Colgate 2011-12

[Gaterrooter]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Good wins tonight for RPI Ranking. Miami beats #1 Ohio State. Nebraska beats North Dakota. Ferris St beats Notre Dame. All good!

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

With Miami, UNO, and Ferris all winning, hopefully we can do our part tonight against Merrimack. I wish I could make the drive out there but prior commitments are keeping me home

No live video doesn't help either probably gonna have to settle for Twitter updates...

 

[klumpmypants]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Post-game interviews with Don Vaughan and Austin Smith after 1-1 Tie vs Merrimack: http://www.youtube.com/user/jmklump33?feature=mhee

 

[TheValleyRaider]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Only got to listen tonight. A real shame, as it sounds like it was a great game. Happy to hear we got a result, and apparently put on most of the pressure in the 3rd. Sounds like Cannata stood on his head

Any idea on Wilson's status? Radio mentioned he didn't play much (if at all) in the 3rd

 

[Rjm7272]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Only got to listen tonight. A real shame, as it sounds like it was a great game. Happy to hear we got a result, and apparently put on most of the pressure in the 3rd. Sounds like Cannata stood on his head

Any idea on Wilson's status? Radio mentioned he didn't play much (if at all) in the 3rd

I didn't see the play, but sometime in the middle of the 2nd, I did see Wilson head slowly towards the bench, I believe right after a faceoff. Don't know exactly what happened, but hopefully it isn't anything that 3 weeks off can't fix.

Well, a tie is a tie, though I'm not terribly upset with this one. They outplayed us in the first, but we certainly came on after that, and had some really good scoring chances that just couldn't be capitalized on.

Also, just want to mention about the official attendance for the game. The box score lists today's attendance at 1426. If that's how many people were really at that game, then they've been exaggerating to us about the capacity of Starr Rink. I've thought all year that the listed numbers have been a little too low, but this one is ridiculous. I wonder where they get the numbers from exactly, because I'm doubting that its ticket stubs....

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

I'm not really a fan of ties, since we don't get a clear-cut winner, but as far as last night goes, we're capable of going toe-to-toe with the best teams in the nation. And we did it without Chris Wagner in the lineup.

Fortunately, we got Kurtis Bartliff back in the lineup, and with 20 days until our next contest, hopefully we'll get Rivellini back for the Canisius game. Hard to believe we're officially halfway through the regular season. Who'da thunk we'd be 11-4-2 come Christmas time? Last year we were 3-13-1 through 17 games. This is really looking like it'll be a special year.

Also of note, Colgate will make the return trip to Merrimack next year.

Happy Holidays!

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Great great game ! Reminded me of Game #3 against Union in the playoffs last year. Goalies were outstanding, thought we were gonna win with the three on one we had in OT but Canata saved their bacon. I think maybe he was the difference, we had more quality scoring chances I thought. Probably the best team we've faced this year, didn't see UNO so, not sure.

I'm convinced we can play with anybody right now, why do we start slow every game ? Oh well, very pleased. Not bad, four losses in seventeen games, 2.5 weeks off now, get healthy and enjoy where we are !

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

echo sentiments of Rainman...caught the first 12 minutes of the game via 'Gate Radio, then HAD to go out to dinner...sounds like we elevated our play in periods 2 and 3...ties are not satisfying, but overall we end the first half playing well and playing confidently...again, the competition between our two goalies is, i believe, a real positive and, God willing we stay relatively healthy, we remain on track for a very good year...finally, must give credit for this year's out-of-conference scheduling (I think DV worked hard on this)...positive reinforcement to last year's finish gained through wins over UN-O and Miami has been important...

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Not much to add. Agree with Shabby and GreenCoat's analysis. We are playing great positional hockey right now...seems like night and day over last year. There were some NHL-quality plays and a couple of spinaramas by players on our team not named Austin Smith. That said, Smitty was all over the ice and I liked his forecheck, challenging MC in front and behind the goal. Great game to watch...Cannata was the difference I agree....huge guy in goal...they were a fast paced team but we've shown we can keep up with top teams. What's not to like?

I'm convinced the trip to Italy fostered the type of chemistry to make this winning season possible.

Saw you briefly Shabby, then you were gone; sorry we couldn't connect to shoot the ****. Next time.

 

[css228]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Nice tie with Merrimack guys. Here's hoping you take care of business so we can really get some hype in late January. We'll try to do our part as well.

 

[Gaterrooter]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

I hate to look ahead at all, so I won't. I'm just saying like our friend and Cornell fan just mentioned. How big will that home and home with Cornell be on the 27th and 28th? Especially with Friday at Cornell on national TV.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

We are now ranked #6 in INCH's Power rankings. Worried about that bullseye painted on their backs now. Unreal !

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

We are now ranked #6 in INCH's Power rankings. Worried about that bullseye painted on their backs now. Unreal !

It's all good: KRACH #14; PWR tied for #12 (with Ferris & Lake State); Win Ratio = #5.

Yup, that target on our back has to be of some concern. Just have to stay mentally and physically tough for the second half when everyone will be coming after us.

 

[Gate93]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Well a win would have been nice, but before the game I figured I would be quite happy with three points out of the Merrimack/Ferris State trio of games. One third of the way there! Will be interesting to see if the team can make a jump having Bartliff back - if he can score like he had been before his injury, this could be a really special team.

