ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

[Red Cloud]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

FWIW: Online, the best I can get as a single ticket right now is 111, row L. I know that likely doesn't tell the entire story, and that the 4 schools get 2 sections near each goal line/corner, however if a single can't be found on the sides...

I seem to recall that in 2004 (Clarkson/Harvard/Dartmouth/Colgate) I bought tickets at the last minute and was in the upper deck.

 

[TimV]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

I think it'll be a great tournament.

Brown is on a roll, has taken down two very strong teams and will probably, with Union, be very intense in their play. St Lawrence plays with a bit of an edge, has some great skaters, Coach Marsh, and a good fan base. Union has the best team they ever had, and have historically hung losses on Cornell even when Union was at the bottom of the league.

But what has history got to do with it? Maybe nuthin. But this year (2010), Cornell could only get a tie with both Union and SLU on Cornell's home ice, where they usually have a big crowd advantage.

I disagree with the assertions that Cornell-Brown will be "a snoozer" - Cornell plays a lot of one-goal games, and under those conditions, one bounce off a scramble in front erases 3 periods of hard checking, crease battles, and penalty kills. To me at least, defensive hockey can still be entertaining.

I really like the fact that (edit)two lower seeded teams are in it, and that these kids have a chance at last to be in big games, and that their mommas and poppas that have dealt with a lot of losses have a chance for some excitement.

 

[Saints#1]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

I think it'll be a great tournament.

Brown is on a roll, has taken down two very strong teams and will probably, with Union, be very intense in their play. St Lawrence plays with a bit of an edge, has some great skaters, Coach Marsh, and a good fan base. Union has the best team they ever had, and have historically hung losses on Cornell even when Union was at the bottom of the league.

But what has history got to do with it? Maybe nuthin. But this year (2010), Cornell could only get a tie with both Union and SLU on Cornell's home ice, where they usually have a big crowd advantage.

I disagree with the assertions that Cornell-Brown will be "a snoozer" - Cornell plays a lot of one-goal games, and under those conditions, one bounce off a scramble in front erases 3 periods of hard checking, crease battles, and penalty kills. To me at least, defensive hockey can still be entertaining.

I really like the fact that three lower seeded teams are in it, and that these kids have a chance at last to be in big games, and that their mommas and poppas that have dealt with a lot of losses have a chance for some excitement.

I agree that this championship weekend has the potential to be an exciting one. However, SLU and Cornell tied at Appleton not at Lynah. Only two of the teams this weekend didn't receive a bye for the playoffs which is what most would consider the determination of a lower seed. Even SLU, is only a five seed for the playoffs so not much of a lower seed themselves.

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

They'll sell beer even though it's ECAC hockey, right?

Haven't read the entire thread yet (but it sure is fun) so somebody else may have already responded . . .

It's against NCAA policies to sell alcohol at any event. BU gets away with at Agganis Arena for some reason, but that's the only venue where I've seen it sold. That includes the Verizon Wireless Arena (NCAA Regionals) and the TD Banknorth Garden (Hockey East semis & finals).

So, if they do have beer available . . . bully for you!

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

It's against NCAA policies to sell alcohol at any event. BU gets away with at Agganis Arena for some reason, but that's the only venue where I've seen it sold. That includes the Verizon Wireless Arena (NCAA Regionals) and the TD Banknorth Garden (Hockey East semis & finals).

How can it be against NCAA policies to sell alcohol when so many different places "get away with it?"

Please, people, don't post things as fact when you don't know for sure that they're fact.

 

[aweise]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

How can it be against NCAA policies to sell alcohol when so many different places "get away with it?"

Please, people, don't post things as fact when you don't know for sure that they're fact.

They haven't sold it at the regionals or Frozen Four ever since I've been going, but they definitely have done so at the ECACs in Albany (don't remember any in LP).

I thought I heard somewhere that it really is NCAA policy to not sell it at NCAA events. Since this is an ECAC event, perhaps those same restrictions don't apply?

 

[aweise]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

Update on the ticket sales...

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=912471&category=SPORTS

 

[Wholin1]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

No matter how many tickets have been sold in the past, it's been my experience that the arena rarely has as many bodies as actual tickets sold. Many fans tend not to show up the first day until their team is playing if in the second session, and many leave after the first game if their team has played in that one. On the second day a good portion of the fans don't show if their team has been eliminated. To get a really good atmosphere I think they would need to sell a lot more session passes.

 

[Got 6 Want More]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

Haven't read the entire thread yet (but it sure is fun) so somebody else may have already responded . . .

It's against NCAA policies to sell alcohol at any event. BU gets away with at Agganis Arena for some reason, but that's the only venue where I've seen it sold. That includes the Verizon Wireless Arena (NCAA Regionals) and the TD Banknorth Garden (Hockey East semis & finals).

So, if they do have beer available . . . bully for you!

I am pretty certain that is because BU does not officially own Agganis. The only time I have seen alcohol served is when the school does not own but leases the building therefore it is up to building management whether or not to sell booze. BU, CC, No Dak, and I think Lowell all serve during games.

 

[aweise]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

No matter how many tickets have been sold in the past, it's been my experience that the arena rarely has as many bodies as actual tickets sold. Many fans tend not to show up the first day until their team is playing if in the second session, and many leave after the first game if their team has played in that one. On the second day a good portion of the fans don't show if their team has been eliminated. To get a really good atmosphere I think they would need to sell a lot more session passes.

