2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

That's really not true. They did it in St. Louis and even though there was nothing going on in that city at all, no one knew what was going on. So no. I don't want it in Kansas City.

Are you kidding me? Everyone in St Louis knew the Frozen Four was there and it was a big deal to them...

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

That's really not true. They did it in St. Louis and even though there was nothing going on in that city at all, no one knew what was going on. So no. I don't want it in Kansas City. The media didn't care, the city didn't care and most of the populace didn't even know it was happening. That all goes directly against your opinion that a mid sized city should have it. MSG would sell out the event and people would go. Problem is logistics.

I was there in 2007, and every business owner and bar that I went into was aware of why I was wearing Michigan State gear. One shop owner even offered 10% off for people with hockey tickets...just an example of how the smaller markets seem to appreciate the event more than the larger cities. That was the most well attended Frozen Four ever and some of that must have had to do with the fact that it was a big fish in a small pond.

 

[thebrain]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

That's really not true. They did it in St. Louis and even though there was nothing going on in that city at all, no one knew what was going on. So no. I don't want it in Kansas City.

The hosts need to do their part too. I think Kansas City wanting to show they're capable of landing a NHL team would go out of their way. Then again, without any teams nearby, besides UNO, people won't care. What's the hook for the locals in cities without a team? Probably nothing...The only thing going on in KC during the beginning of April is Royals baseball, so really nothing is going on sportswise in KC. Go to place where you have a shot at being the only show in town, rather than playing 3rd, 4th, of 5th fiddle and be forgotten or ignored.

Fargo, North Dakota has a big national wrestling tournament every summer. I was working in the sports department. We covered maybe 2-3 matches and tried to find some kind of a local angle otherwise, what's the point of showing highlights and promoting people that have no affect on the locals.

The trade-off of being the only show in town(in a non-hockey town) is you're going to be in a small town like KC or Fargo.

Overall, I think we need to accept the fact that this is a regional sport, with regional interest, and directed at a small niche of people, which is really hockey in general.

I don't think hosting in non-tradional cities will expose the sport to new people. I think the first step in building college hockey is getting it on television in full arenas on a regular basis. Having regional games where all you see on TV are empty seats isn't going to hook in a casual fan.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

Are you kidding me? Everyone in St Louis knew the Frozen Four was there and it was a big deal to them...

Haha, we must have gone in opposite directions. The bar we went to had no idea why we were there on Thursday during the day and when we told them started setting up stuff and calling in more staff. They changed their chalkboard from the Women's Basketball drawing they had up to a Frozen Four thing.

By the end of Thursday, the restaurants had figured it out and acted accordingly. But to say they knew what was going on before people started showing up in jerseys they weren't familiar with? No way, not for the places we went.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

I was there in 2007, and every business owner and bar that I went into was aware of why I was wearing Michigan State gear. One shop owner even offered 10% off for people with hockey tickets...just an example of how the smaller markets seem to appreciate the event more than the larger cities. That was the most well attended Frozen Four ever and some of that must have had to do with the fact that it was a big fish in a small pond.

It wasn't all that well attended. It was sold out and because of that was considered well attended: it had I believe the highest capacity of any FF site since the event started selling out.

The Thursday games were a third empty. Since I've attended since 2006, that was the most empty I've seen the Thursday games (though the BC vs UND game in WI wasn't well attended.)

Lets not use the absurd seats sold to determine attendance, its a misleading statistic.

I hope they never go back to StL. Not unless they get a team closer to the city that helps attendance significantly.

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

It wasn't all that well attended. It was sold out and because of that was considered well attended: it had I believe the highest capacity of any FF site since the event started selling out.

The Thursday games were a third empty. Since I've attended since 2006, that was the most empty I've seen the Thursday games (though the BC vs UND game in WI wasn't well attended.)

Lets not use the absurd seats sold to determine attendance, its a misleading statistic.

I hope they never go back to StL. Not unless they get a team closer to the city that helps attendance significantly.

I agree that the building was partially empty, but we have seen that at every frozen four regardless of location for the semifinals. The only time it is every completely full is towards the end of the first games as fans arrive for the second game. It's not a StL thing...it's a frozen four thing in general.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

I agree that the building was partially empty, but we have seen that at every frozen four regardless of location for the semifinals. The only time it is every completely full is towards the end of the first games as fans arrive for the second game. It's not a StL thing...it's a frozen four thing in general.

Well StL was also where people couldn't give tickets away and even the championship game had serious attendance issues.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

Well StL was also where people couldn't give tickets away and even the championship game had serious attendance issues.

What are you smoking you toilet violator? St. Louis was fine.

 

[theprofromdover]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

Well StL was also where people couldn't give tickets away and even the championship game had serious attendance issues.

Wrong again.

 

[GB Puck Fan]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

If you thought there were issues for the Frozen Four, just wait for STL's regionals next year ... better hope UNO gets there - that's gotta be the closest team right?

I'm guessing Green Bay would be the preferred spot for Wisconsin and/or Minnesota.

 

[PiosAvsFan]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

I hope Pittsburgh gets to host in 2013 while I'm still living there.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

Wrong again.

Tickets were going for 20 dollars in the lower bowl. I guess you talked to scalpers in St. Louis.

 

[quiddlet]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

The final looked like it drew decently on TV... It was an interesting idea, and it's over now...

Let's not do it again.

The worst part was the atmosphere... could barely hear anybody cheering ever due to the half empty stadium.

