, you'd probably have to have the first game at 10:00 a.m., followed by 1:30, 5:00 and 8:30 p.m. With no overtimes or glitches, you'd be out of there by about 11 p.m. Or, you could kick it all back an hour and be out by midnight, assuming no overtime games.
I think it's a terrific idea, but I don't see the league taking a chance on it.
Brad S. posted a link to a Paisley story about the upcoming NCHC meetings, and possible changes. I think the one that is most intriguing relates to the NCHC playoffs, and the idea of skipping the first round series and have all 8 teams show up in Minneapolis for a 3 day festival of games. Although the league probably won't come out and say it, such a format eliminates the doomsday scenario of UND, SCSU and UMD all missing the tournament.
But it also has the benefit of letting the teams, and their fans know they will be in Minneapolis, so they can plan accordingly.
I personally love the idea. 4 college hockey games, single elimination, all in one day at one venue. I can't imagine a better day of hockey than that. I think that idea would have a real shot at growing the NCHC tournament into a destination "event" for the fans of these 8 teams.
The plan obviously has some deficiencies. The league misses out on the revenue from all those first round games. You also make the 1st and 2nd place teams in the tournament play 3 games in 3 nights one week before the NCAAs. But from a fan perspective, I am absolutely in favor.
But here is my question. Is it possible to even squeeze in 4 college hockey games in one day in the same venue? MN State High School does it, but their games don't run as long.
Last year the league scheduled games 3 1/2 hours apart in Minneapolis. That was plenty of time, by the way.
Using that format, you'd probably have to have the first game at 10:00 a.m., followed by 1:30, 5:00 and 8:30 p.m. With no overtimes or glitches, you'd be out of there by about 11 p.m. Or, you could kick it all back an hour and be out by midnight, assuming no overtime games.
I think it's a terrific idea, but I don't see the league taking a chance on it.
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