Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

[FerrisStateHockeyFan]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

While I agree with Hammer with regards to the rankings and who makes the tournament, I think they hold some merit for getting butts in the seats at Ewigleben. Die-hard, sorostitutes or band-wagon makes no difference to me, butts in the seats help the program and the buzz generated by being ranked would help get people out to the games.

That is the only reason I cared for the rankings. Hammer, I am not new to this place, I've been looking at this chat for years, played hockey my entire life, and actually know what the hexagon behind the net is I just finally made a user account.

I understand these rankings don't matter, but for the Ferris State Torch, and the Big Rapids Pioneer, and WZZM Channel 13, and 9&10 News to be able to report:

"Ferris State Hockey is NATIONALLY RANKED, along with Michigan, Notre Dame, Miami, etc." really looks good for the Bulldogs. And all the students and fans who don't really know hockey, but hear, "FSU HOCKEY NATIONALLY RANKED" might check out more and more games, which leads to more money...and you know....



I understand these rankings mean nothing, and PWR is what matters and all that. But these students and non-diehard fans have no idea what what means.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

The biggest test, as it comes to getting butts in the seats, will be over the next month following this series. We've got Ohio State, Miami, UNO and Western Michigan (maybe not in that order). If we can get through that better than 4-4, we're looking at something like 11-7, and I'd expect the attendance to pick up after semester break, especially when the next stretch of league games includes home games against Miami and Michigan.

We're almost going to need to be somewhere around 11-7 at the break. The 2nd half schedule does NOT look to be very kind to us. If we hit a rough patch now, and slump after the first of the year, we're looking at 1,500 a night the rest of the way with the exception of the Michigan and MSU games. If we hit the skids and go in to Christmas 8-10-0 and split over Christmas, and drop 5 of 6 to Notre Dame, Miami and Michigan (a distinct possibility if we slip now), we're looking at something like 10-16-0. At that point, say goodnight and see you next fall, and, sadly, I think the attendance will do the same.

 

[FerrisStateHockeyFan]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Hammer/Bueller/Anyone - What do you guys think about the 5:00pm start time on Saturdays for games AT Ferris State University?

I know their logic behind it, is for more families to be able to come to the games without tying up their Saturday night. For instance, a couple who has a little kid, that kid cant be out until 10pm on game nights. Or students who don't want to go to the games because they want to party and drink, so now this doesn't tie that up for them either, etc.

I personally do not like it. I know it now gives the hockey players an extra two hours of partying, lol, and it just doesn't seem right. Day hockey games? Were not playing football here. Hockey has always been at night.

 

[bueller]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Hammer/Bueller/Anyone - What do you guys think about the 5:00pm start time on Saturdays for games AT Ferris State University?

I like getting out there early. However, I do feel that they are affecting actual attendance. There isn't much of a change from Friday to Saturday on the box scores, but IMO attendance is lower on Saturday nights, particularly in the student section.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Hammer/Bueller/Anyone - What do you guys think about the 5:00pm start time on Saturdays for games AT Ferris State University?

.......

I personally do not like it. I know it now gives the hockey players an extra two hours of partying, lol, and it just doesn't seem right. Day hockey games? Were not playing football here. Hockey has always been at night.

I completely agree with you here. I don't like it. It's easy to forget about a 5:00 start. Hockey games should start at 7:00 or shortly thereafter. If you're having problems putting butts in the seats, you don't start jerking around with game times. If you feel like going to a game, it's easier if you know for a fact that any given home game will start at 7 PM and you can adjust accordingly. There's no "well, does it start at 3, or 5, or 7:30, or when?". It shouldn't be a guessing game. Division III will play Saturday games at 3:00 at times, but there are other concerns there.

As for the students, they'll drink whether it's 10:30 in the morning (guilty as charged here) or at 10 at night. The clock isn't an issue on a Saturday as far as that goes. You've got all Sunday to get yourself right.

One other thing about families and 5:00 starts: you're screwing up dinner time as well. You ever deal with a 7-year old that hasn't had his dinner at 8:30 pm? And do you really want to get your kid dinner at a concession stand? I can think of a helluva lot worse things for a family to do with their children than take them to a hockey game (or most sporting events, for that matter) where they're home by 9:30-10 PM, which is roughly where you're at when you're looking at a 7:00-7:05 faceoff.

 

[SportsTalk51]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

I think Ferris is catering to the season ticket holders with the 5:00 starts. Just my opinion on that from the reasoning I've heard. As far as familys, etc., they're really amping up their promotion and ticket deals, especially for Saturdays. Every weekend, they've got some buy 2 get 1 deal or buy a ticket, get a kid in free type thing going.

What it seems to me is that they're trying to please their regulars and attract new fans at the same time. Maybe they figure the casual fan is going to be casual no matter what. That I don't know.

 

[jay ferguson]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Do any of you have Ferris Bueller's Day Off? I'm thinking of hosting movie night out on the island and the Missing Link herd goes crazy for that flick.

