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Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

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  • #76
    Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

    Originally posted by solovsfett View Post

    Also, I'm belaboring the point but I think many of us saw this result coming.

    I'll align with gopher fans on this. I couldn't care less about Michigan, msu, osu or psu


    I agree 100% and I'm sure anybody with time & patience could find our posts, pre Big 6 hockey conference.

    I'd also like to comment on the players; if you are parents who's son had no offers to play anywhere, would you turn down a schooly offer from UW? Hell no. Even though (in my opinion) there are a lot players on this team who are not D-1 material, they were offered and accepted. I do not blame them.

    As a fan, I am more embarrassed in the administration and coaching staff, rather than the players.
    "Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." Vince Lombardi

    "License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations. Man; free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case, my enemy is a varmint....and a varmint will never quit...ever. They're like Viet Cong...Varmint Cong, so you have to fall back on superior intelligence and superior firepower...and that's all she wrote. Au revoir, gopher." Karl Spackler 1980

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    • #77
      Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

      I still maintain that the Big Ten hockey conference can be a good one. (I also said I'd wait about 8 years - 2 recruiting cycles - before making up my mind about where the conference stands in college hockey, overall.) The ****show surrounding the Badgers in the last couple of years goes well beyond any issues they may have with realignment. As far as fans are concerned, I know that it's virtually irrelevant to the student section shrinking. (I say "virtually" to account for the maybe 5 students who lost interest due to realignment.) I also know that it's way different for the "old people." If the Badgers-specific nonsense can get figured out, then I don't see why, over time, people wouldn't be able to embrace it. As was mentioned in the article, Michigan and Michigan State are old WCHA opponents. However, I've never seen anyone say the CCHA ruined college hockey by poaching teams from the WCHA.

      Then again, I've never fully understood why some fans (in all sports) are so thoroughly obsessed with the opponents of the Badgers. I understand the difference between a football game versus Troy and a game against a Big Ten team, but I find it silly how many fans are so obsessed with Ohio State that they find it difficult to enjoy a season in which the Buckeyes don't come to town. Meanwhile, I go to cheer on the Badgers. It's not that I don't care at all about the opponent, but it certainly isn't a major factor in my enjoyment of attending games. It really isn't. In men's hockey specifically, I can't honestly look at the 2011-2013 schedules and say "yup, those were way better than the most recent three seasons."

      As far as hockey goes, we're 3 years in and I'm already just as able to get excited for a matchup versus MSU as I am for a matchup against SCSU. While their D-I hockey history is incredibly short, I like watching games against PSU. They're a relevant program now. And Michigan? I shouldn't even have to bring them up. They recruit well despite being in the awful, horrible Big Ten. They're a "brand name" program. That first Big Ten series between the Badgers and Wolverines looked more like an old rivalry than any game I had been to in the prior two years, except matchups against Minnesota. (And if you completely ignore logos, colors, and the fans in the stands, that series could easily top them all since 2011.)

      The conference tournament wasn't going to be great. The teams are too far apart. I am disappointed that BTN gave up on hockey so soon. I liked the regular Friday doubleheaders in 2013-14. I like when casual fans have a >0% chance of watching, and that's what BTN games are. The reduction in BTN broadcasts isn't like the talent level of the league - I don't have to wait a couple of recruiting cycles to hate it. (If you want to get me on the "B1G Mistake" side of things, TV is the way to do it.)

      In any case, I'll keep going to games. I know most people who will see this post will think I'm a moron for not thinking that realignment was the worst thing ever. Maybe in the rest of my spare time, I can learn to hate Colorado College and Minnesota State.

      Comment


      • #78
        Originally posted by Gurtholfin View Post
        Agreed.

        I enjoyed the non-con games against the Michigans, but B1G hockey sucks so hard.

        Had people over last night and we had the SCSU/UMD game on in the background and everyone there was lamenting the old conference too.


        I believe that most Badger fans feel this way.


        From that article:

        "The Big Ten tournament returns to Xcel this season, with little apparent buzz. Tickets are not being sold for the upper deck, indicating limited interest."

        Not surprising, but... Ouch.
        I think everyone except PSU is bummed about the new league, which somehow makes it more obnoxious. It gutted so much of what made college hockey a cool, unique community. I am conflicted because in my dreams, it fails so hard that the BiG disbands and things reshuffle back to something resembling better days but i want MSU to have nice things and a continuously floundering B1G could prevent that.

        This has been discussed a lot but I think a lot of these decisions were made by non-hockey higher ups who were short sighted and naive to the culture of college hockey. I am just rambling now, really. I doubt things will change. It's just frustrating.

