There's no reason to play 38 games. Actually it would be pretty foolish from the perspective of scheduling and injuries.
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2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
- Thread starter gfmorris
- Start date
There's no reason to play 38 games. Actually it would be pretty foolish from the perspective of scheduling and injuries.
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
But now, with this change, I wouldn't be surprised if team shy away from playing 36, unless they can get 1 for 1s
But now, with this change, I wouldn't be surprised if team shy away from playing 36, unless they can get 1 for 1s
ticapnews
Never graduate.
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
This will work out great for the league until one of the Alaska teams ends up the top seed.
This will work out great for the league until one of the Alaska teams ends up the top seed.
Squarebanks
New member
This will work out great for the league until one of the Alaska teams ends up the top seed.
WCHA has been lucky so far. 2014, UAF hosted and wound up playing UAA, so minimal travel. 2015, UAF finished fourth but had the postseason ban. 2016, UAF was not very good.
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
If an Alaska school ever hosts (1 or multiple rounds), it won't be horrible, because that place should be packed collecting $$$, and only 1 team has to travel to Alaska, not 3+
I mean, how is it really any worse than the following:
UAF to BGSU, UAA to MSU, UAH to MTU?
If an Alaska school ever hosts (1 or multiple rounds), it won't be horrible, because that place should be packed collecting $$$, and only 1 team has to travel to Alaska, not 3+
I mean, how is it really any worse than the following:
UAF to BGSU, UAA to MSU, UAH to MTU?
Squarebanks
New member
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
I like this playoff move by the WCHA. It's not perfect, but there were no perfect solutions. In a geographically, ahem, diverse league made up mostly of smaller programs, doing the neutral site thing isn't realistic if you want to draw a big crowd. The new Final Five was never going to not be compared to its oWCHA heyday. Better to leave it to the history books.
I think someone brought up the availability of municipal arenas for a few schools. At least in the Nanooks' case there is the option of using the Patty Center (on campus rink, but only seats 1500 or so) should the Carlson Center be booked whenever UAF hosts. Which probably won't happen for a few years.
I like this playoff move by the WCHA. It's not perfect, but there were no perfect solutions. In a geographically, ahem, diverse league made up mostly of smaller programs, doing the neutral site thing isn't realistic if you want to draw a big crowd. The new Final Five was never going to not be compared to its oWCHA heyday. Better to leave it to the history books.
I think someone brought up the availability of municipal arenas for a few schools. At least in the Nanooks' case there is the option of using the Patty Center (on campus rink, but only seats 1500 or so) should the Carlson Center be booked whenever UAF hosts. Which probably won't happen for a few years.
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
The one nice thing with the choice is that this really doesn't add anything, etc for 1 date. Most arenas were already reserved for what will now be the first and 2nd round. So you're just asking arenas to keep the rink available 1 extra day...They can do a concert or something else on Friday/Sunday of the Championship weekend.
The one nice thing with the choice is that this really doesn't add anything, etc for 1 date. Most arenas were already reserved for what will now be the first and 2nd round. So you're just asking arenas to keep the rink available 1 extra day...They can do a concert or something else on Friday/Sunday of the Championship weekend.
I doubt it matters for kato either. Two additional weekends to keep open likely won't have a huge effect. In fact it will likely be used more often now than it was before.
RaceBoarder
Waiting for the Snow to fly...
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
Just a thought on ticket sales:
I assume the WCHA will set prices for all playoff games. Will there be a premium for Semi's/Final? I'm just curious how the cost of up to 4 extra games would be received... Winning is present, so that could cancel that out, but just something that popped into my head initially.
Just a thought on ticket sales:
I assume the WCHA will set prices for all playoff games. Will there be a premium for Semi's/Final? I'm just curious how the cost of up to 4 extra games would be received... Winning is present, so that could cancel that out, but just something that popped into my head initially.
Shirtless Guy
Old Dirty Basterd
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
The one comment that I did like from the WCHA conference call on this was that it makes it easier on the #1 seed fans to travel to a regional if they win it all because they haven't had to pay to travel to the conference tournament, etc.
That is a great thought to have relating to this. If you just got back from a trip to St. Paul or Grand Rapids, are you really going to want to turn around and drop money on a flight, hotel, tickets to get to a regional?
I would assume the championship would not be part of a season ticket, or would require an opt-in with limits to allow a certain amount (higher than normal) for visitors.
The one comment that I did like from the WCHA conference call on this was that it makes it easier on the #1 seed fans to travel to a regional if they win it all because they haven't had to pay to travel to the conference tournament, etc.