 

[KC8NIY]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

5:00 starts really are a poor formula for success. Many, many people view a Saturday evening hockey game as the culmination to the day. You do what you want during the day, then head out for some hockey for the evening festivities. Hockey is an event, not something you do to split up your afternoon and evening. Heck, even the younger children get to look forward to it as a reason to stay up late. Students? Bah, they're more likely to attend a 9:00 face off than a 5:00.

IMO, regulars are going to be turned off by the early start times and casuals won't be bothered to interrupt dinner or relaxing before evening plans. I wish the university luck with this, but I think the effort to put more butts in seats is better directed at other opportunities.

 

[bigmrg74]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

All in all, the only guaranteed formula for putting butts in the seats is winning.

 

[FerrisStateHockeyFan]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

The Bowling Green State Falcons (0-5-1) travel to the Ewigiblen Ice Arena to take on the Ferris State Bulldogs 5-3 this weekend. 7:00pm Friday start. 5:00pm Saturday start. There is already a thread started in the "Score Updates" thread.

I believe you can watch the game on the B2 Networks here:
http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_memb...ckey Men's

And our radio guy mentions that he tweets during the game - www.twitter.com/ferrishockey

And here are the live stats: http://www.collegehockeystats.net/0910/livebox/mbgsfsua.n06

There is no audio to listen to the game for free. Enjoy everyone!

 

[FerrisStateHockeyFan]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Bulldog Hockey overcomes the Bowling Green State Falcons 5-1 at the friendly confines of the Ewigiblen Ice Arena, at Ferris State University, in Big Rapids, Michigan.

Bulldogs now have 5 consecutive home wins. Two Back-to-Back Home Sweeps, a 5th win tonight. Tomorrow could be three Back-to-Back-to-Back Home Sweeps in a row.

We'll see. Overall record: 6-2. 5-0 at home.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

5-1. 4-11 on the power play. BG takes 12 penalties and gives up 11 power plays. We took 6 penalties and give up 5 power plays. This is exactly what I've been preaching for a few years now. Tonight we were the more disciplined team. Bowling Green was the team that took too many penalties and gave up too many opportunities. The result was reflected on the scoreboard.

When we're more disciplined and not spending half the night in the penalty box, we're going to be happier with the end result. Tonight was a perfect case in point. Very pleased with tonight's win.

 

[FerrisStateHockeyFan]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Hammer,

You don't have to preach to us on what you said. We take you as an expert here. What you say goes

Hope tonight goes just as well. Do you think Ferris State can pull the Back-to-Back-to-Back Home Sweep tonight?....or should I say..this afternoon? lol

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Hammer,

You don't have to preach to us on what you said. We take you as an expert here. What you say goes

Hope tonight goes just as well. Do you think Ferris State can pull the Back-to-Back-to-Back Home Sweep tonight?....or should I say..this afternoon? lol

And now Kirzinger goes and takes another CFB tonight.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

A sweep. Exactly what we needed.

Another CFB penalty, as mentioned below. Exactly what we didn't need.

These majors are getting ridiculous. They've got to get that under control right now.

 

[ferrisfan1]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Went to the game tonight and saw something like 10 minutes of 5 on 5 play. Ferris was clearly the more skilled team but the discipline was lacking. The check from behind major, the other check from behind in the last second of the first in the neutral zone (rediculous), and the too many men on the ice are just a few examples. Fortuntely, BG was unable to make them pay but most of the teams on the schedule from here on out will not be so kind.

On the positive side, Ferris came back from a 1-0 deficit for the second straight night...a sign of a team with good perspective. Some lucky bounces...good teams seem to find the most luck. Freshman contributions and another 3 points were also great to see.

This team is fun to watch. I'm looking forward to an exciting season.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

I think the next 8 games are going to tell us all we need to know about this season. Miami, Ohio State, UNO and Western Michigan get us to the break. A split over the next 8 and we might be okay. We've got Notre Dame, Miami and Michigan right after we get back from break. If we struggle over the next month or so, this season is going to go right down the poop chute in a hurry. There's only 10 games after we get done with the ND-Miami-Michigan stretch. If we bury ourselves now, there's not enough time to dig out of it.

We did what we needed to do in the first 10 games. We beat some really bad teams, and I somewhat expected what happened in Fairbanks. If we hadn't started out 7-3, we'd be in real trouble right now.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

Okay. You want rankings? We've got rankings.

We're #17.

The boss has arrived, and he's early this year.

USCHO decided to start posting the PWR about 2 months earlier than they usually do. USCHO in the past has updated these after the completion of every game (or at least a reasonable amount of time thereafter). While some of the data is limited this early into the season, these are the ones to pay attention to, as they determine the NCAA field. These actually mean something. Have at it.

 

[CCHAfan]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

So is this what teams and "Digital Television Scoreboards" will go by for now on? These actual rankings? Or still the coaches polls every sunday/monday?

 

[Hammer]

Re: Ferris State Hockey 2009-10 - 2 minutes for slashing

No, the booger-eaters will still show the polls, much like the college football media will show coaches polls and AP rankings, even though they know that the BCS is boss, much like PWR is here.

If you're #8 in the polls because a bunch of writers voted you so, you can still miss the tournament. If you're #8 in the rankings I posted below at the end of the season, you're a #2 seed in your region in the NCAA tournament.