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Minot State schedules exhibition games with NCAA teams

S

slowe

New member
“Two-time ACHA National Champion Minot State has signed a deal to play at reigning NCAA Division I and 9-time National Champion the University of Denver and at 2-time NCAA D-I National Champion Colorado College this coming December.”

The coach also mentions how it was Denver that approached Minot to set it up. Seems odd. I’d buy Minot approaching them if they were trying to make noise.

I don’t think this is a sign of bigger things to come. Still cool to see an ACHA team get a game with NCAA. That happens with a team already transitioning into the NCAA. Another example is Alaska scheduling a few with ACHA teams to give them some encouragement to move up. Also just to get some games in as a geographical outlier and independent. But this seems like a weird and unique case.
 
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Split-N said:
What's North Dakota State waiting for?
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Was just talking with 2 NDSU alumni last night about this. They could convert the Fargo Dome for games, have bragging rights over UND for arena size, or use Scheel's arena, where the Frozen Regionals are occasionally played. There are theories about UND Law School lawyers turned politicians prevent state funding of such for NDSU, not enough MN & ND recruits to make up a good team after UND & UM get the choice picks, NDSU club team had to fold once, NDSU needed to get to D1 in other sports first, etc......... But I think the reality right now is a very, very tight university budget for NDSU (& UND & other schools in the area).
 
Sol Diablo said:
...There are theories about UND Law School lawyers turned politicians prevent state funding of such for NDSU, not enough MN & ND recruits to make up a good team after UND & UM get the choice picks...
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I've always wondered if there was some sort of political or gentlemen's agreement that ceded D1 hockey to UND and FCS football to NDSU. But politics and tight university budgets aside, NDSU making the jump to D1 would produce an instant rivalry with UND that would rival the existing one with Minny. A Northern Plains version along the lines of BC/BU/Northeastern. Sounds like a win-win-win to me.
 
In my opinion, I would look out for UMary in Bismarck. Very successful club team, and if they could get Minot to go with them, who knows.

I can't see it happening at NDSU. NDSU is a football school first, and everything else is second fiddle.
 
IMO, a school in North/South Dakota would get a strong look from the CCHA as it would allow for a clear East/West split and they would have access to NC opponents. I don't know if the CCHA could handle another MSU though.

I agree NDSU would be ideal, but if they were going to make that move, they would have.
 
Lost_Husky said:
IMO, a school in North/South Dakota would get a strong look from the CCHA as it would allow for a clear East/West split and they would have access to NC opponents. I don't know if the CCHA could handle another MSU though.

I agree NDSU would be ideal, but if they were going to make that move, they would have.
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Nah, we would just see the NSIC schools break off and form their own league.

LOL, I know it isn't going to happen.
 
beaverhockeyfan said:
Nah, we would just see the NSIC schools break off and form their own league.

LOL, I know it isn't going to happen.
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LOL.

With the CCHA taking Augustana (still a headscratcher) and IF Minot St wanted to go D1, I won't see how the CCHA wouldn't be interested. Minot has a very similar school size and they actually have a successful hockey team/infrastructure. They are missing a new arena. Don Lucia has said he wants the CCHA to split into East and West divisions. This is all theoretical and I'm not saying I agree with any of it, but there is some potential there. Travel for the Eastern schools would suck, but if they only have to make the trip every other year (excluding playoffs) it wouldn't be that bad.
 
Lost_Husky said:
LOL.

With the CCHA taking Augustana (still a headscratcher) and IF Minot St wanted to go D1, I won't see how the CCHA wouldn't be interested. Minot has a very similar school size and they actually have a successful hockey team/infrastructure. They are missing a new arena. Don Lucia has said he wants the CCHA to split into East and West divisions. This is all theoretical and I'm not saying I agree with any of it, but there is some potential there. Travel for the Eastern schools would suck, but if they only have to make the trip every other year (excluding playoffs) it wouldn't be that bad.
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Both BG and Ferris were hard NFWs on Augustana. Lakers were on the fence. If it came to it, I'd expect a Minot vote to go the same way so they'd probably be in.
 
Lost_Husky said:
LOL.

With the CCHA taking Augustana (still a headscratcher) and IF Minot St wanted to go D1, I won't see how the CCHA wouldn't be interested. Minot has a very similar school size and they actually have a successful hockey team/infrastructure. They are missing a new arena. Don Lucia has said he wants the CCHA to split into East and West divisions. This is all theoretical and I'm not saying I agree with any of it, but there is some potential there. Travel for the Eastern schools would suck, but if they only have to make the trip every other year (excluding playoffs) it wouldn't be that bad.
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I don't know on the arena, the MAYSA looks more than adequate. Granted, they would be trying to get onto a schedule that already has an NAHL team, HS hockey, youth teams, figure skating and private events.

EDIT: It looks like the MSU Beavers already use that ice as well.

https://minotparks.com/maysa-arena/
 
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beaverhockeyfan said:
I don't know on the arena, the MAYSA looks more than adequate. Granted, they would be trying to get onto a schedule that already has an NAHL team, HS hockey, youth teams, figure skating and private events.

EDIT: It looks like the MSU Beavers already use that ice as well.

https://minotparks.com/maysa-arena/
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My take on arenas from the Chasing Mac podcast is that "adequate" isn't enough. I suspect that may be another reason Lindenwood is not being considered. While their rink is nice, it's also shared with the Blues. See LIU & all their weekday 3pm games this year & all UAH's problems sharing a barn.
 
I also think what's being overlooked in all this speculation is that Denver approached Minot. Not the other way around. If Minot was out seeking DI opponents (like UNLV has been), that gives the story more legs. I see this as DU just looking for another easy exhibition mid-season to jump start the second half.
 
moose97 said:
I also think what's being overlooked in all this speculation is that Denver approached Minot. Not the other way around. If Minot was out seeking DI opponents (like UNLV has been), that gives the story more legs. I see this as DU just looking for another easy exhibition mid-season to jump start the second half.
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I completely agree. Just thinking what that tenth CCHA team would look like. As the Chasing Mac Pod Boys said, a team in Wisconsin would be ideal. (As discussed in other threads the odds of that happening are between slim and none.)
 
Lost_Husky said:
I completely agree. Just thinking what that tenth CCHA team would look like. As the Chasing Mac Pod Boys said, a team in Wisconsin would be ideal. (As discussed in other threads the odds of that happening are between slim and none.)
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So why doesn't Wisconsin State University start a team??? Oh, wait.........never mind........ ;)
 
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