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B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Biddco said:
That 0-2 performance was pretty funny. Especially because Dirty made the trip.
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It was sad. Didn't get to see either game, but the team sounded awful on the radio. Fortunately, they responded with a great second half and won the MacNaughton that year, which I hold as just slightly more prestigious than the GLI :p:D:D
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
It was sad. Didn't get to see either game, but the team sounded awful on the radio. Fortunately, they responded with a great second half and won the MacNaughton that year, which I hold as just slightly more prestigious than the GLI :p:D:D
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Eh, both of the tropies are ours.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

streaker said:
That didn't count the CHS at Minn and at Wis for two decades, either, which would certainly qualify. I didn't see anyone argueing the difference between playing a tourney in a neutral ice setting or a series in a hostile rink. The comment (or criticism) was, Michigan didn't travel for NC games. We're calling BS.

For instance, this season, they go to MSG for a game hosted by Cornell. It can safely be debated that fans from both schools could equally fill the arena, but Cornell is hosting and has the proximity to their advantage. That said, it is still a "travel" game for Michigan, much more so than going down the road 40 miles to JLA and playing in the GLI where they "co-host" that tournament.
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When people complain about Michigan not traveling for non-conference games, they are specifically referring to Michigan's refusal to go into another team's rink for a weekend series. Sure Michigan travels for non-con tournament games. Pretty much everyone travels for non-con tournament games.

And sure they've had the CHS. But saying that you'll agree to play in Wisconsin and Minnesota every other year, and only in Wisconsin and Minnesota every other year, doesn't exactly develop a reputation for a willingness to schedule non-conference games on the road.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

SJHovey said:
When people complain about Michigan not traveling for non-conference games, they are specifically referring to Michigan's refusal to go into another team's rink for a weekend series. Sure Michigan travels for non-con tournament games. Pretty much everyone travels for non-con tournament games.

And sure they've had the CHS. But saying that you'll agree to play in Wisconsin and Minnesota every other year, and only in Wisconsin and Minnesota every other year, doesn't exactly develop a reputation for a willingness to schedule non-conference games on the road.
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Bingo. That's like if Michigan fans point to NCAA regionals and Frozen Fours as "traveling."
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

SJHovey said:
When people complain about Michigan not traveling for non-conference games, they are specifically referring to Michigan's refusal to go into another team's rink for a weekend series. Sure Michigan travels for non-con tournament games. Pretty much everyone travels for non-con tournament games.

And sure they've had the CHS. But saying that you'll agree to play in Wisconsin and Minnesota every other year, and only in Wisconsin and Minnesota every other year, doesn't exactly develop a reputation for a willingness to schedule non-conference games on the road.
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Exactly. Now, I don't necessarily blame Michigan for not wanting to travel to play away series, as it may not be advantageous for a variety of reasons, but I think we all kind of chuckled at the thought of Michigan being willing to schedule a 2 for 2 contract with North Dakota (as was suggested).

Here are just a few interesting facts about Michigan's scheduling of road series against former conference members:

Last Road Series at:
Colorado College - January 1981 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 18-26-2 at CC)
Denver - February 1980 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 11-28-0 at DU)
Michigan Tech - November 1983 (while both were members of the CCHA) (Michigan is 29-51-2 at Tech)
Minnesota Duluth - February 1981 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 10-11-1 at Duluth)
North Dakota - February 1980 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 9-25-2 at UND)

Teams Michigan has played, but has never played a road non-conference series against (only current D-1 teams):
Air Force
Alabama Huntsville
Alaska-Anchorage
Bemidji State
Bentley
Boston College
Boston University
Brown
Clarkson
Colgate
Connecticut
Cornell
Dartmouth
Harvard
Maine
Massachusetts Lowell
Mercyhurst
Merrimack
Niagara
Northeastern
Princeton
Providence
Quinnipiac
SCSU
Union
Yale

Last time Michigan played a road non-conference series against (not including current CCHA members):
Colorado College - February 1951
Denver - February 1951
Michigan Tech - February 1959
Minnesota - December 1986
Minnesota Duluth - January 1964
New Hampshire - November 1984
North Dakota - December 1949
Rensselaer - January 1985
St. Lawrence - November 1959
Wisconsin - November 1968

So, it appears that the last time Michigan played a road non-conference series was December of 1986. I'm not going to hold my breath until they schedule another.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
Exactly. Now, I don't necessarily blame Michigan for not wanting to travel to play away series, as it may not be advantageous for a variety of reasons, but I think we all kind of chuckled at the thought of Michigan being willing to schedule a 2 for 2 contract with North Dakota (as was suggested).

