Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

[GoDanGo]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I assume that it was meant as a joke since the ECAC is moving their tourney to AC in 2011, and there is some opposition to the move and the venue.

Yup. I suppose that didn't end up being that funny for anyone outside the ECAC, but oh well.

 

[Biddco]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I see two possible ways to circumvent the attendance concerns. Either play the games at horribly inconvenient times, or play them so that they coincide with some far more entertaining game at the nearby Calumet Colosseum, a facility far too historic and prestigious to host such events.

I hope you guys can put the game times at 3 or 4 in the morning. That will help with attendance.

I love this thread.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

LOL

I have 2 possible suggestions for regional sites:

1: St. Lawrence Centre. In the middle of a mall. Hey, there's people playing hock- OOOH, HOT TOPIC! *goes there instead* Oh wait, I don't think there even IS a hot topic there, you'd have to go all the way to Syracuse. Plus, any chance on getting a casino about 20 minutes away to open up betting on this?

2: Lake Placid. Fabulous Herb Brooks Arena standing there, but alas, the regional is played in the '32 rink.

BTW, would putting a tarp over an outdoor rink count?

1. Hahahaha. Absolutely. The ice is always atrocious, rutted up, soft, and has an arc similar to a football field; If I stand at center ice, I will slowly glide to the boards. I would be honored to attempt to get pictures of this monstrosity as it is my home rink. Also, St. Lawrence Center mall is operating on about half capacity with its store selection, and no nice stores call that mall home. Your nicest store is probably BonTon, JC Penney or Sears.

2. May I suggest Murray's skating rink in Yonkers, NY. This open aired indoor rink has old wooden bleachers on one side, offering unstable seating/standing for probably only 100-200 people. Further, because it's open air, fog is sure to play a major part in games come tourney time in the spring. The very unsafe location of Yonkers is also a very negative environment, where gunshots are heard on a regular basis.

 

[BUT09]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

If you are going to consider the rink in Yonkers, the Ice Hutch in Mt. Vernon is another good one. It's a bubble rink, with only one entrance (through a tiny revolving door). They had an issue with gas leakage last year. It's freezing, and the locker rooms are tiny and winding, so you can't see your entire team.

The traffic getting there is atrocious, and the parking situation is the worst, especially if you schedule a game right after a high school game or during a soccer game in the next-door-bubble. The only downside is it does seat a bunch of people.

http://www.nryh.org/images/icehutch.jpg

http://highschoolsticking.lohudblogs.com/2009/01/30/carbon-monoxide-leak-at-ice-hutch/

 

[CornwallAce]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Frear Park Ice Rink in Troy, NY

Last I played there(10+ years) it was open on one side above the bleachers with a chain link fence. They also did roller hockey at one time, and overlook a golf course(would this disqualify the rink?)


the pic says it all
http://images.townnews.com/troyreco...009/05/11/news/doc4a07be082bb7e0474164091.jpg

 

[Federal League]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

So, we're obviously getting plenty of dumps from the likes of MA, NY and MI, but I have a question for everyone:

What's better than a dump in a state that cares about hockey? A dump in a state that doesn't. We gotta get some suggestions from the likes of SC, MS, TN, LA, KS, OK, NM, etc.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

This is an image of people playing bike polo at Hockeytown. To further emphasize how it is completely unsuitable for hockey. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/3198324179_555962e682.jpg

Also, their website: http://www.hockeytownsaugus.com/

that 'rink' in above the two ice sheets. very much not to scale of a ice rink.

 

[joegrav]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

The Cleveland Circle public ice rink in Brighton, MA

 

[alslammerz]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

2. May I suggest Murray's skating rink in Yonkers, NY. This open aired indoor rink has old wooden bleachers on one side, offering unstable seating/standing for probably only 100-200 people. Further, because it's open air, fog is sure to play a major part in games come tourney time in the spring. The very unsafe location of Yonkers is also a very negative environment, where gunshots are heard on a regular basis.