Thanks for the report on attendance rjm - I have had the feeling they've been under-reporting over the past two - three years in order to stump for the new arena. I am also amazed that the tickets are expensive as they are. I paid $2 less per ticket to go to the Colgate/Dartmouth game - a much nicer place to watch a game and located in a substantially wealthier market. Seems to me one of the best ways to pump up attendance would be to lower the ticket cost for the locals.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

You can blame our new AD Roach for the ticket prices. Football tickets went up 60% and their used to be tickets available for free from certain stores in town for the locals. Attendances are way down for both sports, and one of the criteria used for playoff football happening is attendance. Way to go Roach !!! He's not liked even by the faculty and staff I've heard.

Starr holds I believe 2246 down from 2600, pre 1990. Saturday was minimum 75% attended. Do the math, that's around 1700, attendance was listed at 1400. Previous weekend against Clarkson and SLU attendance was listed at 1268 for one and 1300 for the next night.

 

['Gate Radio]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

In speaking with one gentleman on Saturday - an actual fan who attended all three games (hoops and hockey), he complimented the ticket prices. That is of course compared to say some of the larger market college hockey teams, mid-major college athletics programs and professional teams, all of which charge much more than Colgate does and have larger arenas i.e. more seats.

As for the attendance, it is what it is. There are no actual turnstiles so you're possibly going by ticket stubs at the gate. And faculty/staff and students don't have actual tickets since they get in for free with ID. Plus, the majority of Saturday's crowd showed up once the game was in progress; it was nearly 85% empty during the National Anthem. If people are shuffling back into the rink from the lobby at the intermission and they are joined by a group of students, who's going to count the students and add them to the total?

Not being defensive over the school here but just trying to bring some actual levity to this discussion before we start breaking out the tinfoil hats regarding conspiracy theories for a new rink.

Let's just be happy that the students, albeit late, are finally starting to show up for games and they're getting into it - I definitely heard a vuvuzela in the crowd after Bourdon's goal. Hopefully this trend will continue in the second semester beginning with the Harvard/Dartmouth weekend.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

I agree that overall, compared to large venue colleges our prices are either lower or right in line, but, speaking as an ex towny, many people in the village would have a difficult time paying $8-12 dollars plus concessions for the kids at these games.(football and hockey) I have talked to many of the locals(I grew up in Hamilton) and they are very angry to the point of not going anymore. In this economy it's really stretching your budget for many!! Not meaning to harp but attendance now is a joke. I would also bet that the total gate revenue is less now even with the spiked up cost of the tickets. We are not a large venue and never will be. It ain't working Roach !!

On a positive note, the students actually cheered a few times, hopefully it continues. We have something special this year.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

I agree that overall, compared to large venue colleges our prices are either lower or right in line, but, speaking as an ex towny, many people in the village would have a difficult time paying $8-12 dollars plus concessions for the kids at these games.(football and hockey) I have talked to many of the locals(I grew up in Hamilton) and they are very angry to the point of not going anymore. In this economy it's really stretching your budget for many!! Not meaning to harp but attendance now is a joke. I would also bet that the total gate revenue is less now even with the spiked up cost of the tickets. We are not a large venue and never will be. It ain't working Roach !!

On a positive note, the students actually cheered a few times, hopefully it continues. We have something special this year.

Compared to what I was used to in Troy (and a couple other places for that matter), I always found your prices to be a bit of a steal, hence it was easier for me to bring some of my local friends out (not to mention a 45 minute trip helps a bit). I do agree that lower prices may encourage more fans to attend the games, but there's only a certain point where that continues to work. What was the average attendance when the prices were lower? Also be sure to factor that the team is playing incredibly well this year, and I'd take a look at how next year's season and reserve ticket sales do.

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

As for the attendance, it is what it is. There are no actual turnstiles so you're possibly going by ticket stubs at the gate. And faculty/staff and students don't have actual tickets since they get in for free with ID. Plus, the majority of Saturday's crowd showed up once the game was in progress; it was nearly 85% empty during the National Anthem. If people are shuffling back into the rink from the lobby at the intermission and they are joined by a group of students, who's going to count the students and add them to the total?

'Gate Radio, you hit the nail on the head on this issue. Even in my days as a student, I have always thought that the listed attendance was never accurate. Chances are that the listed attendance is only for paid ticket stubs and not "free" ones -- students, faculty/staff, and even promotions (i.e. the 1st Miami game I got in for free because I wore a hockey jersey). So 1428 is not counting any students or faculty members that attend. So if, say, 200 students showed up for the Merrimack game, then we get an actual attendance of close to 1700, or a rink that is 75% full.

Another factor that hurts attendance is the splitting of tickets into "reserved chairback" and "general admission". Nobody would want to pay more $$ for an actual "chair" of a seat when they can just sit on a bench on the other side of the rink or choose to stand during the game. In the Miami games back in Oct. almost everyone at the game was in the endzone seating or student section/pep band side of the rink. Myself included. Hopefully this problem is remedied when it comes time to design this new rink. If the architects (Cannon Design from Boston, I believe) get it right they will make it all chairbacks with a walkway around the outer perimeter, to allow for standing room patrons. Then ticket prices can be split into actual seats and standing room only. This can accommodate more fans for games like Cornell, Clarkson/SLU, and even non-conference games against top teams.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2011-12

Rain, I agree with most of what you said but, the student side was about 90% full by games end Saturday. Not all students though. If the endzone seating is about 400 maybe, that leaves 900 per side. Who knows ? In an earlier post here some1 saw the plans at the Silver Puck banquet. Seats around the whole rink with SRO. Offices are upstairs also. Maybe some glassed in areas at one end. 2000 seating is not enough though in my opinion.