Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

[hurstfan87]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

What would happen if Lindenwood would join the WCHA and then Ohio State would join the CHA. With Penn State joining the CHA that would still have the WCHA at 8 teams and then the CHA would be at 6 which would give them an automatic bid. Also having 3 big schools in the CHA would help out with people wanting to watch more.

 

[ARM]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Perennial powerhouse Mercyhurst is also a good team to play against if a team is looking to get nationally ranked - and OSU will get that chance 4 times in the CHA.

Ohio State has been nationally ranked in the past, so such a desire shouldn't fuel a change of conference. The Buckeyes' current schedule yields plenty of opportunities to get noticed, with at least 16 games versus ranked teams Wisconsin, UMD, UM, and UND. Unless one subscribes to some theory that the Lakers would be more attractive on the schedule because they'd be easier to beat, I don't see that particular reason going in the tOSU "CHA pros" column.

 

[hurstfan87]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Wouldn't travel costs be something to consider in changing conferences

 

[ARM]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Wouldn't travel costs be something to consider in changing conferences

Sure, but I think in the case of Ohio State, the actual travel rather than its cost might be a bigger consideration. The Buckeye athletic department budget is mega huge, so the amount they would save by reducing travel costs is minute by comparison. However, having to make so many long trips over the course of the season must take some physical toll on the players, and reducing that strain may provide more incentive to move than dollars.

 

[hurstfan87]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Yeah I guess the money doesn't matter but when the longest traveling they would have to do in the CHA is to Syracuse which is the shortest travel time in the WCHA. I think if Ohio State would move to the CHA then maybe Lindenwood would join the WCHA.

 

[WHKY blogger]

Yeah I guess the money doesn't matter but when the longest traveling they would have to do in the CHA is to Syracuse which is the shortest travel time in the WCHA. I think if Ohio State would move to the CHA then maybe Lindenwood would join the WCHA.

I think we may see Lindenwood and Moorhead in the WCHA before we see any movement to the CHA. Once the WCHA expands to 10 or more teams then OSU may see the CHA as a better fit for many of the reasons already discussed.

 

[hurstfan87]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Well maybe playing against Penn State every season would be another incentive for Ohio State to join the CHA.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Well maybe playing against Penn State every season would be another incentive for Ohio State to join the CHA.

Maybe. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by incentive. Is there something that would create more incentive for the Buckeyes to play Penn State than their current WCHA rivals? Are you talking easy wins?

 

[hurstfan87]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Not wins just maybe a rivalry that is bigger between them than it is between wisconsin and minnesota.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Not wins just maybe a rivalry that is bigger between them than it is between wisconsin and minnesota.

I see. Yup...nuthin' better than an intense natural rivalry.

 

[ARM]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Not wins just maybe a rivalry that is bigger between them than it is between wisconsin and minnesota.

There may be some sports where the OSU rivalry with PSU is greater, although they've shared a conference with UW and UM for decades longer, but nothing like their football rivalry with Michigan. As far as women's hockey goes, they have a dozen years invested in their WCHA rivalries, so I don't see a Nittany Lion rivalry surpassing those any time soon.

 

[D2D]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

As far as women's hockey goes, they have a dozen years invested in their WCHA rivalries, so I don't see a Nittany Lion rivalry surpassing those any time soon.

That and the fact they've had good success recruiting some very talented players from points west. A move to the CHA would make it more difficult to attract the area's top talent.

 

[high slot]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Sure, but I think in the case of Ohio State, the actual travel rather than its cost might be a bigger consideration. The Buckeye athletic department budget is mega huge, so the amount they would save by reducing travel costs is minute by comparison. However, having to make so many long trips over the course of the season must take some physical toll on the players, and reducing that strain may provide more incentive to move than dollars.

1000% accurate. With virtually every road trip by air, I would guess no women's hockey team in the country spends more time traveling. They have more chances for for mechanical and weather related delays and believe me there have been several grueling camp-outs at airports over the past few years.

Obviously, there are logistical reasons the CHA might be a better fit, but to me, that's the only benefit. I have heard absolutely zero internal talk about such a move. The new coach, however, may have other ideas. Who knows. On the other hand, playing the likes of MN, Wisco, UMD, and ND 4 times each year can't really be topped competitively and doesn't competitiveness drive most athletes and coaches? Maybe playing those schools regularly will blow 'ol Nate's mind.

 

[ARM]

Re: Impact (if any) of the Men's WCHA Breakup on the Women's WCHA?

Obviously, there are logistical reasons the CHA might be a better fit, but to me, that's the only benefit. I have heard absolutely zero internal talk about such a move. The new coach, however, may have other ideas. Who knows. On the other hand, playing the likes of MN, Wisco, UMD, and ND 4 times each year can't really be topped competitively and doesn't competitiveness drive most athletes and coaches?

I don't see a new coach joining the Buckeye athletic department and immediately lobbying for a new conference on the grounds that it will be provide easier competition. That would seem out of synch with the rest of the department, and may give the impression that they hired the wrong guy. Maybe down the road once he's established, but not right out of the gate.