Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

The Frozen Four is now a contractual sellout (16,000+) no matter where you host it - it doesn't matter if the locals come out or not since most tickets are pre-sold to die hard travelling fans from around the country.

Well, in that case, let's bring it back to Cincinnati...

{ducks}

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

And in addition to the factors that pgb mentioned, of course there’s the factor of which teams are playing, which is the wild card that prevents a laboratory-type experiment that truly tests the effect of the location. The worst atmosphere of the FF’s that I’ve attended was Columbus, which is a college hockey town, and the poor attendance had little to do with the quality of Columbus as a FF host and a lot to do with the teams that were there.

That's because it was a WCHA Do-Over Tournament.

Seriously, though, I tried to sell my ticket, something I never would have done prior or since, to get out of going for those reasons (I did once bail when it was in Boston because I had a last minute opportunity to go to Paris dirt cheap). I had no enthusiasm whatsoever to watch a WCHA Do-Over Tournament masquerading as the national championship. Couldn't sell it, so I ended up going. Our group did eat a lot of other tickets that year.

Some people mention New York, but I can’t see MSG putting together a bid,

I thought MSG did put in a bid once? Or did they decide not to at the last minute? I know they talked about it a lot.

Boston seems incapable of putting together a credible bid.

That's because the NCAA is still p*ss*d off at Boston because of what happened the last time they hosted.

One of my favorite cities, and others have mentioned this, was Providence. Had a ton of fun, fantastic atmosphere in the rink, and the town really embraced us and the event. But alas, the arena is now too small.

[Puck Swami]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

Seriously, though, I tried to sell my ticket, something I never would have done prior or since, to get out of going for those reasons (I did once bail when it was in Boston because I had a last minute opportunity to go to Paris dirt cheap). I had no enthusiasm whatsoever to watch a WCHA Do-Over Tournament masquerading as the national championship.

So you are saying that the only Frozen Fours worth watching are those with Eastern teams in it? As a fan of the winning team that year, I saw no masqerade, and every Denver player will tell you that that National Championship probably meant a little bit more to them becuase they had to beat their two top rivals in the Frozen Four in order to win the big trophy. DU played CC 6 times that year, and North Dakota four times, so they both knew us pretty well. Every fan is entitled to their opinion, but it would be great for the sport if people could put aside regional biases and go on to cheer on the teams that do make it to the Frozen Four, even when they aren't your favorites...

In short, the four teams that do make it had to beat some good teams to get there, and it certainly doesn't cheapen the tournament, or make it into a masquerade. Those teams deserve your support, not your derision.

[state of hockey]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

In short, the four teams that do make it had to beat some good teams to get there, and it certainly doesn't cheapen the tournament, or make it into a masquerade. Those teams deserve your support, not your derision.

No kidding. Never realized that the teams that made it didn't have to beat teams from other regions to get there. It was still the national tournament. What a weak argument.

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

So you are saying that the only Frozen Fours worth watching are those with Eastern teams in it? As a fan of the winning team that year, I saw no masqerade, and every Denver player will tell you that that National Championship probably meant a little bit more to them becuase they had to beat their two top rivals in the Frozen Four in order to win the big trophy. DU played CC 6 times that year, and North Dakota four times, so they both knew us pretty well. Every fan is entitled to their opinion, but it would be great for the sport if people could put aside regional biases and go on to cheer on the teams that do make it to the Frozen Four, even when they aren't your favorites...

In short, the four teams that do make it had to beat some good teams to get there, and it certainly doesn't cheapen the tournament, or make it into a masquerade. Those teams deserve your support, not your derision.

Not at all. If they were all ECAC teams or all Hockey East teams, I would have felt the same way. I have little desire to see a conference do-over tournament.

Yes, the fact that they are the four best teams (as proven by the playoff results) cannot be argued. But I would argue I don't always look for that in a national tournament. The two best teams don't always make the Super Bowl because they may be in the same conference. And that doesn't bother me a bit. I want a NATIONAL tournament. Not a conference do-over tournament.

(BTW, the first Frozen Four I went to was the first one in Albany with all Western teams. Had no problem with it. Great tournament. Happened to be rooting for LSSU as it turned out. It has nothing to do with regional bias. I can even put up with the finals consisting of the same conference. Happens a lot, and does tend to produce amazing games because of the rivalries. It has to do with watching a conference do-over tournament.)

(BTW2, this has NOTHING to do with how the players feel. They are going to feel great winning the title no matter who they play. As well they should. This has to do with how I feel since I am the one buying the ticket.)

