2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

[kdiff77]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Now that ECAC is going to Lake Placid, would it be possible to nominate Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City?

Truthfully among the worst venues I've ever been to. So I definitely second this motion.

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Now that ECAC is going to Lake Placid, would it be possible to nominate Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City?

Truthfully among the worst venues I've ever been to. So I definitely second this motion.

Me three!

[Snively65]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Bump.

So, what's happening? Any results yet?

[Freddie]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

The committee has been on a drunken bender touring possible tournament sites in Texas and West Virginia.

To date we have only received bids from 4 sites, including one in Sochi...and that one can't (by rule) be considered.

If we don't get more input on potential sites, the tournament will be cancelled.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Don't know if it looks too nice to qualify, but the location may result in certain types of ice conditions. Not to mention, associated travel costs.

http://www.icepalacehawaii.com/hockey

[Freddie]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Don't know if it looks too nice to qualify, but the location may result in certain types of ice conditions. Not to mention, associated travel costs.

http://www.icepalacehawaii.com/hockey

Holding a BFB regional in a location that might actually be attractive to fans is a major drawback, but the committee MIGHT consider this site provided teams are NOT permitted to fly to Hawaii. We're thinking about some sort of Kon-Tiki canoe or Tom Hanks/Castaway raft.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Holding a BFB regional in a location that might actually be attractive to fans is a major drawback, but the committee MIGHT consider this site provided teams are NOT permitted to fly to Hawaii. We're thinking about some sort of Kon-Tiki canoe or Tom Hanks/Castaway raft.

Kayak. That's what Google Maps says to do.

[BUPhD]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

We've got to have this, it's BU's best chance!

1. The Blades Multiplex in Rio rancho, NM

http://www.yelp.com/biz/blades-multi...nas-rio-rancho

Sounds like a great rink with a chance of sex offenders.

2. Sharpstown Ice Center, Houston TX

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sharpstown-ice-center-houston

It's in a major city, but sounds like it's in the sort of spot that would endanger everyone. Some concern that the ice quality may be good enough for hockey.

3. Buddy's skate land, Albuquerque, NM

http://www.yelp.com/biz/buddys-skate-land-albuquerque

Apparently a plastic surface. ***?

4. The Cold Spike. Las Vegas NV

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cold-spike-north-las-vegas

Yeah, Vegas...but outside of the strip it's a ****hole. Players run the risk of being press ganged into sex slavery. Also, another plastic surface?

5. Alpine Ice Arena, Louisville KY

http://www.yelp.com/biz/alpine-ice-arena-louisville

No zamboni, horrible ice, loud music, obnoxious teens, dank dirty smell..what's not to love?

6. The Iceland sports complex, Louisville KY

http://www.yelp.com/biz/iceland-spor...lex-louisville

Seems almost nice in comparison to the Alpine, but the dark lighting, lack of zamboni, and apparently there's something under the locker area worth a look...

[MissThundercat]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

I don't have a link handy, but the Fun Spot in Muskegon, MI might be a good choice. It's an abandoned roller rink.

[Red Cows]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

The Benson Ice Arena here in Omaha sounds like a prefect spot:

http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...131239972/1687

FYI, UNO has practiced here in the past, one of a litany of rinks around town where they have done so.

How about UNO's old home, The Omaha Civic Auditorium:

http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...140218534/1707

They both have some life left in them before meeting the wrecking ball.

[Freddie]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

The selection committee has chosen the following sites for the 2014 BFB regionals and Futile Four:

NORTHEAST REGIONAL: John T Wright Arena, Englewood NJ
http://www.northjersey.com/news/anot...ewood-1.593679
Never repaired after Hurricane Sandy, and in New Jersey...PERFECT.

EAST REGIONAL: Iceland Sports Complex, Louisville KY
http://www.yelp.com/biz/iceland-spor...lex-louisville
Pictures look almost TOO nice, but the reviews are horrible.


MIDWEST REGIONAL: George Gipp Arena, Laurium MI
http://www.michigan.org/property/geo...age-ice-arena/
Prior experience with 2012 regional was complete disaster, plus its in the middle of absolute nowhere!

WEST REGIONAL: Rotary Centenial Ice Rink, Ashland OR
http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbc...WS02/311090301
They were close to getting a bid last year, but now they have a ROOF!


FUTILE FOUR: Benson Ice Arena, Omaha NE
http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...131239972/1687
The place has been closed for several years, and soon to be demolished. Sounds like our kind of spot.

[Freddie]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Now that the sites have been selected, we can move on to team selection on the other thread.

The committee will leave this thread open so folks can have a place to complain about their favorite dump not being chosen.

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Unfortunately, repairs will likely prevent Playland Ice Casino in Rye, N.Y., from being considered for next year. It remains closed after Sandy and features a delightfully non-standard 208 x 77 ice surface.

http://www.ryeplayland.org/ice_casino.html

[vizoroo]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

Unfortunately, repairs will likely prevent Playland Ice Casino in Rye, N.Y., from being considered for next year. It remains closed after Sandy and features a delightfully non-standard 208 x 77 ice surface.

http://www.ryeplayland.org/ice_casino.html

Perhaps they could put off repairs for such a prestigious event

[Freddie]

Re: 2014 Bottom-Feeders Bracket: Road to "Futile Four" Site Selection Process

It's official: Recently completed repairs at the John T. Wright Arena in Englewood NJ have rendered that once proudly dilapidated, hurricane ravaged building completely unsuitable for hosting our BFB regional.

The committee deeply regrets the error, and lays the blame entirely on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for failing to keep lanes closed on nearby highways and bridges. "We had a firm understanding with the governor's office that lane closures would prevent workers and materials from getting anywhere near that facility any sooner than April 1st" says BFB/F4 spokesman Ashley Roachclip. "We feel betrayed, and will refer the matter to our legal counsel as soon as he completes rehab."

In the meanwhile, the Northeast regional has been moved to Fritz Deitl Ice Rink in Westwood NJ.
https://picasaweb.google.com/DBPShockey

Roachclip went on to praise the efforts of USCHO Fan Forum poster "joecct" for bringing the Wright Arena situation to the committee's attention, and for suggesting Fritz Deitl as an alternative. "It is only through the efforts of dedicated folks like Joe that an organization such as ours can continue to consistently fall below expectations." Joe will be awarded the "Alfred E. Newman Lack-of-Achievement Medal" at this year's Futile Four awards banquet to be held in room 216 of the Motel Six at Council Bluffs Iowa immediately following the final.