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B1G Championship in Detroit

Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

The problem with the B1G is the number 6.

How do you have on campus playoffs with just 6 teams?

Last year's Thursday games appeared to be lightly attended, too. And to judge this year's attendance when it's not even happened- not sure how you do that. Granted, I don't expect as many fans as MN would, but at least lets let the weekend happen.

The current JLA isn't a great building, but it does have some history in it, at least. By the time the current format ends, there will be a new Joe Louis.

We are in year 2 of what we hope is a very long standing conference. Lets see where this goes. If you ask me, I'd ***** far, far, far, far more about the play on the ice for the entire conference over where the championship is going to be played. We sucked, certainly, but it's pretty funny to see MN fans pump their chest when 1) they had to rely on us losing on 2) the last game of the season- before they could claim the championship. Face it, people, we ALL sucked this year. This is a conference with 1/3 of ALL NCAA championships and probably will get ONE team in the NCAA. One. That sucks.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

Where to have the tournament is a tough question. I'm not at all convinced that St Paul guarantees better attendance. I was at last year's tournament, and attended most of the WCHA tournaments over the last 13 years. The WCHA tournament attendance was really boosted by North Dakota (whose fans travel extremely well), St Cloud, Duluth, and even Mankato. Frankly, once MN loses, or when they are not playing, the attendance was noticeably weaker. It was really easy to spot in years when both Denver and CC made the final 5, and the Gophers were not playing/lost (despite the ridiculous Red Baron announcements every year of a "new" attendance record).

Love the Excel as a venue; but, it's a long way to travel for 4 of the schools, so I just don't think it's ever going to draw like the WCHA did unless the B1G does expand westward (Nebraska, Iowa). As far as Detroit, I think it will be interesting to see how many PSU fans travel there this year. That could actually prove a better atmosphere if PSU can bring a decent contingent of fans.

Personally, I'd like to see Chicago tried for a couple of years - slightly more centrally located, a more touristy destination for those who want to lock in a trip/have to travel further. I know it's tough to get the casual fan with everyone focused on the basketball tournament; but, it is more centrally located and there are a lot of alumni there. Assume the Chicago venues have sports bars in them - maybe show the ball tournament on some of those TV's in the stadium as well as the hockey as cross-sell as a viewing party/combo to draw some people in.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

LordofBrewtown said:
a more touristy destination for those who want to lock in a trip/have to travel further.
Click to expand...

This is what I always bugged the CCHA to do. Be it St. Paul, Detroit, or even Chicago, Pittsburg, or Columbus- the B1G could work with each city's tourism group to make it something to do every year. Numerically, this 5 game championship is bigger than the Frozen Four- so there *could* be a better draw for people to come to any city than the FF is.

Considering how many fans go to the FF every year, regardless, the B1G could take that very easy model and run with it. Especially since the fan base potential for each school already knows how to travel, AND the alumni base means that we all have fans all over the country.

As someone posted- just starting with host hotels + maybe a reception would go a long way. And as much as we all complain about the host city, they all have something to offer to see- a little planning on the host city would even go a long way- like if the Campus Martius rink was open (I think it closed last week). If the host city knew what they were hosting- it would matter.

But... thanks to the BTN, I don't think fans in the seats are that important to the B1G.

Anyway...
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

alfablue said:
This is what I always bugged the CCHA to do. Be it St. Paul, Detroit, or even Chicago, Pittsburg, or Columbus- the B1G could work with each city's tourism group to make it something to do every year.
Click to expand...
I can't speculate how well people would travel to Columbus, but if they held it downtown at Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets home ice then the facility and surrounding amenities of restaurants, bars, and hotels all right by the arena would satisfy any hockey fan attending.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

alfablue said:
The problem with the B1G is the number 6.

How do you have on campus playoffs with just 6 teams?

Last year's Thursday games appeared to be lightly attended, too. And to judge this year's attendance when it's not even happened- not sure how you do that. Granted, I don't expect as many fans as MN would, but at least lets let the weekend happen.

The current JLA isn't a great building, but it does have some history in it, at least. By the time the current format ends, there will be a new Joe Louis.

We are in year 2 of what we hope is a very long standing conference. Lets see where this goes. If you ask me, I'd ***** far, far, far, far more about the play on the ice for the entire conference over where the championship is going to be played. We sucked, certainly, but it's pretty funny to see MN fans pump their chest when 1) they had to rely on us losing on 2) the last game of the season- before they could claim the championship. Face it, people, we ALL sucked this year. This is a conference with 1/3 of ALL NCAA championships and probably will get ONE team in the NCAA. One. That sucks.
Click to expand...

Here is how you fix it:

Add more teams. I really don't buy that other B1G schools are going to add Hockey anytime soon. From what I understand, the conference has already opened the door for affiliate members by adding Johnny Hopkins (who I once smoked pot with) in lacrosse.

Add Miami and North Dakota. Bam. Problems solved.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

LordofBrewtown said:
Where to have the tournament is a tough question. I'm not at all convinced that St Paul guarantees better attendance. I was at last year's tournament, and attended most of the WCHA tournaments over the last 13 years. The WCHA tournament attendance was really boosted by North Dakota (whose fans travel extremely well), St Cloud, Duluth, and even Mankato. Frankly, once MN loses, or when they are not playing, the attendance was noticeably weaker. It was really easy to spot in years when both Denver and CC made the final 5, and the Gophers were not playing/lost (despite the ridiculous Red Baron announcements every year of a "new" attendance record).