Here are just a few interesting facts about Michigan's scheduling of road series against former conference members:

Last Road Series at:
Colorado College - January 1981 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 18-26-2 at CC)
Denver - February 1980 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 11-28-0 at DU)
Michigan Tech - November 1983 (while both were members of the CCHA) (Michigan is 29-51-2 at Tech)
Minnesota Duluth - February 1981 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 10-11-1 at Duluth)
North Dakota - February 1980 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 9-25-2 at UND)

Teams Michigan has played, but has never played a road non-conference series against (only current D-1 teams):
Air Force
Alabama Huntsville
Alaska-Anchorage
Bemidji State
Bentley
Boston College
Boston University
Brown
Clarkson
Colgate
Connecticut
Cornell
Dartmouth
Harvard
Maine
Massachusetts Lowell
Mercyhurst
Merrimack
Niagara
Northeastern
Princeton
Providence
Quinnipiac
SCSU
Union
Yale

Last time Michigan played a road non-conference series against (not including current CCHA members):
Colorado College - February 1951
Denver - February 1951
Michigan Tech - February 1959
Minnesota - December 1986
Minnesota Duluth - January 1964
New Hampshire - November 1984
North Dakota - December 1949
Rensselaer - January 1985
St. Lawrence - November 1959
Wisconsin - November 1968

So, it appears that the last time Michigan played a road non-conference series was December of 1986. I'm not going to hold my breath until they schedule another.
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great collection of data. does put it in perpective.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
Exactly. Now, I don't necessarily blame Michigan for not wanting to travel to play away series, as it may not be advantageous for a variety of reasons, but I think we all kind of chuckled at the thought of Michigan being willing to schedule a 2 for 2 contract with North Dakota (as was suggested).

Here are just a few interesting facts about Michigan's scheduling of road series against former conference members:

Last Road Series at:
Colorado College - January 1981 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 18-26-2 at CC)
Denver - February 1980 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 11-28-0 at DU)
Michigan Tech - November 1983 (while both were members of the CCHA) (Michigan is 29-51-2 at Tech)
Minnesota Duluth - February 1981 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 10-11-1 at Duluth)
North Dakota - February 1980 (while a member of the WCHA) (Michigan is 9-25-2 at UND)

Teams Michigan has played, but has never played a road non-conference series against (only current D-1 teams):
Air Force
Alabama Huntsville
Alaska-Anchorage
Bemidji State
Bentley
Boston College
Boston University
Brown
Clarkson
Colgate
Connecticut
Cornell
Dartmouth
Harvard
Maine
Massachusetts Lowell
Mercyhurst
Merrimack
Niagara
Northeastern
Princeton
Providence
Quinnipiac
SCSU
Union
Yale

Last time Michigan played a road non-conference series against (not including current CCHA members):
Colorado College - February 1951
Denver - February 1951
Michigan Tech - February 1959
Minnesota - December 1986
Minnesota Duluth - January 1964
New Hampshire - November 1984
North Dakota - December 1949
Rensselaer - January 1985
St. Lawrence - November 1959
Wisconsin - November 1968

So, it appears that the last time Michigan played a road non-conference series was December of 1986. I'm not going to hold my breath until they schedule another.
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Michigan will be coming to Houghton for a non-conference series with Tech in I believe the 2013-14 sesaon.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

bigblue_dl said:
Michigan will be coming to Houghton for a non-conference series with Tech in I believe the 2013-14 sesaon.
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Hopefully that signals a dramatic change in the attitude of the program in regards to scheduling non-conference road series. Either way, enjoy it, as it will mark the first time in 20 years that Michigan has traveled to Houghton for a road series (and the first time in over a half-century for a non-conference series). Of course, as Hovey already pointed out, the biggest reason for that trip is likely due to the relationship between Mel and Red.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
Hopefully that signals a dramatic change in the attitude of the program in regards to scheduling non-conference road series. Either way, enjoy it, as it will mark the first time in 20 years that Michigan has traveled to Houghton for a road series (and the first time in over a half-century for a non-conference series). Of course, as Hovey already pointed out, the biggest reason for that trip is likely due to the relationship between Mel and Red.
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Regardless of how it happened, it should be a good thing. I would be very surprised if it wasn't a sell-out or close to it, which will be nice since at that point there won't be any other "name" schools coming to Houghton.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

bigblue_dl said:
Regardless of how it happened, it should be a good thing. I would be very surprised if it wasn't a sell-out or close to it, which will be nice since at that point there won't be any other "name" schools coming to Houghton.
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I certainly hope that North Dakota and Michigan Tech can continue to play each other, but I have my doubts. It would at least be nice to do a 4 game contract over 4 years, and maybe include Northern (i.e. Tech would come to the Ralph in Year 1, UND would travel out and do 1 game each against Tech and Northern in Year 2, Northern would come out to the Ralph in Year 3, and then UND would travel out and do 1 game each against Tech and Northern in Year 4 - this could also be done in the reverse (i.e. UND goes out to Tech Year 1, Tech/Northern come out to UND Year 2...etc.)).

Ultimately, I hope the Coaches and ADs sit down and get creative to come up with ways to save these rivalries and still make it a win-win for each side involved.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

bigblue_dl said:
Regardless of how it happened, it should be a good thing. I would be very surprised if it wasn't a sell-out or close to it, which will be nice since at that point there won't be any other "name" schools coming to Houghton.
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Exactly. That's what I've never understood about taking the approach Michigan has.