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        • #79
          Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

          Originally posted by WiscDC View Post
          I am disappointed that BTN gave up on hockey so soon. I liked the regular Friday doubleheaders in 2013-14. I like when casual fans have a >0% chance of watching, and that's what BTN games are. The reduction in BTN broadcasts isn't like the talent level of the league - I don't have to wait a couple of recruiting cycles to hate it. (If you want to get me on the "B1G Mistake" side of things, TV is the way to do it.)
          Agreed. And this really makes very little sense to me. I know many will say that the broadcasts are too expensive to produce vs the ratings they get, and that college hockey is a niche sport. But, if that's really the case, how come NBCSports shows games virtually every Friday and Saturday night, as well as CBSsports, and the Fox regionals? Those arguments just don't seem to hold up. And it really made no sense not to show the Badger-Buckeye game Saturday night. They already had a crew there for Friday night, and they didn't show any live sports instead - nothing but recaps/new was on all night. I am questioning the competence/decision making of the people running the network.

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          • #80
            Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

            Originally posted by solovsfett View Post
            Also, I'm belaboring the point but I think many of us saw this result coming.

            I'll align with gopher fans on this. I couldn't care less about Michigan, msu, osu or psu
            I care about the Michigan and MSU games, and also find PSU to be a breath of fresh air. Yes, I do really miss North Dakota, Denver, CC, and Duluth. And even Tech. But, I don't miss Bemidji, Mankato, St Cloud, Anchorage or Omaha at all. Yeah, the B1G sucks for now; but, I still have hopes that it will be better in a few years, and the rivalries will pick up.

            I am more intrigued and also concerned about the comments in the article saying that they are looking at options regarding the tournament and scheduling agreements with other conferences. The tournament is always going to be a problem given how spread out we are. I would try to put it in Chicago, as it's more centrally located and hopefully with the alumni base you could start to build it as an annual event/place to go to.

            A scheduling agreement could be good or bad. If it brings back more games against Denver, North Dakota and Duluth - good. If we only get a few against them, at the cost of having to schedule say Western Michigan and Miami - no thanks.

            I do NOT want to see them make ASU a hockey only member. I would be fine with a scheduling arrangement with them, so that everyone gives them a series and it helps break up the schedule later in the year (January and February).

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            • #81
              Originally posted by LordofBrewtown View Post
              I care about the Michigan and MSU games, and also find PSU to be a breath of fresh air. Yes, I do really miss North Dakota, Denver, CC, and Duluth. And even Tech. But, I don't miss Bemidji, Mankato, St Cloud, Anchorage or Omaha at all. Yeah, the B1G sucks for now; but, I still have hopes that it will be better in a few years, and the rivalries will pick up.

              I am more intrigued and also concerned about the comments in the article saying that they are looking at options regarding the tournament and scheduling agreements with other conferences. The tournament is always going to be a problem given how spread out we are. I would try to put it in Chicago, as it's more centrally located and hopefully with the alumni base you could start to build it as an annual event/place to go to.

              A scheduling agreement could be good or bad. If it brings back more games against Denver, North Dakota and Duluth - good. If we only get a few against them, at the cost of having to schedule say Western Michigan and Miami - no thanks.

              I do NOT want to see them make ASU a hockey only member. I would be fine with a scheduling arrangement with them, so that everyone gives them a series and it helps break up the schedule later in the year (January and February).
              I will add that I do enjoy the much more robust non-con schedule that the B1G has caused.

              I agree about ASU. They are complete dog **** and I would anticipate it being a slow build for them. I think ASU folks overestimate the willingness of many hockey players to play in the desert and it adds a long road trip each year when travel is already routinely long.

              Comment


              • #82
                Originally posted by WiscDC View Post
                When teams bolt for greener pastures in football, they're also doing it in all their other sports...unless you are suggesting that Minnesota might leave the Big Ten all because of hockey.
                Ugh, you're right. I had Marquette and Notre dame in my mind. Apples and oranges
                Everything in its right place, Wisconsin Hockey National Champs!


                "but you're not as confused as him are you. it's not your job to be as confused as Nigel". Tap pt 1.

                "I think it's ****ing stock. What--? Which part of that is unclear to you? I think it sounds stock to my ears. I mean, do you want me to write it down?" Tap Pt. 2

                Who???! So What!!!! Big Deal!!!!

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                • #83
                  Originally posted by LordofBrewtown View Post
                  Agreed. And this really makes very little sense to me. I know many will say that the broadcasts are too expensive to produce vs the ratings they get, and that college hockey is a niche sport. But, if that's really the case, how come NBCSports shows games virtually every Friday and Saturday night, as well as CBSsports, and the Fox regionals? Those arguments just don't seem to hold up. And it really made no sense not to show the Badger-Buckeye game Saturday night. They already had a crew there for Friday night, and they didn't show any live sports instead - nothing but recaps/new was on all night. I am questioning the competence/decision making of the people running the network.
                  I definitely saw articles and quotes about how televising games would be treated as an investment for the future, knowing they wouldn't pull big ratings right off the bat. By making college hockey a more regular TV event for the participating Big Ten schools, it could pay off in the long run. I guess they changed their minds.

                  Comment


                  • #84
                    Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

                    Not to butt in, but the networks college hockey coverage is much less this year than the last two or three. Apparently the ratings have been continuously bad.
                    MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

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

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                    • #85
                      Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

                      Originally posted by MadCityRich View Post
                      Nope, never.
                      I don't know, I just watched the Friday game and on the game tying goal, Hughes and Kunin were right next to the shooter and neither bothered to harrass him, lift his stick, tie him up or deck him. I know that's a micro point in the game, but the top line guys need to know how to play solid D in the D zone with the lead and seconds left in the game. That's a picture of the most talented guys not well coached.