That is a great thought to have relating to this. If you just got back from a trip to St. Paul or Grand Rapids, are you really going to want to turn around and drop money on a flight, hotel, tickets to get to a regional?
cF[Authentic]
southpaw
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
Financially, it makes sense for the WCHA as the playoffs are usually the money-maker for the conference. In the past, they would have to send 8 teams to either other sites or the Final Five. There could have been a max of 15 games to get ticket money.
Starting next year, they'll have to send 7 teams to other sites but will also have to pay for an extra couple of nights in a hotel for round 2. This gives them a max 19 games to bring in money.
For the teams, it makes the regular season more important and also rewards the fans who can't necessarily afford to go to the Final Five.
Financially, it makes sense for the WCHA as the playoffs are usually the money-maker for the conference. In the past, they would have to send 8 teams to either other sites or the Final Five. There could have been a max of 15 games to get ticket money.
Starting next year, they'll have to send 7 teams to other sites but will also have to pay for an extra couple of nights in a hotel for round 2. This gives them a max 19 games to bring in money.
For the teams, it makes the regular season more important and also rewards the fans who can't necessarily afford to go to the Final Five.
JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
I wasn't really in favor of on-site playoffs and now I'm even less in favor of it. Three weeks for conference playoffs and you're giving fans as few as FOUR days notice to set up their road travel. This system works great for the top four seeds (assuming they keep winning) but it sucks for the road fans. Unless you are playing a team within driving distance I can't see any fans flying in for games with four days to plan. The advantage of a neutral site tourney is that you knew the days and times a year in advance. I suppose the league's counter would be "Who cares if the road fans don't show up, they didn't show up in St Paul or Grand Rapids either..."
Assuming that your top seeds are going to make the NCAA tourney without an auto-bid, if they lose in the first round they will sit idle for roughly 20 days without a game before the NCAA tourney with this format. Not great when you've likely just had a steady stream of games to get you in a rhythem and they you break it up for several weeks before the biggest games of the season. Of course if you are the higher seed you should just win and not worry, but if you do lose, you can pretty much kiss your season good-bye.
Ryan J
I wasn't really in favor of on-site playoffs and now I'm even less in favor of it. Three weeks for conference playoffs and you're giving fans as few as FOUR days notice to set up their road travel. This system works great for the top four seeds (assuming they keep winning) but it sucks for the road fans. Unless you are playing a team within driving distance I can't see any fans flying in for games with four days to plan. The advantage of a neutral site tourney is that you knew the days and times a year in advance. I suppose the league's counter would be "Who cares if the road fans don't show up, they didn't show up in St Paul or Grand Rapids either..."
Assuming that your top seeds are going to make the NCAA tourney without an auto-bid, if they lose in the first round they will sit idle for roughly 20 days without a game before the NCAA tourney with this format. Not great when you've likely just had a steady stream of games to get you in a rhythem and they you break it up for several weeks before the biggest games of the season. Of course if you are the higher seed you should just win and not worry, but if you do lose, you can pretty much kiss your season good-bye.
Ryan J
Laker Dude
Registered User
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
The move makes sense to me for financial reasons.
However, I have many of the same feelings as you. A lot of these playoff games are going to hit during spring break. Often times spring break is the first full week of March at Michigan schools, so students would be gone during the 1st and 2nd round weekends. Bemidji State would have been on spring break during the semifinal weekend and the championship game weekend this year.
Also I question whether the final game will still be carried on Fox Sports North. I doubt they want four days notice to get a crew to the location of the final game.
The move makes sense to me for financial reasons.
However, I have many of the same feelings as you. A lot of these playoff games are going to hit during spring break. Often times spring break is the first full week of March at Michigan schools, so students would be gone during the 1st and 2nd round weekends. Bemidji State would have been on spring break during the semifinal weekend and the championship game weekend this year.
Also I question whether the final game will still be carried on Fox Sports North. I doubt they want four days notice to get a crew to the location of the final game.
Wi.Huskies Fan
Registered User
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
I the new playoff format is good. Not everyone will be satisfied. The neutral site system was not working. There is just no atmosphere when you play in a building that is less than half full for a tournament. This is a 3 year deal. See how this works out and go from there.
I was at Van Andel and there was just too many empty seats. I don't think there was much interest to a local Grand Rapids hockey fan to go and check it out.
I think this may work out pretty good in the long run.
I the new playoff format is good. Not everyone will be satisfied. The neutral site system was not working. There is just no atmosphere when you play in a building that is less than half full for a tournament. This is a 3 year deal. See how this works out and go from there.
I was at Van Andel and there was just too many empty seats. I don't think there was much interest to a local Grand Rapids hockey fan to go and check it out.
I think this may work out pretty good in the long run.
MavHockey14
New member
Going to the Final Five required you to win your first round series this year. That series could go until Sunday and then you get until Friday to make your plans. At least now you're guaranteed two games if you'd want to make the trip to an on campus site, whereas wth the Final Five you're only guaranteed the one game. That may be a reason fans actually want to make the trip.
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
The playoffs always fall around Spring Break. It doesn't matter where you're playing, you're just not going to have a high student turnout.
Overall I file the plan in the positive category. It should provide needed revenue for the conference and really drives home the importance of what you do in the regular season.
- A few growing pains/concerns do come up though. First, the ticket system will need to be fair. Divvy tickets up 50/50 until a few days before then have the away team send them to the hosting school.
- There's going to be some concerns for those programs that have shared facilities. Teams like UAA and UAH are not the primary tenant for their barns, so are the pro teams going to let them blackout those dates just in case?
- The conference will still play a 28 game schedule this season, which is going to make for some serious bumps and bruises by the time the end of February rolls around. Hopefully they look at cutting the conference slate down to 24 in the coming seasons.
- There's little to no chance the Finals will be televised now. The only chance I could see happening is if a local regional sports network carried the game and a re-broadcast agreement was completed.
Overall I commend Robertson. It probably wasn't an easy decision to dump the Final Five.
The playoffs always fall around Spring Break. It doesn't matter where you're playing, you're just not going to have a high student turnout.
Overall I file the plan in the positive category. It should provide needed revenue for the conference and really drives home the importance of what you do in the regular season.
- A few growing pains/concerns do come up though. First, the ticket system will need to be fair. Divvy tickets up 50/50 until a few days before then have the away team send them to the hosting school.
- There's going to be some concerns for those programs that have shared facilities. Teams like UAA and UAH are not the primary tenant for their barns, so are the pro teams going to let them blackout those dates just in case?
- The conference will still play a 28 game schedule this season, which is going to make for some serious bumps and bruises by the time the end of February rolls around. Hopefully they look at cutting the conference slate down to 24 in the coming seasons.
- There's little to no chance the Finals will be televised now. The only chance I could see happening is if a local regional sports network carried the game and a re-broadcast agreement was completed.
Overall I commend Robertson. It probably wasn't an easy decision to dump the Final Five.
50/50 ticket allocation?? No way! If I'm hosting 300 seats to the visitors + comps. I want my fans to intimidate your team.
Otherwise why all the emphasis on home ice??
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
No long bus ride, hotel stays, and outside of Michigan Tech there isn't really a team that travels well anyways. The tickets will end up getting used by the hosting school in the end. You need to at least give it a shot at keeping it even, though, especially the Finals.
No long bus ride, hotel stays, and outside of Michigan Tech there isn't really a team that travels well anyways. The tickets will end up getting used by the hosting school in the end. You need to at least give it a shot at keeping it even, though, especially the Finals.
gfmorris
New member
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
The discussion was that teams had all re-worked their penultimate regular season weekends. I expect that changed Alaska travel pretty significantly. The schedule will come out on Thursday (I will be on console and won't be able to send it out then, but plenty of people here watch and listen).
GFM
The discussion was that teams had all re-worked their penultimate regular season weekends. I expect that changed Alaska travel pretty significantly. The schedule will come out on Thursday (I will be on console and won't be able to send it out then, but plenty of people here watch and listen).
GFM
gfmorris
New member
Re: 2016 WCHA Offseason; It's All Over, Save Ferris
Also, someone may have said this, but they are keeping 28 league games for this year but will probably drop to 26 or 24 in following seasons. You might see the championship move back to a two-game series after this if there can be a week off in the playoff run somewhere. It makes sense, because this is the last year of the four-year pod, and everyone has done the Alaska double (or will have by the end of the year). That feels right.
Also, this is only through 2018-19. The league may well yet change formats after that.
GFM
Also, someone may have said this, but they are keeping 28 league games for this year but will probably drop to 26 or 24 in following seasons. You might see the championship move back to a two-game series after this if there can be a week off in the playoff run somewhere. It makes sense, because this is the last year of the four-year pod, and everyone has done the Alaska double (or will have by the end of the year). That feels right.
Also, this is only through 2018-19. The league may well yet change formats after that.
GFM