People defend their schools for acting in their own best interest, as they should. Well, that's what Mankato did. The downtown businesses got badly hurt by the home and home thing. Instead of staying in the downtown hotels, eating in the restaurants, and frequenting the bars, they came for the game and went home, because it was only one game. Those businesses "mentioned" that their contributions to the program and university might have to be "adjusted" accordingly.
USCHO Fan Forum
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
-
The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.
Minnesota Cup
- Thread starter 4four4
- Start date
Runninwiththedogs
Tech Hot
I don't know why anyone would criticize Mankato for doing that. It makes perfect sense to me, and parallels part of my opposition to the farce discussed in this thread.
Ultimately tUMD is in a different position because the NCHC still has two high-caliber college hockey programs in DU and UND. No one who remains in the WCHA will have that status, so of course those schools would look to replace those matchups in their non-con schedule. I don't think this does.
If the Gophers scheduled one home series with another MN school and one away series with another MN school each year, and cycled through the schools that way, it would keep those relationships alive and would just plain make more sense.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Not financially it wouldn't, and it was explained above.
Re: Minnesota Cup
You're right. Only MSU should worry about other schools when they make decisions that are for the good of their own institution.
You're right. Only MSU should worry about other schools when they make decisions that are for the good of their own institution.
beersong
GO DOGS!
Re: Minnesota Cup
I think RWD nailed it that this issue is only really important for Mankato and Bemidji. SCSU and UMD will continue to bring in quality opponents every season during NCHC play so it's not as big of a deal. Personally, I don't really care if UMTC ever visits Duluth again because without playing each other consistently I think the "rivalry" factor will fade. The rivalries with UND and SCSU will intensify and fill that void.
I think RWD nailed it that this issue is only really important for Mankato and Bemidji. SCSU and UMD will continue to bring in quality opponents every season during NCHC play so it's not as big of a deal. Personally, I don't really care if UMTC ever visits Duluth again because without playing each other consistently I think the "rivalry" factor will fade. The rivalries with UND and SCSU will intensify and fill that void.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Then petition your program to pull out of the tournament. Believe me, we won't lose sleep over it either.
Let me ask you this. If the $$ from this tournament is as insignificant to UMD as you say, then why are they agreeing to travel to Mpls every year to participate in the tournament?
Maybe it will be significant? Maybe, like the UMN, they feel some obligation to assist Minnesota's smaller programs? Maybe a combination of both?
Whatever it is, I am sure it makes sense to UMD from some standpoint or they wouldn't be doing it.
Runninwiththedogs
Tech Hot
Re: Minnesota Cup
This is my feeling as well, although of course I'd be called many names if I said it. What little "rivalry" there is will not be sustained by occasionally playing UMTC. I am sure UND can fill the void for Bemidji as I'm sure they'll be scheduling games together. I don't know about Mankato, but again, there is no inherent value in playing an opponent if the games are almost never played in one's home arena.
However, I'll also state that, while I don't care if UMTC returns to tAA or not, I also don't want tUMD playing UMTC in MSP without a return trip. There is no reason to stay under UMTC's thumb once everyone has moved on to their new conferences.
This is my feeling as well, although of course I'd be called many names if I said it. What little "rivalry" there is will not be sustained by occasionally playing UMTC. I am sure UND can fill the void for Bemidji as I'm sure they'll be scheduling games together. I don't know about Mankato, but again, there is no inherent value in playing an opponent if the games are almost never played in one's home arena.
However, I'll also state that, while I don't care if UMTC returns to tAA or not, I also don't want tUMD playing UMTC in MSP without a return trip. There is no reason to stay under UMTC's thumb once everyone has moved on to their new conferences.
Slap Shot
I got nothing
Re: Minnesota Cup
It's not, but the program doesn't get to dictate how many road games they play the $chool does unfortunately.
As for the X being a home spot 1) The ice sheet is different 2) The other MN schools are not that far away and hold plenty of fans locally and 3) every non-Gophers fan in the building will be cheering against them.
Unlike at the Frozen Four Gophers fans don't dominate attendance at the X for this kind of setting like it would at Mariucci.
It's not, but the program doesn't get to dictate how many road games they play the $chool does unfortunately.
As for the X being a home spot 1) The ice sheet is different 2) The other MN schools are not that far away and hold plenty of fans locally and 3) every non-Gophers fan in the building will be cheering against them.
Unlike at the Frozen Four Gophers fans don't dominate attendance at the X for this kind of setting like it would at Mariucci.
Last edited:
Re: Minnesota Cup
If coaches determined the schedule without input from money-hungry school administrators, we'd probably have an 18-16 split (or 16-16-2 with the two being the Xcel tournament). I don't imagine Lucia is particularly thrilled to look at a schedule and see weak*** opponents that won't challenge his team at all and who will offer very little pairwise value in the end.
If coaches determined the schedule without input from money-hungry school administrators, we'd probably have an 18-16 split (or 16-16-2 with the two being the Xcel tournament). I don't imagine Lucia is particularly thrilled to look at a schedule and see weak*** opponents that won't challenge his team at all and who will offer very little pairwise value in the end.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
Agreed.
beersong
GO DOGS!
