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2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
- Thread starter Art VanDelay
- Start date
mookie1995
there's a good buck in that racket.
Ah thanks
According to the info with the tickets I received today, 5 & 8:30
mookie1995
there's a good buck in that racket.
thinking i don't have to leave early to make that first game. not too bad.
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
Hey hey hey....the tailgate is organized by GPL, not USCHO. And the only inbreds there were WI fans.
Hey hey hey....the tailgate is organized by GPL, not USCHO. And the only inbreds there were WI fans.
Nick Papagiorgio
Holding court
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
Try not to get hit by a car this time Brent.
Try not to get hit by a car this time Brent.
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
Don't know about anyone else, but I got a phone call yesterday from a guy working for a company that had been contracted by the NCAA to do a survey of long time FF attendees The questions were mostly open-ended; what do you like about it, what don't you like about it, etc. I mentioned to him my main gripes -- I liked it much better when the Thursday games weren't single admission, and how it infuriates me when prime seats reserved for corporate sponsors, NCAA bigwigs, etc. are empty at games. He said he'd heard many similar complaints, but I don't know whether that was real or whether he was just playing along with me. I also said there's not much they can do to make me come on Friday.
Don't know what to make of it. Combined with the number of opportunities I've had to buy tickets, I'm guessing that it means they're not selling out and they're getting worried.
Don't know about anyone else, but I got a phone call yesterday from a guy working for a company that had been contracted by the NCAA to do a survey of long time FF attendees The questions were mostly open-ended; what do you like about it, what don't you like about it, etc. I mentioned to him my main gripes -- I liked it much better when the Thursday games weren't single admission, and how it infuriates me when prime seats reserved for corporate sponsors, NCAA bigwigs, etc. are empty at games. He said he'd heard many similar complaints, but I don't know whether that was real or whether he was just playing along with me. I also said there's not much they can do to make me come on Friday.
Don't know what to make of it. Combined with the number of opportunities I've had to buy tickets, I'm guessing that it means they're not selling out and they're getting worried.
mookie1995
there's a good buck in that racket.
That turned into an interesting 45mins!!
Nick Papagiorgio
Holding court
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
The prices have really skyrocketed. That's got to be a factor. The increase has far exceeded any measure of normal inflation you could possibly find. That prices out families. That prices out a lot of casual observers as well.
I think one thing no one has been mentioning is that the previous half-decade has seen a number of DIII-caliber scrub schools making the Frozen Four. Congrats they earned it (and shame on the big programs for choking), but when we've had Bemidji, RIT, Umass Lowell, Union, Ferris State, Quinnipiac, and SCSU all in the last 5 years. That's 7 of 20 slots. If you're looking at an event that needs to pull in some casual hockey fans from the host city for walk-up ticket sales, this certainly doesn't help. Ooooh ooohh oooooh but these little guys making it to the FF helps the sport!!!! Questionable FF crowds and horrendous regional crowds in the 16-team format might make one rethink that position. I can only imagine some of the tv ratings for some of these games. Last year's FF had a terrible crowd and must have had absurdly low ratings. Grows the sport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK.
ps - I'm sorry if you're a fan of a DIII-caliber scrub school that I mentioned above (or perhaps one I didn't mention above).
The prices have really skyrocketed. That's got to be a factor. The increase has far exceeded any measure of normal inflation you could possibly find. That prices out families. That prices out a lot of casual observers as well.
I think one thing no one has been mentioning is that the previous half-decade has seen a number of DIII-caliber scrub schools making the Frozen Four. Congrats they earned it (and shame on the big programs for choking), but when we've had Bemidji, RIT, Umass Lowell, Union, Ferris State, Quinnipiac, and SCSU all in the last 5 years. That's 7 of 20 slots. If you're looking at an event that needs to pull in some casual hockey fans from the host city for walk-up ticket sales, this certainly doesn't help. Ooooh ooohh oooooh but these little guys making it to the FF helps the sport!!!! Questionable FF crowds and horrendous regional crowds in the 16-team format might make one rethink that position. I can only imagine some of the tv ratings for some of these games. Last year's FF had a terrible crowd and must have had absurdly low ratings. Grows the sport!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OK.
ps - I'm sorry if you're a fan of a DIII-caliber scrub school that I mentioned above (or perhaps one I didn't mention above).
Tipsy McStagger
Falling on fans at NHC since 2001
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
Judging by your post you would rather just do away with the regionals and invite the 4 best BCS schools to the Frozen Four. Must have been nice for the "traditional powers" to rack up a bunch of National Championships back when it was a 4, 5 or 6 team tournament. Now that they aren't winning as often, better change the tournament to give them an even bigger advantage. Give me a break.
Uhh, tough crap for the host city and ESPN?