 

[MagnessMan]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

The final looked like it drew decently on TV... It was an interesting idea, and it's over now...

Let's not do it again.

The worst part was the atmosphere... could barely hear anybody cheering ever due to the half empty stadium.

You have to admit drawing 37K for a college hockey game is pretty **** cool. It will happen again, I'm sure because the NCAA is a money grubbing bureaucratic monster. Packing them in feeds the monster. It might be 5-7 years down the road but it will happen again.

Anyone know when the 13 and 14 FF sites as well as the 12 regional will be announced? Is it this summer?

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

You have to admit drawing 37K for a college hockey game is pretty **** cool. It will happen again, I'm sure because the NCAA is a money grubbing bureaucratic monster. Packing them in feeds the monster. It might be 5-7 years down the road but it will happen again.

Anyone know when the 13 and 14 FF sites as well as the 12 regional will be announced? Is it this summer?

Yep, I fully expect another Stadium Frozen Four to happen again, and most likely within another 10 years. Too much money making potential for it not to happen.

I will say this though about it. The NCAA should at least make sure that when another one happens again, the big schools have a section that they can sell solely to the Students, so that they all have a cheering section that can reach critical mass for making Noise. Old people don't get up and be rowdy. It looked like a like a few of the Wisconsin fans wanted to do it, but there wasn't a section where they could do it.

If you had the Jersey Shore Boys and few hundred more Wisconsin students backing them, they could have made a hell of a lot more noise in there for the game.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

You have to admit drawing 37K for a college hockey game is pretty **** cool. It will happen again, I'm sure because the NCAA is a money grubbing bureaucratic monster. Packing them in feeds the monster. It might be 5-7 years down the road but it will happen again.

Anyone know when the 13 and 14 FF sites as well as the 12 regional will be announced? Is it this summer?

Why is it awesome to draw 37k when WI and MI have each had outdoor games that drew much more for a REGULAR SEASON game?

It's not awesome at all to draw 37K when the NCAA was selling ticket packages for $40.

I never want to see this happen again. This was a test run from the eventual NCAA plan to do this on a regular basis: make no mistake. They want to maximize every cent they can from this. They don't care about the fans or the experience. They just want as much money as possible.

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

Why is it awesome to draw 37k when WI and MI have each had outdoor games that drew much more for a REGULAR SEASON game?

It's not awesome at all to draw 37K when the NCAA was selling ticket packages for $40.

I never want to see this happen again. This was a test run from the eventual NCAA plan to do this on a regular basis: make no mistake. They want to maximize every cent they can from this. They don't care about the fans or the experience. They just want as much money as possible.

A representative from the NCAA was very clear to the Detroit Free Press tonight that there is no plan to make this a regular routine. They said it may be explored in the future, but they do recognize the importance of keeping the quality of all facets of the event to the highest standard. She said “It’s been a great experience for these student-athletes, a once in a lifetime thing for them. NHL buildings have been really good to us the last few years. My guess is we’ll go back to NHL buildings for a while.”

Here is the full article...
http://freep.com/article/20100410/S...s-happy-with-Frozen-Fours-showing-in-Detroit-

 

[amherstblackbear]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

Well StL was also where people couldn't give tickets away and even the championship game had serious attendance issues.

It couldn't have been worse than Columbus.

Forget taking a loss - I took nothing. After quickly realizing the futility of the situation, I yelled "free to good home" and left my extras sitting on a bench just outside the entrance to the venue.

on topic: no to stadiums; yes to Pittsburgh

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

Yep, I fully expect another Stadium Frozen Four to happen again, and most likely within another 10 years. Too much money making potential for it not to happen.

And I would save my money and stay home again, if that were to happen.

Why is it awesome to draw 37k when WI and MI have each had outdoor games that drew much more for a REGULAR SEASON game?

It's not awesome at all to draw 37K when the NCAA was selling ticket packages for $40.

I never want to see this happen again. This was a test run from the eventual NCAA plan to do this on a regular basis: make no mistake. They want to maximize every cent they can from this. They don't care about the fans or the experience. They just want as much money as possible.

One of the few times I completely agree with everything you said.


On Pittsburgh, I'd like them to give it a shot. I wouldn't mind going to Pittsburgh for a frozen 4.

 

[Zuck_Em_Bucky]

Re: 2013, '14, '15 Frozen Four Sites

If you thought there were issues for the Frozen Four, just wait for STL's regionals next year ... better hope UNO gets there - that's gotta be the closest team right?

I'm guessing Green Bay would be the preferred spot for Wisconsin and/or Minnesota.

The Regionals have little to do with location and a lot to do with ticket price. Sell more tickets at lower price or fewer tickets at $80 per? I'm gonna guess you'd get more butts in the seats at $10 per. Look at Ft. Wayne this year - you can get a darn good ticket to the minor league team for $20 from what I've read but the NCAA was charging much more than that for Regionals. Guess what happened? Pretty low attendance.

I would love to see Pittsburgh get it. I'm curious how Tampa's gonna go in '12 though. KC is a pretty fun town and would love to taste LaMar's donuts again. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. And as a native St. Louisan I'm sorry to hear it wasn't a top rate event - they go all out for basketball & wrestling national champs have been there and loved it.

***Edit****
And let's be honest - if a school is getting a block of tickets who do you think they're going to sell them to? Students who would make it rowdy & fun or donors that will likely give the school even more $$$? UW's website said FF tickets were open to donors at the $1,000 or above. And you'd be naive to think the best seats didn't go to higher donors. It's all about the $.