                      Wasn't Rancid around when they recruited Wittchow and Schulz?
                      Wisconsin Hockey: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 WE WANT MORE!
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                      • #86
                        Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

                        Originally posted by DoorCtyBadger View Post
                        Mike eaves will always be remembered as one of the greatest badgers......
                        Not sure if this is meant as sarcasm, but I hope not. I think he will, and should be, remembered as a great player at UW. That he certainly deserves. I can separate the player Mike Eaves from Coach MM. I don't think any less of anyone that can't, but maybe they could consider the case of Bart Starr. While his tenure as GBP coach did not end as poorly as MM's tenure appears it will, I think the fact that Starr is back to beloved status in GB says a lot about separating the player and coach tenures.
                        Last edited by BuB; 02-28-2016, 07:38 PM.

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                        • #87
                          Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

                          Originally posted by BuB View Post
                          Not sure if this is meant as sarcasm, but I hope not. I think he will, and should be, remembered as a great player at UW. That he certainly deserves. I can separate the player Mike Eaves from Coach MM. I don't think any less of anyone that can't, but maybe they could consider the case of Bart Starr. While his tenure as GBP coach did not end as poorly as MM's tenure appears it will, I think the fact that Starr is back to beloved status in GB says a lot about separating the player and coach tenures.
                          See also: Coach Alvarez v. Barry The Administrator
                          If you want to be a BADGER, just come along with me

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                          At his graduation ceremony from the U of Minnesota, my cousin got a keychain. When asked what UW gave her for graduation, my sister said, "A degree from a University that matters."

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                          • #88
                            Originally posted by Gurtholfin View Post
                            Agreed.

                            I enjoyed the non-con games against the Michigans, but B1G hockey sucks so hard.

                            Had people over last night and we had the SCSU/UMD game on in the background and everyone there was lamenting the old conference too.


                            I believe that most Badger fans feel this way.


                            From that article:

                            "The Big Ten tournament returns to Xcel this season, with little apparent buzz. Tickets are not being sold for the upper deck, indicating limited interest."

                            Not surprising, but... Ouch.
                            Wow. No tickets sold in the upper deck? Money (or lack thereof) may yet convince the various admins how terrible this idea was.

                            Eliminating historic and/or regional rivalries was a huge mistake.

                            A couple of other thoughts
                            ...The idea of moving the tourney to Chicago might work for the tournament or it might fail terribly. That wouldn't address the problem of fan apathy towards the other schools though...

                            I honestly cared more about Michigan and MSU when the college hockey showcase was around. I wanted UW and Minnesota to thrash the ccha'ers
                            Last edited by solovsfett; 02-29-2016, 08:03 AM.
                            Everything in its right place, Wisconsin Hockey National Champs!


                            "but you're not as confused as him are you. it's not your job to be as confused as Nigel". Tap pt 1.

                            "I think it's ****ing stock. What--? Which part of that is unclear to you? I think it sounds stock to my ears. I mean, do you want me to write it down?" Tap Pt. 2

                            Who???! So What!!!! Big Deal!!!!

                            Comment


                            • #89
                              Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

                              Originally posted by solovsfett View Post
                              Wow. No tickets sold in the upper deck? Money (or lack thereof) may yet convince the various admins how terrible this idea was.

                              Eliminating historic and/or regional rivalries was a huge mistake.

                              A couple of other thoughts
                              ...The idea of moving the tourney to Chicago might work for the tournament or it might fail terribly. That wouldn't address the problem of fan apathy towards the other schools though...

                              I honestly cared more about Michigan and MSU when the college hockey showcase was around. I wanted UW and Minnesota to thrash the ccha'ers
                              I'm getting the sense that the people in charge of the Big Ten tourney are getting nervous. I've attended the Final Five/Big Ten Tourney every year since 1999 (except last year in Detroit). Last week, I got a personal call with a follow up email from someone in the ticket office asking if I had thought about renewing my tickets. The email showed they were only selling lower bowl seats. Seats in the club level were limited to neutral ice. What a huge change from the magic of the Final Five.

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                              • #90
                                Re: Wisconsin Hockey XXXVII: Waiting for the axe to fall

                                Didn't Barry, et al. promise us more coverage on BTN? I can count on one hand the number of games that I have been able to watch on TV (since I can't get the PBS substation). At present, the BTHC is sad all around. Teams aren't getting into the tournament. Ratings are bad. Attendance is bad, save for PSU. As has been noted, the Final Five used to be an event and now they can't even open the upper deck. I'll chime in another vote for the old rivalries. Yeah, they diluted it quite a bit when they added UNO and Bemidji, but I felt more of an interest in most of the other teams than the current crop. PSU, OSU? Meh. Just about every action taken by the conference, by the administration, and by TV is telling me they don't want me as a fan.
                                Randy Schmidt should be / has been fired.
                                Exhibit A | Exhibit B

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