Re: NCAA Regionals - Time to Go Back to 2 Sites?
I would like to see tourney completed over a 3 week period.
First round..Friday, Saturday and if neccessary Sunday. The better seeded team gets the home ice for a best of 3 series.
2nd round..same thing. Road teams that pull off the upset get a 2-3 days at home before going back on the road on Wednesday.
The 2nd round winners advance to the Frozen Four and you play at the picked site.
I like this for a couple of reasons....
1. It protects the better seeded teams. The bounce of the puck in one game format can be unpredictable so force the lower seeded teams to win 2 games on the road. 4 #1 seeds have been upset in round 1 of the tourney over the last 2 years.
2. You get sellouts rather than half or 3/4 empty neutral site arenas. Fort Wayne on TV was sad to look at. Pick your favorite school..it's hard to imagine the crowds would not turn out.
3. I would think that the NCAA Would make more money. I guess I could be proven wrong on that. I just assume this would be the case because more ticket sales and cheaper rent.
4. Plus you create an atmosphere. If you have been to an NCAA men's basketball and a men's hockey tourney game...the atmosphere is night and day. There is just little buzz more times than not at these neutral hockey sites.
I would like to see tourney completed over a 3 week period.
First round..Friday, Saturday and if neccessary Sunday. The better seeded team gets the home ice for a best of 3 series.
2nd round..same thing. Road teams that pull off the upset get a 2-3 days at home before going back on the road on Wednesday.
The 2nd round winners advance to the Frozen Four and you play at the picked site.
I like this for a couple of reasons....
1. It protects the better seeded teams. The bounce of the puck in one game format can be unpredictable so force the lower seeded teams to win 2 games on the road. 4 #1 seeds have been upset in round 1 of the tourney over the last 2 years.
2. You get sellouts rather than half or 3/4 empty neutral site arenas. Fort Wayne on TV was sad to look at. Pick your favorite school..it's hard to imagine the crowds would not turn out.
3. I would think that the NCAA Would make more money. I guess I could be proven wrong on that. I just assume this would be the case because more ticket sales and cheaper rent.
4. Plus you create an atmosphere. If you have been to an NCAA men's basketball and a men's hockey tourney game...the atmosphere is night and day. There is just little buzz more times than not at these neutral hockey sites.
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