If you are going to consider the rink in Yonkers, the Ice Hutch in Mt. Vernon is another good one. It's a bubble rink, with only one entrance (through a tiny revolving door). They had an issue with gas leakage last year. It's freezing, and the locker rooms are tiny and winding, so you can't see your entire team.

The traffic getting there is atrocious, and the parking situation is the worst, especially if you schedule a game right after a high school game or during a soccer game in the next-door-bubble. The only downside is it does seat a bunch of people.

http://www.nryh.org/images/icehutch.jpg

http://highschoolsticking.lohudblogs.com/2009/01/30/carbon-monoxide-leak-at-ice-hutch/

I've actually played at both.

Trying to decide which would be worse. Going to go Murray's though. The Ice Hutch has a better concession stand and a pro shop. And (at Murray's) the locker rooms are basically trailers. (And if the team bus driver gets lost and takes 95 instead of 87, you will be hopelessly late for the game).

But for New York, the worst of them all is Riverbank State Park. It's one of those partially outdoor type rinks, is always freezing cold, the stands are outdoors, sitting in the stands I've had snowballs thrown at me by locals, parking is a nightmare run by the parks department, the locker rooms are small, and it's built over a water treatment plant so it smells. 145th street in Manhattan.

 

[Yager]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I recommend the Inkster Civic Arena (near Detroit) for any regional. It is by far the worst arena that I've ever played in and I don't think you can get a worse arena that actually has organized hockey leagues.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I think I've solved the issue of where the UP Regional should be held:

The Kenner Dome.

It's unfortunately close to Houghton, only about 7 miles north on the Houghton Canal Road. But, the Futile Four committee will be happy to note that there is only one all-weather road in, and as part of our bid, the local organizing committee is already arranging a rock slide. We'll dynamite a hole in the Portage Canal ice too, just to make sure no stray snowmobilers can get across.

As for the facility itself, we think the organizers will be exceptionally pleased to note that there is no actual seating at the Kenner Dome, as the lower wall of the rink appears to be the boards themselves. Apologies for the picture taken during the summer time - Oskar Location, Michigan will undoubtedly receive the full brunt of 50 mph, -5 degree (-35 windchill) winds off the lake, and the dome itself will be well-nigh impossible to see against the snow drifts. The Kenner Dome Welcoming Committee also plans to remove the northern wall of the arena, just in case it became slightly too pleasant inside.

Catering will be provided by the guy who lives two trailers down the block, and will consist of year-old smoked carp and that one can of Bosch he's been saving since 1973. It's a special occasion, after all.

All in all, we on the Kenner Dome Welcoming Committee believe we have an exceptional bid for an exceptional tournament. Just, send Michigan Tech far away. Please. And keep them there.

 

[Dutchfan]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I second the Freer Park nomination. Calling that place a dump would be far too kind.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I think I've solved the issue of where the UP Regional should be held:

The Kenner Dome.

It's unfortunately close to Houghton, only about 7 miles north on the Houghton Canal Road. But, the Futile Four committee will be happy to note that there is only one all-weather road in, and as part of our bid, the local organizing committee is already arranging a rock slide. We'll dynamite a hole in the Portage Canal ice too, just to make sure no stray snowmobilers can get across.

As for the facility itself, we think the organizers will be exceptionally pleased to note that there is no actual seating at the Kenner Dome, as the lower wall of the rink appears to be the boards themselves. Apologies for the picture taken during the summer time - Oskar Location, Michigan will undoubtedly receive the full brunt of 50 mph, -5 degree (-35 windchill) winds off the lake, and the dome itself will be well-nigh impossible to see against the snow drifts. The Kenner Dome Welcoming Committee also plans to remove the northern wall of the arena, just in case it became slightly too pleasant inside.

Catering will be provided by the guy who lives two trailers down the block, and will consist of year-old smoked carp and that one can of Bosch he's been saving since 1973. It's a special occasion, after all.