Re: Minnesota Cup
My post was directed at wanting (begging?) UMTC to visit their team's arena, not the new tournament. It makes no financial difference to UMD at this point in time (winning cures all) who the visiting team is. They sold out versus Alabama-Huntsville last weekend and are sold out versus Michigan Tech this coming weekend. Bemidji and Mankato need the UND's and UMTC's of the world to visit to sell out their barns. Watching a Mankato game on TV is depressing with all those blue and red seats.
As for obligation to help the smaller programs, UMD has played Bemidji more than any other WCHA team since they went D1. If anything, this little tourney will jeopardize their annual series unfortunately because they won't want to potentially meet 3 times.
My post was directed at wanting (begging?) UMTC to visit their team's arena, not the new tournament. It makes no financial difference to UMD at this point in time (winning cures all) who the visiting team is. They sold out versus Alabama-Huntsville last weekend and are sold out versus Michigan Tech this coming weekend. Bemidji and Mankato need the UND's and UMTC's of the world to visit to sell out their barns. Watching a Mankato game on TV is depressing with all those blue and red seats.
As for obligation to help the smaller programs, UMD has played Bemidji more than any other WCHA team since they went D1. If anything, this little tourney will jeopardize their annual series unfortunately because they won't want to potentially meet 3 times.
Last edited:
Isn't it? And it's only going to get worse.Watching a Mankato game on TV is depressing with all those blue and red seats.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
My post was directed at wanting (begging?) UMTC to visit their team's arena, not the new tournament. It makes no financial difference to UMD at this point in time (winning cures all) who the visiting team is. They sold out versus Alabama-Huntsville last weekend and are sold out versus Michigan Tech this coming weekend. Bemidji and Mankato need the UND's and UMTC's of the world to visit to sell out their barns. Watching a Mankato game on TV is depressing with all those blue and red seats.
As for obligation to help the smaller programs, UMD has played Bemidji more than any other WCHA team since they went D1. If anything, this little tourney will jeopardize their annual series unfortunately because they won't want to potentially meet 3 times.
I just find it hard to believe UMD is agreeing to play without anticipating some benefit to their program. I think it will be far more beneficial financially than some people are assuming.
Also, in regards, noticed this Tweet from Bruce Ciskie recently...
“@BruceCiskie: Seems like a safe bet that UMD will reach four sellouts on the season.”
So, UMD isn't selling out every game. Not saying they can't or won't, but what happens when they aren't playing so well? Just a question.
My point is, there is a reason they are getting involved. They aren't doing it without reason.
Re: Minnesota Cup
They are being flexible in a sense by taking two games away from Mariucci for this.
But let's get real. The hockey team is one of three money making athletic teams at the U. They shouldn't be expected to hurt their department on the whole just to satisfy a few small school athletic departments.
They are being flexible in a sense by taking two games away from Mariucci for this.
But let's get real. The hockey team is one of three money making athletic teams at the U. They shouldn't be expected to hurt their department on the whole just to satisfy a few small school athletic departments.
Re: Minnesota Cup
With an attitude like that we will see you cheering for the Gophers in the upcoming years. Sheez.
With an attitude like that we will see you cheering for the Gophers in the upcoming years. Sheez.
Re: Minnesota Cup
It might have been some brainstorming of ideas. Not sure if that will end up being true. There has been talk of the Gophers doing some home and home stuff with BC/BU... and then those teams would come west for a weekend series at Mariucci (BC one year, BU another year). Notre Dame is on the future schedule as well.
It might have been some brainstorming of ideas. Not sure if that will end up being true. There has been talk of the Gophers doing some home and home stuff with BC/BU... and then those teams would come west for a weekend series at Mariucci (BC one year, BU another year). Notre Dame is on the future schedule as well.
Re: Minnesota Cup
I may be in the minority on it but I wouldn't like what you propose from a Gopher perspective. One of the things I am most excited about in future years is having more scheduling flexibility in who we play. I want more variety than there has been.
I may be in the minority on it but I wouldn't like what you propose from a Gopher perspective. One of the things I am most excited about in future years is having more scheduling flexibility in who we play. I want more variety than there has been.
JDUBBS1280
MN Hockey Enthusiast
You're not in the minority.
Re: Minnesota Cup
I think the key phrase in your comments is "at this point in time". Let's be honest... a pretty new arena, a defending national title, and a good team in the moment aren't going to permanent realities. It's honeymoon time. Even then, its not like UMD is selling out all their games even now. If you are being real, you know Duluth is very much a bandwagon town. One of the few series each and every year that they could count on a packed house (in good years for UMD and in bad years for UMD) has been the Gophers.
Yes, UMD isn't going to be financially destroyed by any means without the Gophers at the DECC. But it's not reality based to think it won't have an impact on their bottom line. Same with SCSU. There is a reason Gopher game ticket prices command more of a premium than other games at these places.
I think the key phrase in your comments is "at this point in time". Let's be honest... a pretty new arena, a defending national title, and a good team in the moment aren't going to permanent realities. It's honeymoon time. Even then, its not like UMD is selling out all their games even now. If you are being real, you know Duluth is very much a bandwagon town. One of the few series each and every year that they could count on a packed house (in good years for UMD and in bad years for UMD) has been the Gophers.
Yes, UMD isn't going to be financially destroyed by any means without the Gophers at the DECC. But it's not reality based to think it won't have an impact on their bottom line. Same with SCSU. There is a reason Gopher game ticket prices command more of a premium than other games at these places.
Last edited: