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Atlantic Hockey Summer News

Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

Yeah, there is a major landscape change coming. I guess there's no point in getting too worked up about the AHA, since we're only talking about 2-3 more years at best.

Depending on what the WCHA looks like without Minny and Wisco, I could see AF there. Already big rivalries with CC and DU, less so with Bemidji; Omaha is much closer that Boston; we recruit Minnesota kids heavily so it wouldn't hurt to play a couple of games in Mankato, St. Cloud or Duluth. We might even finish ahead of Tech or Anchorage in the standings!
 
Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

le said:
I wonder why the other western pod schools failed to object to this unfair arrangement ? So in essence, the western teams beat the **** out of each other during the season, then get screwed again in the playoffs. First, the weaker eastern teams fail to buck up for scholarships and on campus venues but they expect preferential treatment in the AHA Tourney ? Unbelievable…….

LE - Niagara
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It's 3 games. A swing of six points, maximum. More often than not, that will only mean a difference compared to expected finish of one or two places in the standings.

It's not like we're talking about an AHL style insularity where they don't even bother to attempt even a partial round-robin. If a team wants to win AHA, they are going to have to play everyone, from the Big Cats to the Fuzzy Bumblebees, and they are going to have to beat most of them.

And what's more, if this turns out to be one of those years where at least one team has a chance at an at-large bid (at least 3 teams in the "West" have a halfway decent chance at going .500 in non-con play), having 3 fewer games against the "bottom feeders" will only help your chances.

(I've got no particular love for the tournament format, just so you don't think I'm ignoring that part. I think it's a useless kludge that won't accomplish either its upfront or its hidden goals. But it is what it is.)
 
Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

kingdobbs said:
It's 3 games. A swing of six points, maximum. More often than not, that will only mean a difference compared to expected finish of one or two places in the standings.
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The regular season does not appear to be of much concern because of this fact. The Western schools play all 6 Eastern schools twice for 12 games and the other 5 western schools 3 times each for 15 games. There are a lot of unbalanced schedules in sports and this one is not all that bad.
 
Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I think if I had to choose from having to play RIT, Air Force, Mercyhurst, Canisius, Niagara, and Robert Morris vrs Sacred Heart, Holy Cross, UConn, AIC, Bentley, and Army I would pick the 2nd group. Not saying that will always be the case.

I think the biggest hangup is that the league seems to want divisions without creating divisions. If you split the standings and say top 2 teams in the division get a bye, you can easily discern where you need to be. By combining the standings, you could create confusion for Joe Fan out there. Using the coach's poll - he would be surprised that the 3rd place team has to play in the 1st round while the 7th place team would get a bye.
 
Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

AFHockeyFan said:
Let me know if you get a response.

Between the inequitable scheduling format, and completely biased tournament format, I think we're already edging towards the day when the six western teams will spin off a new conference with a strong geographic base in western New York and maybe even a few more scholarships. If the BTHC is going to have an autobid with six teams, there's no reason for the 12 AHA schools to fight it out for one. You can have two conferences, one that will provide homes for schools that want to be comptetitive and and one for those that want to contain costs.
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Exactly. If things are as bad as you say, in the minds of the western ADs, then things will change. Since someone brought up the President, maybe it will be change you can believe in.:cool:
 
Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

CornwallAce said:
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Final comment about playoffs alignment - If you seriously don't like it, I do hope you(a generic you) have sent the AHA office a message letting them know your displeasure. We have no power on here, and many of us just are not concerned. When you throw in the human element, many things can happen. At least it is no where near as bad of an injustice as the lack of playoffs in the top level of NCAA football.
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Well I know summer is over so I'm not meaning to resurrect this thread, just responding to the suggestion above. FYI, I sent off my letter to DeGregorio earlier this week. Yes, I am looking for change I can believe in this time. :D

Also, note that USCHO and INCH just came out with their preseason predictions - both have all West pod teams predicted for the top six this season.
 
Re: Atlantic Hockey Summer News

I can see Niagra having a strong season. Extending coaches contract and some key returning players might just push the envelope!!

Should be fun!
 
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