I've had the privilege of seeing first hand how much enthusiasm a local team has when a "name" program comes to town. Fans in Mankato, Bemidji, etc..., get just that much more excited when someone like Wisconsin or UND plays the locals.

Now take a school like Michigan. Can you imagine the excitement in Mankato, St. Cloud, Bemidji, Duluth, Orono, Troy, Burlington, Potsdam, etc..., if the locals were playing Michigan at home. It only creates more enthusiasm for the game of college hockey, and only enhances the aura of the "name" program.

I'm sympathetic to schools who need to schedule as many home dates as possible because of heavy reliance on hockey dollars for their athletic program, but you can't tell me Michigan goes busto if during those years the CHS was played at home they found it possible to schedule a weekend away at one of the schools listed by FS23.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

SJHovey said:
Exactly. That's what I've never understood about taking the approach Michigan has.

I've had the privilege of seeing first hand how much enthusiasm a local team has when a "name" program comes to town. Fans in Mankato, Bemidji, etc..., get just that much more excited when someone like Wisconsin or UND plays the locals.

Now take a school like Michigan. Can you imagine the excitement in Mankato, St. Cloud, Bemidji, Duluth, Orono, Troy, Burlington, Potsdam, etc..., if the locals were playing Michigan at home. It only creates more enthusiasm for the game of college hockey, and only enhances the aura of the "name" program.

I'm sympathetic to schools who need to schedule as many home dates as possible because of heavy reliance on hockey dollars for their athletic program, but you can't tell me Michigan goes busto if during those years the CHS was played at home they found it possible to schedule a weekend away at one of the schools listed by FS23.
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Isn't that basically what's been happening for years when Michigan goes to play at Bowling Green/Western Michigan/Ferris State/Northern Michigan/Lake State? If you go someplace like Bemidji or Potsdam, you lose all of the benefits in-state games bring (more passion because people are probably already either Michigan football fans or hate Michigan football, possibly have some students that didn't get into Michigan/resent it because it's the big state school, more likely to have Michigan fans in the area, Michigan fans are more likely to make the trip, you're more likely to convert kids to being Michigan fans, etc.). Both schools would be giving up thousands of dollars in lost revenue by playing in a smaller venue with cheaper ticket prices. The smaller school would lost out on a chance to get some exposure in southeast Michigan. The players would potentially miss out on a chance to be seen by NHL scouts (I imagine they show up to games at Yost more often than they do in Bemidji or Potsdam). And all you'd gain by having Michigan travel is a few thousand people in a rural area getting to watch a team they don't get to see very often in a moderately more exciting atmosphere. I know it's not all about the money, but college hockey is closer to a business than it is to a charity.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Let's just all agree to agree that Michigan sucks.

Thank you.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

kdilks said:
I know it's not all about the money, but college hockey is closer to a business than it is to a charity.
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That probably makes up 90% of the reason they schedule more home NC game series than road series. I don't see Red having issues with suggesting scheduling against the ECAC or HEA in or near their rinks- has done it in the recent past- and played the extra outdoor game against the Badgers. My take is, if you are going to schedule a series, you want it to benefit your program, also. He gains zero recruiting traction by playing games against the W/Nacho in their rinks. I would hazard to guess, given the nature of dislike for the Michigan program, he really doesn't give a flying fig what detractors think,anyway.

Michigan doesn't need to travel, and given the competitiveness in the national tournament, or their PWR, it hasn't hurt them there, either. This may not be an even comparison, but the SEC schools in football rummy up their NC schedule (because of their conference schedule) and it doesn't seem to affect them in bowl games. Yet, the same criticism is leveled on them. It's basically an appendage measuring argument that W fans are really fond of. Same for comparing rinks, jerseys, fightsongs and the quality of skating mascots/cheerleaders.

The new conference alignment will allow for more NC games. I'm sure there will be more agreements struck than before where the program was locked into the GLI and the CHS, which only allowed for a couple additional NC games.
 
Re: B1G Hockey: The Countdown Begins

Fighting Sioux 23 said:
In the GLI:
Michigan is 15 for 42 (~36%)
North Dakota is 2 for 4 (50%)

Head to Head at the GLI, the teams have split their 2 matchups. Michigan won 6-5 in OT in 1989, while North Dakota won 5-4 in OT in 2002 (BTW, the worst North Dakota team in the last 15 years).
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Yeah, frequency skewing is an issue with your little poke. Two can play that game: FTR- Michigan is 15-13-9-5 in 42 appearances. 5/42= 12% last place finishes. UND, 1/4= 25%. So, if they are marginally better in their victories, the stats show they are also marginally worse than Michigan in defeat.

The 1988 appearance was in the final, so you can get a ribbon for participating. It started a string of nine straight championships for Michigan. The other championship was in 1967, which, according to fans who mock at Michigan's aged national championship banners, "isn't relevant anymore" since 13 of Michigan's 15 GLI championships have occurred since 1988. The tournament began in 1965. UND does hold the most "4th" participant championships, though. The team with the best percentage: The University of Toronto- 1 for 1 in the inaugural tourney.
 
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