[Puck Swami]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

Not at all. If they were all ECAC teams or all Hockey East teams, I would have felt the same way. I have little desire to see a conference do-over tournament.

Yes, the fact that they are the four best teams (as proven by the playoff results) cannot be argued. But I would argue I don't always look for that in a national tournament. The two best teams don't always make the Super Bowl because they may be in the same conference. And that doesn't bother me a bit. I want a NATIONAL tournament. Not a conference do-over tournament.

(BTW, the first Frozen Four I went to was the first one in Albany with all Western teams. Had no problem with it. Great tournament. Happened to be rooting for LSSU as it turned out. It has nothing to do with regional bias. I can even put up with the finals consisting of the same conference. Happens a lot, and does tend to produce amazing games because of the rivalries. It has to do with watching a conference do-over tournament.)

(BTW2, this has NOTHING to do with how the players feel. They are going to feel great winning the title no matter who they play. As well they should. This has to do with how I feel since I am the one buying the ticket.)

Okay, now I get your point of view and glad to hear its not a regional bias, but a reaction against repeat conference tourney matchups. I see your point, but I differ a little bit in thinking that it's not really a do-over, but an emergence of the most deserving teams on the biggest stage. I also love seeing my team play teams that they don't normally play, and I also want a national tounrnament with bracket integrity. I hated the 2001-2002 post-9/11 'regionalization' mandate where eastern teams stayed east and western teams stayed west in the regionals.

[Onion Man]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

This sport should embrace the areas of the country that embrace it for the Frozen Four. Putting it in yahoo-towns like Nashville is pointless. Boston, Denver, St. Paul, Detroit, and Milwaukee should be the only towns that host this event. The southern rednecks can have NASCAR, we can have college hockey. Let's just keep it that way.

[state of hockey]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

I'd much rather go to Nashville than Detroit.

I'll be honest though, I mostly want this to happen to witness your hissy when it does.

[bigmrg74]

This sport should embrace the areas of the country that embrace it for the Frozen Four. Putting it in yahoo-towns like Nashville is pointless. Boston, Denver, St. Paul, Detroit, and Milwaukee should be the only towns that host this event. The southern rednecks can have NASCAR, we can have college hockey. Let's just keep it that way.

You're a real bastion of open-mindedness ain't you??

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

I like going to different and interesting places for the frozen 4, it would get boring if it rotated between the same 5 cities all the time. Give me 5 regulars with new places mixed in every other year.

[darker98]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

Why does it matter? If Nashville put in a bid and if they win they took the chance. If it sucks there then they won't do it again. As long as the game is being played is all that matters to me.

[gfmorris]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

This sport should embrace the areas of the country that embrace it for the Frozen Four. Putting it in yahoo-towns like Nashville is pointless. Boston, Denver, St. Paul, Detroit, and Milwaukee should be the only towns that host this event. The southern rednecks can have NASCAR, we can have college hockey. Let's just keep it that way.

Hm. Two NASCAR Sprint Cup Races take place in SE Michigan every year. NASCAR happens yearly at lower levels in Milwaukee. There's regularly races at lower levels throughout the Midwest. NASCAR goes to the following locations once a year: the Poconos in Pennsylvania, Dover in Delaware, Watkins Glen in upstate NY, and, oh, New Hampshire. Meanwhile, there are as many races in Phoenix, AZ as there are in Talladega, AL.

I know, never let facts get in the way of a good rant. For the record, I had to look this up on Wikipedia, because while I've lived in Mississippi and then Alabama since 1991, I really don't give a **** about NASCAR.

GFM

[gfmorris]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

Why does it matter? If Nashville put in a bid and if they win they took the chance. If it sucks there then they won't do it again. As long as the game is being played is all that matters to me.

It could be worse. You could have two teams from a defunct-at-the-end-of-the-year conference make the postseason.

GFM

[darker98]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

It could be worse. You could have two teams from a defunct-at-the-end-of-the-year conference make the postseason.

GFM

That would never happen.

[Puck Swami]

Re: Nashville 2015 (Frozen 4)?

This sport should embrace the areas of the country that embrace it for the Frozen Four. Putting it in yahoo-towns like Nashville is pointless. Boston, Denver, St. Paul, Detroit, and Milwaukee should be the only towns that host this event. The southern rednecks can have NASCAR, we can have college hockey. Let's just keep it that way.

Provincialism has always hurt our sport. I like traditional places too, but I believe that occasionally hosting it in new places creates exposure for our game and brings new fun for our travelling fanbases.