Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

[Esoxpirate]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Dear wholesome Committee,

I have a few new suggestions Since I was unaware that Amarillo was utilized last year.

no particular order:
1. Blades Multi-plex Arena, This facility is amazing, the Steel siding will be perfect for making sure the ice doesn't melt in the blazing New Mexico heat. http://www.bladesnm.com

2. Loyd Ice Center, Portland Oregon. This facility is known for some great broom ball games and curling. I tell you nothing would beet a hockey game/curling tournament at the same time on the same sheet...
http://www.evergreencurling.com/gall...ll_2008.html#6

3. Another Oregon nomination Bill Collier Community Ice Arena. This facility located in Klamath is literally a Quonset covered by a large sheet of plastic.
http://klamathicesports.org/

4. This is my final and favorite submittal, the rink is located just outside of Mexico City. Pista de Hielo is home to some kind of hockey team, and has ice i presume. but my inability to read Spanish or navigate there website doesn't leave me with much more... This is the best suggestion just for the bus ride the Michigan Tech will have to endure.
http://www.pistadehielofundidora.com/

Esox

 

[Federal League]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Dear wholesome Committee,

I have a few new suggestions Since I was unaware that Amarillo was utilized last year.

no particular order:
1. Blades Multi-plex Arena, This facility is amazing, the Steel siding will be perfect for making sure the ice doesn't melt in the blazing New Mexico heat. http://www.bladesnm.com

2. Loyd Ice Center, Portland Oregon. This facility is known for some great broom ball games and curling. I tell you nothing would beet a hockey game/curling tournament at the same time on the same sheet...
http://www.evergreencurling.com/gall...ll_2008.html#6

3. Another Oregon nomination Bill Collier Community Ice Arena. This facility located in Klamath is literally a Quonset covered by a large sheet of plastic.
http://klamathicesports.org/

4. This is my final and favorite submittal, the rink is located just outside of Mexico City. Pista de Hielo is home to some kind of hockey team, and has ice i presume. but my inability to read Spanish or navigate there website doesn't leave me with much more... This is the best suggestion just for the bus ride the Michigan Tech will have to endure.
http://www.pistadehielofundidora.com/

Esox

Second link didn't work, but those other three choices are solid. My only problem with Blades Multi-plex Arena and Bill Collier Community Ice Arena is that, judging from the pics on their websites, they actually do a decent job of maintaining the ice, boards and building in general. Still, the locations are excellent. Ultimately, though, my support for the West Regional still lies with Palouse Ice Arena.

That said, I am completely behind Pista de Hielo. My suggestion is to make George Gipp Arena the home of the East Regional (let's be serious - no one cares that it's actually not in the East) and Pista de Hielo the home of the Midwest Regional. The fact that it's in Mexico and that no one will be able to understand anything once they get there is very appealing.

 

[BUPhD]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I was going to suggest the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum because of my memories of going to see the Komets on the road against the Indy Ice back in the original IHL days. The place was a run down fleabag dump that smelled just rotten in the halls and looked like a run down barn that'd been painted black inside. Half the seats in the upper areas were broken too.

I think they fixed it up at some point so that probably makes it way too classy by now.

Someone should scout Windsor for some nasty venues. I'll bet there are quite a few given Windsor's desire to be "Detroit without the crime" and ending up being "Detroit without...well...anything worth mentioning."

And when the international incident occurs, it's a quick run north to the border into Detroit...where incidents of their own could occur.

 

[BUT09]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I think Mexico is a brilliant idea. My only question is, will it be a tourist draw? With the recent fad of starting the NHL season in another country, that association might have people drawn to the idea of traveling out of country for the occasion. Doesn't hurt that everything is cheaper down there, too.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

The Pista de Hiejo appears to have synthetic ice. Not sure if that influences the decision.

And I agree that even the dumpiest of those places, the Bill Collier Arena, looks like a million bucks compared to the Palouse, the Gipp (or the Kenner Dome), or some of the preferred Eastern venues. I still like Mexico City as a possibility, but only if it's during a riot.

 

[BUT09]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

The Pista de Hiejo appears to have synthetic ice. Not sure if that influences the decision.

Having skated on synthetic ice (my uncle has a tiny rink in his backyard in florida), I think that's perfect! You can't hockey stop at all, turning is slower, and it completely screws up your blades. My uncle and cousins have seperate skates for the backyard because it's that terrible on the blades.

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Having skated on synthetic ice (my uncle has a tiny rink in his backyard in florida), I think that's perfect! You can't hockey stop at all, turning is slower, and it completely screws up your blades. My uncle and cousins have seperate skates for the backyard because it's that terrible on the blades.

So what you're saying is... they'll play even WORSE than normal??

