Future of the ccha????

[ecbrevik]

Re: Future of the ccha????

Their first season above .500 since 2002 and they think they have a chance at being in the super Conference?

First trip back to the NCAA's since 1996.

They haven't posted a back to back winning season since 01-02.

Their *ing website "Why Western" doesn't even SHOW any photos from a game. And only ONE photo of the *ing hockey team (which is during practice).

And of their "notable" alumni, they pick three guys who I'm pretty sure have never uttered the letters W, M, and U in the same sentence upon leaving Kalamazoo.

They're grasping at straws.

Only 2 teams in the CCHA had fewer league victories last yr

WMU wants to be with one of the "big boy" groups and is willing to spend the money. All the other schools in the "Superconference" are looking around trying to figure out who is going to end up finishing last. Maybe they view WMU as the answer.

[Flashy Man]

Re: Future of the ccha????

NMU to the WCHA
http://rinkandrun.areavoices.com/201...higan-to-wcha/

Looks like the CCHA is dismantling.

[ecbrevik]

Re: Future of the ccha????

NMU to the WCHA
http://rinkandrun.areavoices.com/201...higan-to-wcha/

Looks like the CCHA is dismantling.

Interesting that Fairbanks is mentioned as the next possible move to the WCHA. That would get the Alaska fans the shared conference affiliation they are looking for and would give the new WCHA at least 7 teams.

[aparch]

Re: Future of the ccha????

Interesting that Fairbanks is mentioned as the next possible move to the WCHA. That would get the Alaska fans the shared conference affiliation they are looking for and would give the new WCHA at least 7 teams.

And, seven teams gives a balanced 24 game conference schedule. Including the Alaska exemption, 12 non-conference games can be scheduled. I would assume since both schools would be in the same conference that a flight to Alaska would happen every year.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Future of the ccha????

If one more CCHA team bolts, I'd say that would make the two-conference solution pretty unlikely.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Future of the ccha????

And, seven teams gives a balanced 24 game conference schedule. Including the Alaska exemption, 12 non-conference games can be scheduled. I would assume since both schools would be in the same conference that a flight to Alaska would happen every year.

It would have to, as a balanced schedule would require 2 games @Anchorage and 2 games @Fairbanks. What would make the most sense would be to play both schools on back to back weekends and keep flight costs down by making it 1 trip. Of course, that would require the players to miss nearly 2 weeks of school.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Future of the ccha????

It would have to, as a balanced schedule would require 2 games @Anchorage and 2 games @Fairbanks. What would make the most sense would be to play both schools on back to back weekends and keep flight costs down by making it 1 trip. Of course, that would require the players to miss nearly 2 weeks of school.

Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure that the NCAA wouldn't allow it.

[davyd83]

Re: Future of the ccha????

And, seven teams gives a balanced 24 game conference schedule. Including the Alaska exemption, 12 non-conference games can be scheduled. I would assume since both schools would be in the same conference that a flight to Alaska would happen every year.

You would need to make 2 Alaska trips per year in a seven team conference. If you have eight teams, it's 3 every 2 years. In the two trip years you would have the opportunity to play 38 games.

That being said, and I have a lot of respect for the Duluth writer who has blogged this, but also note, he's put it in his blog, but not in the paper.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Future of the ccha????

You would need to make 2 Alaska trips per year in a seven team conference. If you have eight teams, it's 3 every 2 years. In the two trip years you would have the opportunity to play 38 games.

I don't think you can use the exemption twice in one season. 36 max.

[RMUColonials]

Re: Future of the ccha????

It would have to, as a balanced schedule would require 2 games @Anchorage and 2 games @Fairbanks. What would make the most sense would be to play both schools on back to back weekends and keep flight costs down by making it 1 trip. Of course, that would require the players to miss nearly 2 weeks of school.

Unless they do something where the first "set" of games is Sat/Sun (Friday departure) and the 2nd "set" is Friday/Sat, so they would miss Friday through Friday, instead of Thurs through Friday. It's only one day, but it's better than also missing that day.

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Future of the ccha????

Don't quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure that the NCAA wouldn't allow it.

I think you are correct now that you mention it. I believe it is something about x amount of hours from departure until you have to be back, with exceptions for post season play.

I don't think you can use the exemption twice in one season. 36 max.

Correct. You only get up to two games for the Alaska exemption regardless if you play them twice or ten times.

[aparch]

Re: Future of the ccha????

If one more CCHA team bolts, I'd say that would make the two-conference solution pretty unlikely.

Not quite. UAH needs a home.

So far we have:
(Remaining WCHA)
Anchorage
Bemidji
Mankato
Michigan Tech
St. Cloud
Northern Michigan **
Alaska? **

(Remaining CCHA)
Northern Michigan
Lake Superior State
Ferris State
Western Michigan*
Notre Dame*
Bowling Green
Alaska
UAH **
Robert Morris **
Niagara **
Mercyhurst **

* They're bailing somewhere but won't admit it.
** I've added in UAH (which needs a home) and the three most likely AHA teams that can step up to full scholarships.


If I'm Fred Pletch, I'm on the phone with UAH, Robert Morris, Niagara and Mercyhurst. Six hours ago.

[aparch]

Re: Future of the ccha????

You would need to make 2 Alaska trips per year in a seven team conference.

Crap. Yep. Had the math right, but forgot about the two trips. Was thinking about how CCHA/WCHA does it now every other year to Alaska.

Still, 14 non-conference games is a good slate.

[broncos24]

Re: Future of the ccha????

If I'm Fred Pletch, I'm on the phone with UAH, Robert Morris, Niagara and Mercyhurst. Six hours ago.

Fred is probably on vacation right now.

He needs a break after probably interviewing for positions within the Big Ten offices.

[davyd83]

Re: Future of the ccha????

Unless they do something where the first "set" of games is Sat/Sun (Friday departure) and the 2nd "set" is Friday/Sat, so they would miss Friday through Friday, instead of Thurs through Friday. It's only one day, but it's better than also missing that day.

They would miss Thursday-Sunday in that scenario. You travel to Alaska a minimum of two days out.You don't spend 18 hours getting to Fairbanks on Friday and play Saturday night.