Exactly...it's twisting the numbers. There may end up being 7,000 people going through the turnstiles on Friday, but 2,000 Cornell fans might leave after their game and 1,000 Union fans won't show up until 6:30 or so.

 

[TimV]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

Only two of the teams this weekend didn't receive a bye for the playoffs which is what most would consider the determination of a lower seed. Even SLU, is only a five seed for the playoffs so not much of a lower seed themselves.

You're right. Should have said two. What was the SLU preseason predicted finish? Good luck to your team, I like their style.

 

[soxrok3]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

Exactly...it's twisting the numbers. There may end up being 7,000 people going through the turnstiles on Friday, but 2,000 Cornell fans might leave after their game and 1,000 Union fans won't show up until 6:30 or so.

You're correct about this. However, I will say that I don't believe 7,000 tickets have ever been sold to the ECACs in the past. I'm pretty sure the attendance figures from last year are a measure of total fans that entered the building and 7,000 is a significant increase from 5,000. I think this year has the potential to provide the best atmosphere yet at this event.

Also, should Union make it to the finals against Cornell, I would expect lots of ticket sales from locals on Saturday given the game would be for a Union NCAA tournament berth. This also would have no conflict with a potential Siena second round game since I know they'd play on Sunday.

 

[uniondutch21]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

I believe NCAA rules are that no alcohol can be sold at an NCAA event on a college campus. This is off campus so they should be free and clear to do it. Siena sells beer at the TUC

 

[aweise]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

You're correct about this. However, I will say that I don't believe 7,000 tickets have ever been sold to the ECACs in the past. I'm pretty sure the attendance figures from last year are a measure of total fans that entered the building and 7,000 is a significant increase from 5,000. I think this year has the potential to provide the best atmosphere yet at this event.

I was just throwing a number out there, not making a prediction as to the attendance figure. 7,000 would be huge compared to the past 3-4 years.

Also, should Union make it to the finals against Cornell, I would expect lots of ticket sales from locals on Saturday given the game would be for a Union NCAA tournament berth. This also would have no conflict with a potential Siena second round game since I know they'd play on Sunday.

You like to look ahead, don't you?

 

[soxrok3]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

I do, aweise. Perhaps because I'm not a Union fan I'm not all that superstitious, but I understand that you don't like to!

However, now thinking about it, if a bunch of SLU fans were to leave (potentially, obviously) sales from Union people may only replace these fans rather than increase total attendance. I guess we can discuss it at length on Friday evening should it occur!

 

[TimU]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

You're right. Should have said two. What was the SLU preseason predicted finish? Good luck to your team, I like their style.

Coaches picked SLU 10th.

(The USCHO season preview had them 11th, and the overall preseason media poll put them 7th.)

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

How can it be against NCAA policies to sell alcohol when so many different places "get away with it?"

You get away with it the same way players get away with hits from behind, slashing, or any infraction during the game - you don't get caught.

After a bit of searching, this is what I came up with; the NCAA site wouldn't give me a direct answer. The link below doesn't have a published date, but hopefully it'll clear up the alcohol debate. It's the third bullet down:

http://ccsap.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=3352

According to this, the NCAA "recommends" not selling alcohol. However, what you may run into, for regular season games, is that alcohol is banned in most campus buildings -- which is why, as somebody mentioned, BU may get away with it, since they don't own Agannis. There may also be a "don't tick off the NCAA" thought process behind why many public arenas don't often sell beer (much to my dismay).

Please, people, don't post things as fact when you don't know for sure that they're fact.

I agree; when debating/discussing something like this, post a link, or cite a source. To support my statement, see the above link, or read on. I asked the director of the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH about it; he said, "the NCAA tells us to not sell alcohol." I know it leans towards he said / she said, but since they host NCAA Hockey Regionals every other year (and just won the bid through 2017), I figured he knew what he was talking about.

A quick note: from reading the rest of the thread, I'm sure many people rolled their eyes, or took exception to Red Cloud's comments -- it's a common theme in thread. I, for one, and with him with just about every post. I actually expected the type of response I got -- if I had the chance earlier, I would have posted the research / link in my original post. In short, if he expects a bit of credibility, respect, and consistency from other posters, I don't think that makes him superior, or a jerk. Just my two cents.

And now, back to hockey. GO BIG RED.

 

[SlyFoxMan7]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

I think this year's draw is being greatly underestimated. I watched last year's games, and SLU and Cornell both brought very large contingents. The other two teams were Yale and Princeton, who probably brought a few hundred combined. This year however, we have Union, which should get at the least 1,500 or so. Brown won't travel well obviously, but the other three teams create possibly the best scenario not involving Clarkson or RPI.

Union will draw at least 2000 and most likely more. Union gets 2000 at a regular season game.

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

Union will draw at least 2000 and most likely more. Union gets 2000 at a regular season game.

This has been mentioned many times. The question remains, how many of those fans at the Union games are fans of the opposing team? Some schools travel very well.

 

[burgie12]

Re: ECAC Semifinals & Finals: Albany, NY

I thought I heard somewhere that it really is NCAA policy to not sell it at NCAA events. Since this is an ECAC event, perhaps those same restrictions don't apply?

ECAC is a subset of NCAA (that whole square is a subset of a rectangle thing you learned back in 6th grade...), so that would not be a complete explanation.

At the MSG for the Red Hot Hockey this past November, beer was sold. At the Denver Cup January 09 at Magness (an on-campus arena), beer was sold. (RC also states that Magness sells beer during the regular season / WCHA play, too, so it wasn't just a one-off.)

These are the only personal experiences I have to go on.