Brilliant!

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Hicksville OH: The site selection committee for the BottomFeedersBracket has finally gotten around to announcing the locations for this year's regionals and FutileFour. The site selection process was actually completed nearly two weeks ago, but the notes from the conference were left in a booth at Flo's Diner just outside this tiny city on the Ohio-Indiana border, and needed to be retreived from a nearby landfill.

East Regional; Hockey Town USA in Saugus MA
http://www.hockeytownsaugus.com/

Northeast Regional; St Lawrence Centre in Massena NY
http://www.slcarena.com/

Midwest Regional; George Gipp Arena in Laurium MI
http://www.michigan.org/Property/Detail.aspx?p=B4757

West Regional; Palouse Ice Rink in Moscow ID
http://www.palouseicerink.com/

Futile Four; The Ice Park in Flowood Mississippi
http://www.angelfire.com/games5/thepark/

Tournament chair Hussein Ali Obama (no relation) had these comments released through an interpreter this afternoon: "The site selection committee had a Herculean task to find the worst of the worst facilities from among so many worthy applications. Now the real fun begins, as we watch how the team selection process plays itself out over the next five or six weeks. Last year's event was an atrocity, a genuine affront to the dignity of athletic competition, but we believe we can do even worse this year."

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I would like to nominate the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, in Inuvik, NT. Yes, there are some drawbacks, the arena has much more seating than would be expected at a prestigous event like this. I think that it should still be in the running because it is in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. No one will travel to Inuvik, hell, I don't even know if you can drive there after the ice roads melt. The teams might not even show up!

http://www.inuvik.ca/recreation/msrc.html

edit: ****! I just missed it! maybe next year

 

[Federal League]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Hicksville OH: The site selection committee for the BottomFeedersBracket has finally gotten around to announcing the locations for this year's regionals and FutileFour. The site selection process was actually completed nearly two weeks ago, but the notes from the conference were left in a booth at Flo's Diner just outside this tiny city on the Ohio-Indiana border, and needed to be retreived from a nearby landfill.

East Regional; Hockey Town USA in Saugus MA
http://www.hockeytownsaugus.com/

Northeast Regional; St Lawrence Centre in Massena NY
http://www.slcarena.com/

Midwest Regional; George Gipp Arena in Laurium MI
http://www.michigan.org/Property/Detail.aspx?p=B4757

West Regional; Palouse Ice Rink in Moscow ID
http://www.palouseicerink.com/

Futile Four; The Ice Park in Flowood Mississippi
http://www.angelfire.com/games5/thepark/

Tournament chair Hussein Ali Obama (no relation) had these comments released through an interpreter this afternoon: "The site selection committee had a Herculean task to find the worst of the worst facilities from among so many worthy applications. Now the real fun begins, as we watch how the team selection process plays itself out over the next five or six weeks. Last year's event was an atrocity, a genuine affront to the dignity of athletic competition, but we believe we can do even worse this year."

I will give these selections a well-deserved golf clap (nothing associated with this tournament deserves an actual cheer).

 

[Kepler]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Second link didn't work,

This one does. As you can see, the Lloyd Ice Center is inside a shopping mall. It's actually a slightly smaller sheet than in it looks in that photo, so Clarkson's defensemen might even be able to get back on a play.

I've skated there, and I can't recommend it enough. Among the items I've found partially frozen into the surface were a lollipop and a condom. They were not found together, at least.

The only problem is that Portland actually has a large, thriving, vocal hockey community, so the teams might be disoriented by playing in front of fans.

Derek Gustafson could drop the ceremonial puck -- he came from just up the road from that mall.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

I've skated there, and I can't recommend it enough. Among the items I've found partially frozen into the surface were a lollipop and a condom. They were not found together, at least.

So, you're saying that DL was not there....

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Tournament Team Selection Process to be 'Tweeked'

Rumors have been leaked from a recent meeting of the BFB/F4 committee that lead this writer to believe a major shakeup is afoot in the process used to select teams and assign their respective seeding for this year's event.

Reliable sources within the housekeeping staff of the Motel 6 in Kearney Nebraska, reportedly overheard a heated discussion from the next room, and reported it to the motel manager Abu Baalaark Gretzky (no relation). According to Abu, the room was rented to officials from the BFB/F4, and the argument centered around the belief that existing ranking systems promote an extreme bias in favor of Atlantic Hockey.

With all ten member schools currently ranked in the bottom 16 of the KRACH ratings, the very real possibility exists that some team might qualify for both the NCAA Tournament and the BFB. One loud voice was heard exclaiming "If we don't come up with some way to eliminate this Atlantic bias, the integrity of our event could be destroyed."