All in all, we on the Kenner Dome Welcoming Committee believe we have an exceptional bid for an exceptional tournament. Just, send Michigan Tech far away. Please. And keep them there.

To be completely honest, this was the very first place that I had in mind when preparing to suggest a Fooper regional, but I had completely forgotten what it was called. So thanks, BPH.

Though Gipp Arena is still in contention too, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Esoxpirate]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

What about Amarillo Texas? The civic center Ice arena is pretty nice.... buts its way off the beeten path and I dont think there has ever been college hockey there, and not sure how many fans would go that far...

http://www.amarillogorillas.com/index.php

BTW, if we did vote for an outdoor arena... I would like to vote for Lake of the Woods in Nothern Minnestoa... Right in the middle... Just shovle it off, and bus the teams the 16 miles across the ice out there... Fans can figure out there own transportaion and can make reservation at the local resort to stay in their fish houses...

Esox

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

To be completely honest, this was the very first place that I had in mind when preparing to suggest a Fooper regional, but I had completely forgotten what it was called. So thanks, BPH.

Though Gipp Arena is still in contention too, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm putting you in charge of the Kenner Dome rock slide subcommittee.

and it took me 5 minutes to remember it was in Oskar, then another 5 to figure out it wasn't the Oskar Dome

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

What about Amarillo Texas? The civic center Ice arena is pretty nice.... buts its way off the beeten path and I dont think there has ever been college hockey there, and not sure how many fans would go that far...

http://www.amarillogorillas.com/index.php

BTW, if we did vote for an outdoor arena... I would like to vote for Lake of the Woods in Nothern Minnestoa... Right in the middle... Just shovle it off, and bus the teams the 16 miles across the ice out there... Fans can figure out there own transportaion and can make reservation at the local resort to stay in their fish houses...

Esox

Sorry, Amarillo hosted last year; http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?p=4233842#post4233842

 

[Federal League]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I found a great candidate: The Ice Park in Flowood, Mississippi. First, it's in Mississippi. Do they even know what hockey is down there? Plus, who the hell would wanna go to Mississippi? Second, it's a complete dump on a dirt road. Third, one of the reviews of this place on Yahoo complains about perverted workers. Fourth, their web site is essentially useless. It doesn't even have directions on how to get there. So to summarize: Mississippi, dump, dirt road, perverted workers, useless web site. Sounds like a BFB/FF venue to me.

Edit to add: Obviously Alabama-Huntsville will have to be sent to another regional, as Flowood is only 5 hours away.

 

[LynahFan]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

So, we're obviously getting plenty of dumps from the likes of MA, NY and MI, but I have a question for everyone:

What's better than a dump in a state that cares about hockey? A dump in a state that doesn't. We gotta get some suggestions from the likes of SC, MS, TN, LA, KS, OK, NM, etc.

Problem is that those are all Bettman-era hockey states, so most of the rinks are relatively new, located in large population centers, and have amenities suitable for rich suburban kids - none of which are desirable features for the Futile Four.

Edit: Except for the one Federal League just found. Winnar!

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I found a great candidate: The Ice Park in Flowood, Mississippi.... to summarize: Mississippi, dump, dirt road, perverted workers, useless web site. Sounds like a BFB/FF venue to me.

Edit to add: Obviously Alabama-Huntsville will have to be sent to another regional, as Flowood is only 5 hours away.

Now THIS is the kind of place we're looking for!

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I found a great candidate: The Ice Park in Flowood, Mississippi. First, it's in Mississippi. Do they even know what hockey is down there? Plus, who the hell would wanna go to Mississippi? Second, it's a complete dump on a dirt road. Third, one of the reviews of this place on Yahoo complains about perverted workers. Fourth, their web site is essentially useless. It doesn't even have directions on how to get there. So to summarize: Mississippi, dump, dirt road, perverted workers, useless web site. Sounds like a BFB/FF venue to me.

Edit to add: Obviously Alabama-Huntsville will have to be sent to another regional, as Flowood is only 5 hours away.

Flowood Ice Park for Futile Four Venue!