Love the Excel as a venue; but, it's a long way to travel for 4 of the schools, so I just don't think it's ever going to draw like the WCHA did unless the B1G does expand westward (Nebraska, Iowa). As far as Detroit, I think it will be interesting to see how many PSU fans travel there this year. That could actually prove a better atmosphere if PSU can bring a decent contingent of fans.

Personally, I'd like to see Chicago tried for a couple of years - slightly more centrally located, a more touristy destination for those who want to lock in a trip/have to travel further. I know it's tough to get the casual fan with everyone focused on the basketball tournament; but, it is more centrally located and there are a lot of alumni there. Assume the Chicago venues have sports bars in them - maybe show the ball tournament on some of those TV's in the stadium as well as the hockey as cross-sell as a viewing party/combo to draw some people in.
Click to expand...
UND fans didn't necessarily travel. Two areas that UND alumni flock to are Denver and The Twin Cities. They are basically the two closest major metro areas nearest to Grand Forks.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

Hockeybuckeye said:
I can't speculate how well people would travel to Columbus, but if they held it downtown at Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets home ice then the facility and surrounding amenities of restaurants, bars, and hotels all right by the arena would satisfy any hockey fan attending.
Click to expand...

Totally agree- we had a great time at our hotel near Nationwide back when the FF was in Columbus. Not sure why there hasn't been a bid since then.

MGoBlueHockey said:
Here is how you fix it:

Add more teams. I really don't buy that other B1G schools are going to add Hockey anytime soon. From what I understand, the conference has already opened the door for affiliate members by adding Johnny Hopkins (who I once smoked pot with) in lacrosse.

Add Miami and North Dakota. Bam. Problems solved.
Click to expand...

You make it sound so easy. Right now, the only team that even close to makes sense from their side is ASU. I just don't see Miami nor North Dakota changing- they were both pretty mad about the whole B1G thing.

Until other B1G teams join, we just have to deal with what we have.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

I can't see North Dakota joining or any NCHC team joining the Big Ten. Only school I could see join would be Arizona State.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

I don't see the B1G ever adding non Big Ten schools just for hockey. They seem fussy that way, as they should be.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

I'll be there Friday. Plan on going to the early game, too. Though if MSU basketball ends up playing during that time I may be spending a lot of time on the concourse. For the best interest of attendance in this tournament MSU basketball needs to be placed in an early timeslot. Get primetime for Fri/Sun and you're going to have less attendane for a probable MSU/UM matchup, have primetime Thurs/Sat and now a potential championship game has less Spartan attendance. I'll be going Saturday regardless of basketball if things pan out correctly on Friday, but I know many folks would rather sit home and watch Izzo.
 
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Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

Greyeagle said:
I don't see the B1G ever adding non Big Ten schools just for hockey. They seem fussy that way, as they should be.
Click to expand...

Shhh... don't bring facts into it. :)



I've pretty much given up beeching about the new conferences. They're here now, and we all have to move on. Doesn't mean I like it, but I'm not going to waste my time on it. I, personally, am not heading to Detroit this year, but it's more because of circumstance than the location.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

Brenthoven said:
UND fans didn't necessarily travel. Two areas that UND alumni flock to are Denver and The Twin Cities. They are basically the two closest major metro areas nearest to Grand Forks.
Click to expand...
When people write that fans of a certain team "travel well" I don't think most readers assume the author was suggesting that a bunch of guys named Vinnie from the Bronx hopped a plane to Minneapolis or KC to see their baseball team play. When people make that observation, what I think is implied is, a) there is a strong fan base with that team, b) they are passionate enough about their team that when the opportunity arises to support them in person, they take it, whether it means traveling or simply going out to a game when "your team" comes to town, and c) that comparatively speaking fans of that team come out in stronger force than the average opponent.

People can say what they want about North Dakota or the lack of anything else to do, or the need to flee to Denver or Minneapolis, but UND hockey fans support their team, and do so in larger numbers than the vast majority of other college hockey programs, certainly on a "per capita" basis.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

MSU basketball gets a Friday game. If that ends up being primetime that will put a hit to MSU attendance.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

Michigan better not take Becky lightly. We all know eaves will unleash his 0-0-5 forecheck and get great goaltending. You've been warned
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

Slap Shot said:
There are tons of UND fans living in the TC which requires no travel.
Click to expand...
Yup. I always chuckle when people say they "travel well" when I bet most of those fans didn't travel very far. Many Minnesota and Twin City kids go to UND and end up back where they grew up (the cities or somewhere else in MN).




On a side note I recall some folks saying that eventually the Big Ten tourney would hosted at whatever site did better. I doubt that because the Michigan and eastern schools in the conference are going to want to play close to home at least some of the years.
 
Re: B1G Championship in Detroit

Spartanforlife4 said:
MSU basketball gets a Friday game. If that ends up being primetime that will put a hit to MSU attendance.
Click to expand...

Attendance is saved the Spartans play at 12:40 Friday afternoon. Plenty of time for the Spartan Fans to get to the Joe after the hoops game.
 
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