Judging by your post you would rather just do away with the regionals and invite the 4 best BCS schools to the Frozen Four. Must have been nice for the "traditional powers" to rack up a bunch of National Championships back when it was a 4, 5 or 6 team tournament. Now that they aren't winning as often, better change the tournament to give them an even bigger advantage. Give me a break.
claver2010
*****
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
Agreed.
If there is a team that has been hurt by the 16 team format, it's certainly BC
Agreed.
If there is a team that has been hurt by the 16 team format, it's certainly BC
Tipsy McStagger
Falling on fans at NHC since 2001
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
I don't totally disagree with changing it to an 8-team tournament, but when the reason given is that too many small schools are making the Frozen Four, that doesn't fly.
Obviously not (notice I said "they"), which makes it even more confusing that a BC fan is in favor of modifying the current format.
I don't totally disagree with changing it to an 8-team tournament, but when the reason given is that too many small schools are making the Frozen Four, that doesn't fly.
Last edited:
Kdaddy1968
New member
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
I am in favor of keeping it at 16. If the top 8 are that good they will continue to be in the FF. Otherwise they are just over rated. Let them play it out and see who is really up for the task not just the talk.
I am in favor of keeping it at 16. If the top 8 are that good they will continue to be in the FF. Otherwise they are just over rated. Let them play it out and see who is really up for the task not just the talk.
Biddco
Follow me on Twitter: @Biddco
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
BC fans always pack the place too. HUGE draw
BC fans always pack the place too. HUGE draw
mookie1995
there's a good buck in that racket.
Assuming they have money on the game!!
Nick Papagiorgio
Holding court
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
No, I think you're misinterpreting a little of what I'm saying.
1. The prices are too high to generate additional walk-up sales from casual fans with even an average FF field and even more difficult with a "bad" field. Because of the reasons below, I think walk-up crowds are going to be heavily relied upon in the future to sell places out as a general rule.
b) The regionals are also priced too high and the atmospheres are disgustingly pathetic except for a few regionals here and there (Minny/ND in Xcel, UNH in Manch, BC and/or BU in Worcester/Manch, Maine/Cornell anywhere in the East). The 6 team regionals were freakin disgustingly good. At least out East they were. I used to buy tix for them no matter what. Whatever the case may be, the 4 teams in 4 sites under the current pricing model is generally not working out well. Agree?
iii. going back to the original point, high prices and "bad" FF fields have loosened demand considerably. Many long-timers have dropped going to the event due to price. The brokers are not going into the lottery like they used to with higher prices and risk of having no chance to get money back on those tickets with a bum set of teams. 2003, 2005, 2013 all were terrible markets to try to get rid of tickets. It's definitely risky.
Four, empty arenas on tv with low profile programs playing in the FF doesn't help grow the sport nationally like most people claim or claimed it would.
No, I think you're misinterpreting a little of what I'm saying.
1. The prices are too high to generate additional walk-up sales from casual fans with even an average FF field and even more difficult with a "bad" field. Because of the reasons below, I think walk-up crowds are going to be heavily relied upon in the future to sell places out as a general rule.
b) The regionals are also priced too high and the atmospheres are disgustingly pathetic except for a few regionals here and there (Minny/ND in Xcel, UNH in Manch, BC and/or BU in Worcester/Manch, Maine/Cornell anywhere in the East). The 6 team regionals were freakin disgustingly good. At least out East they were. I used to buy tix for them no matter what. Whatever the case may be, the 4 teams in 4 sites under the current pricing model is generally not working out well. Agree?
iii. going back to the original point, high prices and "bad" FF fields have loosened demand considerably. Many long-timers have dropped going to the event due to price. The brokers are not going into the lottery like they used to with higher prices and risk of having no chance to get money back on those tickets with a bum set of teams. 2003, 2005, 2013 all were terrible markets to try to get rid of tickets. It's definitely risky.
Four, empty arenas on tv with low profile programs playing in the FF doesn't help grow the sport nationally like most people claim or claimed it would.
Tipsy McStagger
Falling on fans at NHC since 2001
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
As far as low profile programs in the FF, do you think Bemidji, RIT, Union, Ferris State and Quinnipiac have seen increases in attendance since they made the Frozen Four? Because I would bet that they have. Knowing your team has a chance to win the National Championship is going to get people interested in said program.
So the solution may be lowering ticket prices.
Yes, I agree they should lower the ticket prices.
Seems to be a theme here.
I really want to know who made these claims about the empty arenas.
As far as low profile programs in the FF, do you think Bemidji, RIT, Union, Ferris State and Quinnipiac have seen increases in attendance since they made the Frozen Four? Because I would bet that they have. Knowing your team has a chance to win the National Championship is going to get people interested in said program.
jmh
win or lose, we booze
Re: 2014 Frozen Four Info Thread
Speaking of b*tches, is it about the time of year where you make excuses for why you're not going to be at the Frozen Four?