Suggested remedies reportedly include:
1. Restricting at-large bids to no more than 60% of any single conference's membership.
2. Forbidding any team with a winning percentage above .400 from consideration for an at large bid, regardless of their Weakness of Schedule.
3. Expanding the tournament field to 17-20 teams, and adding a 'play-in' round to one or more regionals.
4. Simply declaring any team that qualifies for the NCAA tournament as ineligible for the BFB.
5. Expanded use of a Ouija Board.

This writer's opinion is that the fans ought to have a say in the process, and it is with that in mind that I have decided to publish this report. Please feel free to offer your suggestions, ideas and rants.

 

[WeWantMore]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Futile Four; The Ice Park in Flowood Mississippi
http://www.angelfire.com/games5/thepark/
"

It's worrying that when I did a Yahoo search, the review I found claimed that the Park was under new management, and is in much better shape now.

 

[Freddie]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

It's worrying that when I did a Yahoo search, the review I found claimed that the Park was under new management, and is in much better shape now.

The committee also saw that review, and came to the conclusion that it had been written BY the new management. Trust us, the place is a dump!

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

The committee also saw that review, and came to the conclusion that it had been written BY the new management. Trust us, the place is a dump!

Isn't the whole idea of the BFB for hockey fans NOT to trust the committee?

 

[GoDanGo]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Tournament Team Selection Process to be 'Tweeked'

This writer's opinion is that the fans ought to have a say in the process, and it is with that in mind that I have decided to publish this report. Please feel free to offer your suggestions, ideas and rants.

Thoughts on going back to the two-autobid-per-conference system that the NCAA used briefly? Two teams from each conference get autobids: the last-place team from the regular season, and the last-place team from the tournament. Since most tournaments don't explicitly determine a last-place team, the Futile Four will award this autobid to the first team (timewise) to be eliminated from their conference tournament. (In HE's case, the Futile Four can accept the two last-place teams, who don't even make the tournament to begin with.) The remaining four spots are taken by at-large bids.

Possible advantages:
- Any team requiring a third game to be eliminated is basically disqualified, guaranteeing that any team with a fighting chance of winning anything gets thrown out.
- Any team which gets enough publicity to be on TV is probably disqualified, as their media time-outs will delay the end of their game to the point that another team will be eliminated first.
- The ending time of the game has little to do with actually playing hockey, guaranteeing that at least someone will be unhappy that their team was/wasn't picked.
- Teams in multiple-time-zone conferences (CCHA, Atlantic) will be arbitrarily helped or hurt depending on where they play, decoupling the results even further from actual hockey skills.

Disadvantages:
- Accepting two teams from the WCHA and HEA runs the risk that competent teams slip into the field. (Any team could be accepted with enough upsets in the conference tournaments.)
- Four spots for at-large bids doesn't seem like quite enough. And we'd still be likely to end up with 6 AHA teams.

 

[Federal League]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Suggested remedies reportedly include:
1. Restricting at-large bids to no more than 60% of any single conference's membership.
2. Forbidding any team with a winning percentage above .400 from consideration for an at large bid, regardless of their Weakness of Schedule.
3. Expanding the tournament field to 17-20 teams, and adding a 'play-in' round to one or more regionals.
4. Simply declaring any team that qualifies for the NCAA tournament as ineligible for the BFB.
5. Expanded use of a Ouija Board.

I support suggestions 1, 2, 4 and 5.

 

[Patman]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

This writer's opinion is that the fans ought to have a say in the process, and it is with that in mind that I have decided to publish this report. Please feel free to offer your suggestions, ideas and rants.

I second the use of the Ouija board.
Have we ever really used the anti-pairwise?
Have we ever discussed play-out rounds with the conferences to give full flavor to this tournament? Anti-Final Five, etc.
Last team should be decided by a full team RPS match.

ideas 2 and 3 of yours may contradict

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Bottom Feeders Bracket/Futile Four 2010

Suggested remedies reportedly include:
1. Restricting at-large bids to no more than 60% of any single conference's membership.
2. Forbidding any team with a winning percentage above .400 from consideration for an at large bid, regardless of their Weakness of Schedule.
3. Expanding the tournament field to 17-20 teams, and adding a 'play-in' round to one or more regionals.
4. Simply declaring any team that qualifies for the NCAA tournament as ineligible for the BFB.
5. Expanded use of a Ouija Board.

This writer's opinion is that the fans ought to have a say in the process, and it is with that in mind that I have decided to publish this report. Please feel free to offer your suggestions, ideas and rants.

#5. No question whatsoever.

Hockey East should have two autobids, and without question, they should be the teams that do not make the playoffs.

BTW, wouldn't it be interesting if, because of that, the winner of the Futile Four gets the belt?